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How do we conduct a readiness assessment?

When choosing to implement health IT, health center administrators should already have a general understanding of their current environment from a readiness perspective.  Tools to assess readiness can be used to help answer and address any residual questions. By completing a readiness assessment, health centers are taking a major step in identifying where current gaps exist and what steps need to be taken to mitigate these gaps. Several of these tools require assessments of health centers, which include culture, leadership models, staff aptitude with computer applications, existing resources and IT infrastructure, to help guide future decisions regarding health IT adoption and implementation.  

Resources:

• Community Clinic EHR Readiness Assessment Tool (PDF - 68 KB)   - This resource is a multi sheet Excel workbook with comprehensive list of information that needs to be gathered to assist in setting up an EMR
• Practice Readiness Assessment Form (DOC - 208KB)   – Developed by DOQ-IT, this resource guides an organization to assess readiness for health IT adoption.

Additional Reading:

• eHealthWV   - Web site developed by the state of West Virginia to give an overview of electronic health records with resources for consumers and physicians.
• Assessing Your Practice: The Green Book, Dartmouth College, 2004 (PDF - 961 KB)   - A complete workbook that provides an organized, locally adaptable method to assist practices in collecting information and data to identify opportunities which can lead to significant improvements that improve patient care, outcomes, and staff work life.  This tool is not specifically focused on EMR adoption. (2004)