A Process Model Leading to Successful Implementation of Electronic Health Record Systems

Abstract

The implementation of electronic health record (EHR) systems presents a number of difficult challenges for practitioners. Until now, no study in the Information Systems discipline has rigorously examined these challenges. This paper proposes a process model of the factors leading to successful implementation of EHR systems. The process is composed of three stages: pre-implementation, implementation, and post-implementation. Each stage involves specific factors which are based on the system development life cycle theory, the general systems theory, and the contingency model. These theories are also used to validate the model. A quantitative tool based on the maximised expected payoffs is used to assess the model and demonstrate its usefulness for best practices. The implications for both researchers and practitioners are discussed. Keywords: EHR implementation; critical success factors; healthcare information systems; electronic health record systems; process model; meaningful use; monitoring.