Transforming Education for Electronic Health Record Implementation

Outcomes are an integral part of health care. Over the years, the educational team at the authors' hospital has sought effective, realistic options for electronic health record (EHR) training that ensures standardized documentation of patient data by nursing personnel. Thus, providers will have easily available access and clinicians will experience confidence in the proficiency of their skills to use the EHR. This article describes the transformation from an instructor-led classroom training plan into a focused clinician workflow training pathway using Benner's novice-to-expert model and Lowe's five Key Principles for Successful EHR Training. Multiple teaching strategies have been incorporated into the education plan, including a computer skills assessment test, an EHR proficiency tool, web-based training modules, clinical (or specialty) scenarios, followed by practice in learning laboratories. The educational plan has produced individualized EHR learning, confident nursing performance, and overall unit management satisfaction.