How to Choose the Most Effective Electronic Medical Record for Nigerian Hospitals in 2023
How to Select an Electronic Medical Record in 7 Steps

Due to the lack of readiness on the part of many hospitals to computerize paper work, the acquisition of electronic medical records in Nigerian hospitals is low. When we say a hospital isn't ready, we mean that it doesn't have reliable electricity, won't share staff members' data subscriptions, doesn't have connectivity for all of the terminals inside the building, or doesn't have the money to buy an EMR. Even if you manage to get past this obstacle, there's a good chance you'll pick the wrong electronic medical records.

Also, a significant fraction of facilities with EMRs do not use them. Why? Many hospitals lack the proper channels to communicate the EMR issues they are facing, or their vendors don't fully comprehend these issues. Even after customers eventually voice their complaints, the vendor is in a bind, the program is out-of-date, or the EMR firm is preoccupied with something else that may be more beneficial and less time-consuming than updating the EMR. The medical facility just discards the program and keeps going. In some of Nigeria's most prestigious hospitals, the EMR they purchased is merely for show. You will be astounded to see their personnel lug paper files up and down the stairs given that they have access to network, constant electricity, and data subscriptions.

They hold out hope that they will eventually come with a better answer. When any EMR is suggested, the hospital management is distressed, cautious, and sceptical. They have not witnessed one in action. Before we ultimately met, this experience was occasionally repeated several times. You are regarded lucky if you only have to fall on your wrong hand once. As was already mentioned, numerous establishments have fallen victim and continue to make poor decisions. To get their hard-earned money back from unscrupulous EMR contractors, some hospital administrators have even gone so far as to call in the police authorities. So exercise caution. You'll probably get an EMR soon. In this nation, adoption is highly likely. The proper electronic medical record (EMR) can not only improve care in your facilities but also help you save time and money.

An electronic medical record is required. Healthcare professionals like you may automate every manual process and provide a digital replacement for paperwork with an EMR that can handle all of your patients, including HMO patients, and is flexible to match your present workflow. Get on reading. You will now be shown the procedures to take in order to pick the best electronic medical record for your institutions.

1. Determine the issues

   As the facility's director, you are knowledgeable about the state of the hospital, the challenges you encounter every day, and what your clients desire. If you've already implemented an electronic medical record, you are aware of its flaws. For the proper care of your patients, you could need software that directs your nurses and constantly reminds them of drug administration guidelines. Because the data are dispersed or impossible to reconcile, your HMO manager finds it challenging to match the treatment of your HMO patient with their bills or claims. Alternately, you desire automation that applies to HMOs as well as all patients. Or perhaps you are a busy doctor who has to block access to patient treatment histories and prescription information.

   When you are informed of the laboratory findings where you are, you wish to continue the treatment from anyplace. It is crucial that you identify the issue because doing so will help you decide which elements are absolutely necessary for running your hospital on a daily basis, before moving on to features that are not necessary but would be wonderful to have. When speaking with vendors of electronic medical records who can be sugar-coated, you don't want to be misled.

2. Engage Staff

   If you have access to IT staff, an IT partner, or an IT employee, involve them early on in the search of a software. Everyone who will be impacted by the need at your facility could be included to add a voice. If there are any current electronic medical records, they are the ones who access them and file the paperwork. They are aware of the flaws in your software, feel your anguish when you have to hunt down paper every time a patient arrives, and have to articulate their vision for workplace empowerment. Take note of their needs and add them strategically. They can be asked to try whatever you bring to the facility to see if it works..

3. Get Advice from other Doctors

   Talk to a coworker who use an EMR right now. Find out which electronic medical records they now use and what their experiences have been with various EMRs. Why did they discard the program they had been using? Ask them to call you on behalf of the EMR vendor representative that they are actively employing to oversee daily operations.

