Implementing computerized physician order management at a community hospital

In 2000, four community hospitals in the Cleveland Clinic Health System embarked on an electronic medical record (EMR) project to create an integrated information management environment and improve clinical decision making.

Executives and individuals from many departments and disciplines were organized into a project structure to launch the project, make decisions, and accomplish change management, which addressed communication, work-flow redesign, training, and support during transition to the new technology-enabled process.

In 1999, a small group of regional information technology (IT) leaders for four community hospitals operated by the Cleveland Clinic Health System in the East Region developed a project for the implementation of computerized physician order management (CPOM).

Huron Hospital, the first hospital selected for implementation, met its goals for a successful transition. After two pilots, implementation occurred on schedule and with a noticeable lack of major issues, both during rollout and thereafter. In addition, physician direct entry of orders reached the first-year goal of 40% physician entry in the first month and 75% within a year.

Ensuring success required a systematic approach to the foundations of change management--work-flow redesign, communication, training, and support--during the transition.