Lessons learned during 15 years of clinical information system experience

This article describes lessons learned during an initial intensive care unit point-of-care clinical information system implementation and subsequent expansions to other units and hospitals in a multihospital healthcare delivery system. Although the implementation and expansions were primarily successful, lessons learned include developing a broad base of support, making decisions through consensus, addressing conflict when it occurs, keeping user expectations realistic, preparing for the change process, implementing the computer information system in stages, challenging existing work processes, viewing the implementation as a process, and choosing a project leader with outstanding communication and group process skills in addition to technical skills.