ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the evolution of clinical information systems and electronic health records (EHR) and shows how EHRs form the foundation of the care management platform. It examines critical success factors for EHRs and other foundational components and explores Next-generation EHR. Most implemented the system rapidly and planned to revisit the system after stabilization and optimize the EHR at a later time. EHRs automate many essential care delivery tasks, provide for the collection and storage of clinical data, and are critical to telling the patient’s story. For successful EHR deployment and value realization, understanding the organizational factors that drive adoption and mastery of the EHR, including the patient population, culture, care delivery model, teaching and research environment, and organizational strategic direction, is important. While many organizations viewed the EHR with great anticipation, many have been disappointed with the return on investment.