   You can also ask for assistance through the WhatsApp group of your association. And if you locate them online or are thinking about one of the seven electronic medical records we covered in the best 7 electronic medical records EMR for Nigerian hospitals in 2023, have a look at the company's stance, options, and values to see if they coincide. After thoroughly analyzing these providers' responses, their turnaround times. You will be aware of what is possible and comprehend your requirements in connection to what is available by thoroughly assessing the responses of these vendors, their response times, and the solution offers. Make a list of electronic medical records that can be used to improve your facility.

4. Request a demo.

   You get the opportunity to thoroughly examine each of the software items you have shortlisted, determine whether it can solve your company's problem, and ask any questions you may have during a demo or free trial. Depending on how much time you have and whether the software seller is cooperative, testing the product's capabilities may take up to a week. Instead, focus on one or two demos at once, planning specific workflows to test them out. Encourage staff feedback as well to acquire a complete picture of EMR operations. Decide who should attend each demo and make sure they are available to test the program. You need to have a clearer understanding of the contribution that each EMR may make to your facility. how they stack up against each other. We suggest that you plan ahead for each demo and create a list of standards or inquiries about your unique circumstances before a demo or free trial, which you may evaluate against. This will assist you in figuring out which software is ideal for your facility and how it stacks up against the competition. You should be able to make a decision based on these and decide whether to continue the buying procedure or not.

   Consider the issues your facility is trying to solve as well as the essential features. Testing the software's features, advantages, and usability is one technique to ensure it won't fail. If you have a boss to answer to, you can use this analysis to convince them of your option. Testing the software's features, advantages, and usability is one technique to ensure it won't fail. If you have a boss to answer to, you can use this analysis to convince them of your option.

5. Choose a spending limit.

   What is the maximum you can afford to spend for an electronic medical record? In general, it's a good idea to establish a range of what you can pay to launch the system and maintain it. The importance of sticking to your budget cannot be overstated. Plan for deployment costs, training costs, network connectivity, and ongoing data subscriptions based on what you learned from the demo and business requirements. Consider the amount your EMR vendor will charge in addition to any extra feature or update, unlike AjirMed, which has clear, uncomplicated price that includes every feature you desire in your setup and configuration. Also, if the cost of the EMR is considerable, be sure to plan for financial adjustment throughout the period necessary for adaptation.

6. Seek new advice

   Well, you are done with the demo. Fantastic! You must have selected an EMR by this point. Your medical colleagues are the best resources for guiding you toward wise choices and an EMR installation strategy for the software you have selected. Consult users of the EMR to learn about the software's shortcomings, the length of time needed to complete a treatment, productivity levels, and any inefficiencies in the current software. Even though a lot of software providers offer transient fixes for your hospital, don't select an EMR unless you are completely certain about the product. Examine the data provided by your professional colleagues. Also, make sure the implementation step is flawless and produces real results. Ask them once more if they utilize it regularly or if they are aware of a facility that does. Review steps 1, 3, and 4 again if you're unsure about the EMR.

7. Make your ultimate decision

   Create a training strategy that is appropriate. Choose the training option that will work best for you by asking your vendor about the training alternatives they offer and how much they cost. There are instructional pages with videos from several EMR vendors. You or your staff might be able to access real-time online tutorials while receiving remote support.

   To make sure that your team is knowledgeable about how to utilize the electronic medical record software, plan staff shifts to accommodate any training methods you find to be most effective for your institution. Plan for anyone who cannot attend basic training and consider if you will have qualified people to train new hires. Give sufficient instruction to avoid any major issues in the future. Without adequate training, the new electronic medical record's advantages could be lost, which could negatively impact patient satisfaction and make it challenging for staff to carry out their regular duties.

   Healthcare technology is always being updated. You should take advantage of the possibility that your EMR vendor will add one for you. Thus, be alert for any updates and pay attention to their messages. To guarantee that your workers can benefit from the newest features, you must also communicate this knowledge to them. Ask them questions and give them advice. But don't forget to inform the hospital staff about the reasons behind your choice of EMR and how it would assist in addressing various issues at the facility.

References

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