Implementation of the Nationwide Electronic Health Record System in Serbia: Challenges, Lessons Learned, and Early Outcomes
Objectives: Many countries around the world have recognized the need for using an electronic health record (EHR) system. However, there is limited literature that could serve as a guide during a lengthy and challenging process of planning, development, and implementation of the e-Health system. S...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Sestre Milosrdnice University hospital, Institute of Clinical Medical Research
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Acta Clinica Croatica |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/428512 |
| _version_ | 1797206550201237504 |
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| author | Berislav Vekić Filip Pilipović Viktorija Dragojević-Simić Rastko Živić Dragče Radovanović Nemanja Rančić |
| author_facet | Berislav Vekić Filip Pilipović Viktorija Dragojević-Simić Rastko Živić Dragče Radovanović Nemanja Rančić |
| author_sort | Berislav Vekić |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives: Many countries around the world have recognized the need for using an
electronic health record (EHR) system. However, there is limited literature that could serve as a guide
during a lengthy and challenging process of planning, development, and implementation of the e-Health
system. Since the EHR system was recently introduced in Serbia, the purpose of this communication is to
describe our experience and lessons learned along the way. Methods: The key personnel involved in the implementation
of the EHR system in Serbia that began in 2015 conducted in 2019 a retrospective narrative
review of the process and early outcomes. Results: An incremental approach in the planning, development,
and implementation of the nationwide EHR system was taken. The process was split into phases with
the gradual introduction of different regions of the country. The gradual shift from the existing to a new
workflow for the prospective users was also implemented. The significant milestones were the achievement
of quick legislative changes, the hiring of a professional team of experts in the field, the provision of timely
and appropriate information and training to prospective users, the close collaboration between the implementation
team and the Ministry of Health and mutual understanding of the aims and expectations, and
the flexibility in accepting the evolving nature of the process, goals, and the system model. Conclusions:
A successful implementation of the nationwide EHR system is feasible providing careful planning, the
assembly of a multi-disciplinary team, the use of a stepwise approach, the early and continued involvement
of the intended users, and the willingness to make adjustments along the way. The end-result sets the stage
for the reform of the health care system itself. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T09:08:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e899efc57d274b95869196fbca2c6473 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0353-9466 1333-9451 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T09:08:48Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Sestre Milosrdnice University hospital, Institute of Clinical Medical Research |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Acta Clinica Croatica |
| spelling | doaj.art-e899efc57d274b95869196fbca2c64732024-04-15T18:21:48ZengSestre Milosrdnice University hospital, Institute of Clinical Medical ResearchActa Clinica Croatica0353-94661333-94512022-01-0161.348849510.20471/acc.2022.61.03.14Implementation of the Nationwide Electronic Health Record System in Serbia: Challenges, Lessons Learned, and Early OutcomesBerislav Vekić0Filip Pilipović1Viktorija Dragojević-Simić2Rastko Živić3Dragče Radovanović4Nemanja Rančić5Department of Surgery, Clinical Centre “Dr Dragisa Misovic”, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, Belgrade, SerbiaInstitute for Orthopedic and Surgical Diseases „Banjica“, Belgrade, SerbiaCentre for Clinical Pharmacology, Military Medical Academy; Medical Faculty, University of Defence, Belgrade, SerbiaClinical Centre “Dr Dragisa Misovic”, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Kragujevac, Serbia, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kragujevac, SerbiaCentre for Clinical Pharmacology, Military Medical Academy; Medical Faculty, University of Defence, Belgrade, SerbiaObjectives: Many countries around the world have recognized the need for using an electronic health record (EHR) system. However, there is limited literature that could serve as a guide during a lengthy and challenging process of planning, development, and implementation of the e-Health system. Since the EHR system was recently introduced in Serbia, the purpose of this communication is to describe our experience and lessons learned along the way. Methods: The key personnel involved in the implementation of the EHR system in Serbia that began in 2015 conducted in 2019 a retrospective narrative review of the process and early outcomes. Results: An incremental approach in the planning, development, and implementation of the nationwide EHR system was taken. The process was split into phases with the gradual introduction of different regions of the country. The gradual shift from the existing to a new workflow for the prospective users was also implemented. The significant milestones were the achievement of quick legislative changes, the hiring of a professional team of experts in the field, the provision of timely and appropriate information and training to prospective users, the close collaboration between the implementation team and the Ministry of Health and mutual understanding of the aims and expectations, and the flexibility in accepting the evolving nature of the process, goals, and the system model. Conclusions: A successful implementation of the nationwide EHR system is feasible providing careful planning, the assembly of a multi-disciplinary team, the use of a stepwise approach, the early and continued involvement of the intended users, and the willingness to make adjustments along the way. The end-result sets the stage for the reform of the health care system itself.https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/428512Electronic Health Record (EHR) SystemE-health SystemElectronic Medical Records (EMR)Development and ImplementationSerbia |
| spellingShingle | Berislav Vekić Filip Pilipović Viktorija Dragojević-Simić Rastko Živić Dragče Radovanović Nemanja Rančić Implementation of the Nationwide Electronic Health Record System in Serbia: Challenges, Lessons Learned, and Early Outcomes Acta Clinica Croatica Electronic Health Record (EHR) System E-health System Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Development and Implementation Serbia |
| title | Implementation of the Nationwide Electronic Health Record System in Serbia: Challenges, Lessons Learned, and Early Outcomes |
| title_full | Implementation of the Nationwide Electronic Health Record System in Serbia: Challenges, Lessons Learned, and Early Outcomes |
| title_fullStr | Implementation of the Nationwide Electronic Health Record System in Serbia: Challenges, Lessons Learned, and Early Outcomes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Implementation of the Nationwide Electronic Health Record System in Serbia: Challenges, Lessons Learned, and Early Outcomes |
| title_short | Implementation of the Nationwide Electronic Health Record System in Serbia: Challenges, Lessons Learned, and Early Outcomes |
| title_sort | implementation of the nationwide electronic health record system in serbia challenges lessons learned and early outcomes |
| topic | Electronic Health Record (EHR) System E-health System Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Development and Implementation Serbia |
| url | https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/428512 |
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