Question

Why do EHR Projects fail? Support your answer with an example of failed EHR project and explain the reasons for their failure.

Answer 1

Ans) An EHR can fail by creating user dissatisfaction with an EHR can lead to a number of problems including reduced productivity and an overall lack of buy-in to organizational goals as they relate to the EHR system.

• EHR dissatisfaction

An EHR can fail by creating user dissatisfaction with an EHR can lead to a number of problems including reduced productivity and an overall lack of buy-in to organizational goals as they relate to the EHR system.

When doctors were asked if their EHR investment was worth the effort, resources and cost, “no” was the reply given by nearly 79% of respondents in practices with more than 10 physicians.
73% of the largest practices would not purchase their current EHR system. The data show that 66% of internal medicine specialists would not purchase their current system. About 60% of respondents in family medicine would also make another EHR choice.
A study conducted by the Physician's Alliance of America showed that almost half of all EHR users feel less productive when using EHR.
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• Financial pressure
Failing to properly account for the costs and benefits of an EHR in the selection and planning phase can result in significant financial issues.  

65% of users say their EHR systems resulted in financial losses for the practice. About 43% of internists and other specialists/subspecialists outside of primary care characterized the losses as significant.
39 hospitals that recently invested in major EMR and revenue cycle system conversions, found “that increased expenses and slower patient volumes contributed to a median 10.1% decline in absolute operating cash flow and 6.1% reduction in days cash on hand in the install year.” However, the study did find that many hospitals were able to rebound from this downturn.

• Negative impact on clinical staff
EHR failures are also marked by lower job satisfaction, disruption in work flows and overall negative feelings toward the EHR’s role in the practice.

EHR use was tied to lower physician satisfaction as a result of the time spent on clerical tasks as well as higher rates of physician burnout.
A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine shows “for every hour physicians provide direct clinical face time to patients, nearly 2 additional hours is spent on EHR and desk work within the clinic day.” Further, outside office hours, “physicians spend another 1 to 2 hours of personal time each night doing additional computer and other clerical work.”
More than half of this survey's respondents reported their EHR was was the cause of a negative impact in their practice with regard to cost, productivity and efficiency.

• Security matters
EHRs that do not properly secure healthcare data or insufficient security protocols can result in massive financial losses and losses in consumer trust.

Health data breaches cost the U.S. healthcare industry an estimated $6.2 billion.
According to Solutionary, a data security company, the healthcare industry leads all U.S. industries, accounting for 88% of all ransomware attacks in U.S. industries.