Difficulty in Achieving Paperless Environment - Essay Example

"Difficulty in Achieving Paperless Environment" is an inspiring example of a paper on the health system. It has been a challenge to achieve positive results of a paperless environment in the healthcare sector because the implementation of IT projects always attracts resistance from the organization, especially the employees (Ngafeeson, 2014). The change to a paperless environment is like a typical transformation in an organization where people always question the need for change and its implications for their work or normal lives. The underlying assumption is that realization of the best results requires change and benefits to sustain the proposed changes. Change resistance is the main reason why it has been difficult realizing the benefits of a paperless environment though there are specific reasons as to why the healthcare professionals are not fully implementing the data management strategy. Firstly, clinical attitudes, as well as user acceptance, have been major hindrances to the implementation of paperless health records (Ngafeeson, 2014). Users or patients have not fully accepted the use of paperless records because they are worried about the extent to which their private details remain confidential in the hospitals.

On the other hand, some patients have resentment for the data management approach because they are used to the traditional methods of doing things. Clinical attitude is also to blame for the failure in creating complete paperless environments because automation of tasks leaves some staff jobless. Ngafeeson (2014) argues that it is always difficult to manage the changing job responsibilities and roles of the staff with Health Information Services. Moreover, senior management often shows less dedication and commitment to implementing e-health projects despite being responsible for supporting paperless healthcare record initiatives. In some cases, paperless environment results in data entry and quality issues, a situation that has made users object adoption of the electronic healthcare recording (Ngafeeson 2014)

What steps can be taken to improve benefits realization?

            The first step to improving the realization of the paperless environments in healthcare organizations is the evaluation of the benefits as well as difficulties of the electronic healthcare management approach (Ngafeeson 2014). The process ensures that implementation of the project respects the dignities of all consumers, a step that makes sure that healthcare providers deliver the outcomes effectively for users to enjoy. Consultation with the relevant stakeholders is also necessary since they help in identifying efficient and suitable electronic healthcare record systems. In this case, the step ensures that the particular electronic record system suits the needs of the individual patients. Another useful step in implementing IT projects is the development of specifications that involves administrative, clinical and planning uses by identifying data items (Ngafeeson 2014). The specifications are necessary for identifying critical components of the system, paying keen attention to the work in progress, as well as seeking crucial advice from useful sources.

            Moreover, it is vital to carry out a description of the necessary building blocks needed for the paperless environment to be efficient and for the system to operate (Ngafeeson 2014). The step involves identifying issues like security or authentication, record linkage, messaging, telecommunications, and coding. In addition, the senior management must review the progress, a step that involves evaluating the amount of progress made so far and also entails planning additional work programs. During the progress review stage, the executive management seeks to find out if there is a need for new work partnerships, a step where the team document areas that require improvement. Most important, it is necessary to train the staff prior to the implementation of the system because the step ensures that there is a smooth transition into new responsibilities(Ngafeeson 2014).