Lessons Learned from the Implementation of an Emergency Department Information System

Abstract

Clinical information systems are increasingly used in emergency departments across the English National Health Service. The implementation outcome is unpredictable and success is not guaranteed. This study identifies facilitating social and technical factors for implementing an Emergency Department Information System. This is a qualitative study, using interviews with 28 emergency department clinicians, administrators and managers. Project management documents, user guides, design blueprints and internal reports were also analysed. Lessons learned include the importance of acquiring an established, customised and user-friendly system, attracting funding, establishing communication channels between stakeholders, developing detailed implementation plans and tailored training programmes, investing in peer-support, and analysing the workflow impact of the system. Socio-technical factors, both in and out of the hospital, influenced the success of the implementation. By being systematic in addressing these socio-technical factors certain implementation barriers can be overcome.