We go into Pre-install on our new Patient Care Module on Monday

Specialties Informatics

Published

I'm feeling a bit (okay, extremely) trepidatious about this.

I am the project manager and am leading the team of nurses who, with me and the vendor reps, will be building the care plans, flow charts, assessments, etc. that go into it.

I have led projects before, but they were always in much bigger facilities with a lot more money. Our annual budget is a roll of duct tape and what grants we can scrounge. Just today a router failed and we don't have $25k to replace it should it become necessary.

I also knew the front-ends inside out. I don't on this system. This will be replacing an extant older version, but the data will NOT be flowing as it did, from Java to the AS/400, but reside exclusively in Jave. Well, that's great, but our entire back-end financial system, same vendor, is still on the 400 and I have real concerns about integration, as we were just told that existing patient information will not automatically flow, and will not be converted, either.

Anyone have any tips for me?

And thanks. This is the reason I was hired. I'm not worried that I won;t meet their expectations, but I'd like to exceed my own.

:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh, and their last implementation was extremely sloppy. They forgot to set certain defaults, data was suspect for weeks, things did not flow as they should have - and we are NOT a beta site. Is it unreasonable that they would send a patch as they discover bugs, and not wait for the customer to notice?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Oh, and their last implementation was extremely sloppy. They forgot to set certain defaults, data was suspect for weeks, things did not flow as they should have - and we are NOT a beta site. Is it unreasonable that they would send a patch as they discover bugs, and not wait for the customer to notice?

It's been my experience that most vendors do not patch anything until it is brought to their attention. Even if it is, I usually only see them postpone it for a larger scheduled patch date unless the bug is so bad that their customers are extremely ******. I am referring to their BIG MONEY customers only.

I'd offer you advice but I am just a code monkey. Project management is not something I am familiar with. Don't you love how implementing new hardware or software solutions is like a blind date. Can be the love of your life or get real ugly real quick.

Our IT Director and me were able to convince our CEO to let us build an in-house system as we weren't really impressed with any of the available options in their price range. Of course, we have to do it for free, but I am hoping this will be a great push into informatics.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I hate "project management." I have developed, installed, coded, tested, and supported programs from the idea to the reality, but I *hate* this aspect of systems. Right now I'm writing "COYA" documents - cover your butt.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Informatics, Education, and Oncology.

FYI the acronym is "CYA". I heard it for the first time some 23 years ago when I was a nursing student. I have also heard and seen "CYOA" Cover your own a____

I hate "project management." I have developed, installed, coded, tested, and supported programs from the idea to the reality, but I *hate* this aspect of systems. Right now I'm writing "COYA" documents - cover your butt.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Informatics, Education, and Oncology.

I hear your concerns related to historical implementations............. I'd suggest staying focused on the here and now and what you have control over.

The "expectations" you need to meet should be clearly documented in your project charter and project plan. You may need to "manager" your own expectations.

As clinicians practicing in IT we sometimes become overly passionate and loose our objectivity and perspective. Project Management (and to a greater extent Healthcare IT) is not Critical Care, this is not a code blue situation. No one's heart has stopped beating and no one has gone into cardiac arrest! The situtation may be annoying and not have as successful an outcome as you would have liked but again NO ONE IS DIEING! Keep your perspective. Leave the passion to the pure clinicians and get the project completed.........get the job done.

At minimum your role as Project Manager is to:

•facilitate the project's, I.S.'s and the organization's goals and objectives.

•identify and manage project issues, stakeholders’ expectations, risks, timelines, project deliverables and outcomes while ensuring quality and avoiding scope creep.

Your "concerns" related to integration issues should be communicated to your CIO and you should then take his/her direction on the proper method(s) of escalation.

Last but not least. Remember project management is like eating an elephant.

How do we eat an elephant? One bite at a time!

Good Luck!

I'm feeling a bit (okay, extremely) trepidatious about this.

I am the project manager and am leading the team of nurses who, with me and the vendor reps, will be building the care plans, flow charts, assessments, etc. that go into it.

I have led projects before, but they were always in much bigger facilities with a lot more money. Our annual budget is a roll of duct tape and what grants we can scrounge. Just today a router failed and we don't have $25k to replace it should it become necessary.

I also knew the front-ends inside out. I don't on this system. This will be replacing an extant older version, but the data will NOT be flowing as it did, from Java to the AS/400, but reside exclusively in Jave. Well, that's great, but our entire back-end financial system, same vendor, is still on the 400 and I have real concerns about integration, as we were just told that existing patient information will not automatically flow, and will not be converted, either.

Anyone have any tips for me?

And thanks. This is the reason I was hired. I'm not worried that I won;t meet their expectations, but I'd like to exceed my own.

:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks, Angela.

BTW, I know it's actually CYA. I was using it as we say it.

:)

And Monday, it begins!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Can I ask what system you are building on? It sound a lot like we are dealing with at my facility.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Can I ask what system you are building on? It sound a lot like we are dealing with at my facility.

HMS. Do you use it? It's geared more to the smaller facility that can't afford Meditech.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes, We do use HMS. We are currently working on our build of Pt Care Notes. We have been having some of these same discussions. Our go live date is in December so we are begining to feel the pressure. I am not taking the lead on this build as I am the lead for Radiology, Lab, Patient Accounting, Surgery, Scheduling, Clinical View, eMAR, CPOE, Pharmacy, Materials, HIM and Order Entry which we went live with in November. We are a 25 bed critical access hospital with 4 outlying clinics and Homcare. I hear that the Expo they are having in October is a great chance to meet other user, get questions answered and take some classes. I am logged onto their WIKI and plan to attend.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would love to attend but our go-live date is 10/15.

We're a 15-bed CAH with an OP clinic, 84 bed SNF, and amb surg unit.

We've been with them for years but I started in Feb and man! I thank Heaven for my boss, who knows where all the numbers are buried.

We have a team from HMS that seems seriously better than the folks we had for the Clinical View install. I'm hoping it goes smoothly.

Hey, feel free to PM or email me. It's great to "meet" another HMS user.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh, I wanted to say that it sounds like your plate is full!

How many IT folks in your shop?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment