Understanding the Importance of EHR Training for Senior Living Staff

It's easy to get caught up in the technical details when launching a new electronic health record (EHR) system. You need to ensure that all your senior living software integrates seamlessly, migrate data, and much more. But don't forget about the human element of EHR. Your staff members play a pivotal role in the success or failure of your implementation process.  

Without adequate preparation, your carefully planned EHR transition could quickly become a major headache. Your team might feel frustrated if they can’t navigate the software or make dangerous mistakes while handling resident data. Providing EHR training ensures that your team has the knowledge and skills they need to hit the ground running with the new technology. 

Why Training Is So Important When Implementing EHR Software

The mere thought of attending staff training sessions fills many healthcare industry workers with annoyance and dread. Caregivers may have viewed past training as boring, irrelevant, or unnecessary. Or they might resent the disruption to their regular work routine. 

However, when it comes to implementing a new EHR system, training isn’t just another box to check. To keep residents safe, staff members must learn to use EHR software appropriately and efficiently. Here are five reasons why an EHR training program is essential. 

1. Optimize Your EHR Use 

Get the most out of your new technology by teaching your team to go beyond basic EHR functions like data entry. For instance, you can use Eldermark's ServiceMinder EHR software to create custom dashboards for each resident. These customized interfaces allow caregivers to quickly view and update care plans in real time from any authorized device with an internet connection. 

Here are other advanced EHR features you can train your staff to use: 

• Create customized forms for move-in assessments 
• Set up automated alerts for bandage changes, medication administration, and other services
• Use data analytics to track trends in resident health information, such as flu infection rates and fall incidents 

2. Empower Your Team 

It’s normal to feel a bit nervous or overwhelmed when using new software. Caregivers might worry that they'll click the wrong button and accidentally delete a resident's electronic medical records (EMR). Or they might feel anxious about not knowing how to navigate the system while caring for residents. 

These concerns are valid, but EHR training will help your team members overcome their fears. They’ll learn the ins and outs of the system, including essential processes like: 

• Backing up and recovering data
• Creating and editing documentation 
• Sharing information with healthcare providers 
• Retrieving specific files
• Generating reports 
• Complying with government standards for data privacy and meaningful use 

Staff will also gain hands-on experience as they practice using the technology for real-world scenarios. This training will give them the confidence to use the new EHR in their daily routines. 

3. Improve Staff Productivity

Senior living communities often implement EHR to boost staff efficiency and decrease stress. Without the proper training, though, the new software may have the opposite effect. For instance, untrained caregivers might waste time clicking through the platform to figure out how to create a report or print a care plan.

An EHR training plan teaches staff how to use the software efficiently. They can learn the exact sequence of buttons to click to complete each task, streamlining workflows. Many EHR systems also allow users to automate routine tasks to save time and reduce workloads. 

4. Prevent Medical Errors 

Everyone makes mistakes when learning new technology. For example, staff might input data into the wrong space on a digital form or forget to record an unscheduled service in the system. EHR training gives caregivers a safe, low-pressure environment to experiment with the new software before your go-live date. 

Caregivers who participate in training learn how to avoid recreating their mistakes when using EHR with residents. They can also recognize errors and omissions and correct them immediately. 

5. Increase Staff Buy-In 

In an ideal world, everyone on your team would feel enthusiastic and excited about EHR implementation. But employees often resist organizational change, especially if it involves new technologies. Your staff may feel anxious, annoyed, or stressed out. 

EHR training can help team members feel more invested in the transition to EHR. They can learn how the new software will improve their work life and enable them to deliver better, more patient-centered care. Additionally, staff are less likely to resist EHR adoption if they feel comfortable using the technology. 

EHR Training Strategies & Tips

Organizing EHR training doesn’t have to be complex or expensive. Follow these steps to set your team up for success.

Choose an EHR Vendor That Offers Training Support 

Simplify the training process by selecting an EHR vendor that provides educational resources. For instance, Eldermark’s training team offers in-person or virtual sessions to help staff learn the ropes of your new EHR system. Our website also offers hundreds of online courses on every aspect of the software so caregivers can complete additional training as needed. 

Embrace the Super User Training Model 

Ease your EHR transition by appointing some staff members as super users. These tech-savvy professionals receive comprehensive training so they can offer support to their colleagues beyond the training courses. Super users troubleshoot issues, give advice, and teach useful shortcuts. 

Offer Certification 

The National Healthcareer Association offers the Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist credential for professionals working in senior living and other areas of medical practice. This certification exam can help your staff take their health information management skills to the next level. 

Support Your Team With Eldermark’s ServiceMinder EHR

Give your staff members the tools to thrive with Eldermark’s ServiceMinder. Our EHR software is designed to streamline senior living workflows and simplify caregivers’ to-do lists. This technology also automates numerous tasks to reduce errors and enhance efficiency. 

Eldermark offers comprehensive training to make your EHR implementation process easy and low-stress. Our Training Center has accessible and quick modules on every part of the EHR system. Our experienced team is also on hand to provide friendly guidance and support. 

Set up a free demo and discover how Eldermark can empower senior living staff, optimize workflows, and improve resident care.