ALLENTOWN, PA – As part of an ongoing ambulatory electronic medical record deployment, the Lehigh Valley Health Network in eastern Pennsylvania is refining its EMR training processes.

Greencastle Consulting, a project management and consulting services firm based in Malvern, Penn., will develop a customized training process for the health system.

"At Lehigh Valley, we're constantly evaluating and improving our implementation efforts in regards to the rollout of the ambulatory EMR. This is important as we move toward enterprise-wide ambulatory charting," said Lori Yackanicz, director of clinical applications and EMR at Lehigh Valley. "We brought in Greencastle to refine our training strategy and processes because we wanted outside objectivity and EMR experience. We already had a relationship with Greencastle based on a previous engagement – a PMO (project management office) initiative."

Greencastle will provide a range of services, including assessment, design, evaluation and refinement of training plans to the remaining practices (approximately 1,000 physicians) that are implementing an EMR.  Lehigh Valley had previously implemented the EMR at 25 practices.
 
"We're honored to be partnering with one of the region's most prestigious healthcare organizations on such a critical project," said Jacob Kretzing, a senior partner at Greencastle. "The Lehigh Valley team is a very forward-looking, sophisticated group. We expect that this will be a true collaboration that's mutually beneficial."

During phase one, Greencastle will work with Lehigh Valley trainers to conduct EMR-focused assessments at two or more medical practices. The consulting firm will use Web-based surveys to gather anonymous input and recommendations

"We're hoping to remove some of the turmoil involved for our physician practices with the implementation of an electronic medical record," said Yackanicz. "If we could help our providers avoid having to temporarily drop their patient volumes at go-live, for example, that would be a win-win. So far, we've been impressed with Greencastle's approach, their openness and their understanding of the challenges EMR transitions present."

During the second phase Greencastle will develop a comprehensive training plan that will enhance the training process during the EMR implementation and identify remedial trainings that need to occur post go-live. This system-wide plan will cover all training topics, delivery methods, times, participants, standards and expected outcomes. At the end-user level, the training plan will be designed to promote confidence that training needs will be met and that the plan will adapt as requirements for the system change.