A Message from the CIO

It is difficult to believe it is already Fall of 2012 and that we are just nine and a half months away from activating Allscripts. Does that time frame sound familiar? This time will go by even faster than the last nine and a half months have gone by while we have been focusing on building the new system. This memo serves as a quick update on where we are with the project, what we have accomplished so far, and what is yet to come.

Accomplishments to date:

• Completed Current state analysis
  • This was the process where Allscripts, along with our clinicians and IS analysts, took a deep dive look into the way we currently utilize Meditech.
• Mostly completed with future state design (FSD).
  • That was the process of determining how the new product will function within our facility. This has been completed in most areas but there are still a few FSD sessions that need to occur.
• Partially completed with system build
  • This is the process of taking the information from the FSD sessions and actually building those processes into the system. This has been completed in some areas but is just beginning in others.
• Partially completed with validation.
  • Once the modules in Allscripts are built, we need to validate that the information is correct. One example of this is our drug formulary, another is orderable items. This has been completed for some areas and we are finalizing it in other areas.

Things to Come:

• System Testing
  • There will be three main parts to system testing
    • UNIT TESTING: This will include testing of each individual module and will mostly involve the IS analysts.
    • FUNCTIONAL TESTING: This will include testing all modules working together and will involve the IS analysts and the departmental subject matter experts.
    • INTEGRATED TESTING: This will include testing workflows from end to end and will include the departmental subject matter experts and end users.
  • Testing will begin in October and will go on until March/April time frame.
• System Training
  • We are finalizing plans for end user training.
    • Training will mostly be facilitated through computer based training.
    • We are trying to get all training scheduled as close to activation as possible to increase training retention.
• System Activation
  • We have just begun planning for system activation.
  • Support for staff and physicians will be the focus of activation planning and we are working on that model now.

There have been some questions come up lately that I hope to be able to provide answers for. Several of them related to interaction with your department. "There was a lot of activity for a while but now no one is here anymore, what's going on? Are we still working on this thing?" YES, we are still working! What has happened by now in most areas is that there was a lot of activity during current state analysis and future state analysis, and now the analysts are working on building the system. Some of you and your teams will get engaged again during testing, but most will not get engaged again until training begins.

Once again I cannot tell you how impressive the level of commitment is from every area of this organization. KUDOS go out to Sharon Smith from nursing for her leadership in this engagement. And a very special recognition to Dr. Sanders as he works with the physician group building order sets for each of the medicine departments. Look for more updates as we progress.

Thank you,

Bill