CEHRS EHR Implementation and Project Management 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During EHR implementation, a 'super user' is best described as:
- A vendor representative who installs the system
- A highly trained end-user who supports colleagues during go-live (Correct answer)
- The project manager overseeing the entire rollout
- An IT administrator with full database access
Correct answer: A highly trained end-user who supports colleagues during go-live
Super users are staff members with advanced EHR training who serve as first-line support for their peers during and after go-live.
Question 2: Which risk mitigation strategy involves maintaining the legacy system operational while the new EHR runs in parallel?
- Phased rollout
- Parallel operation (Correct answer)
- Big bang implementation
- Pilot testing
Correct answer: Parallel operation
Parallel operation runs both the old and new systems simultaneously to reduce risk, allowing staff to cross-verify data before full cutover.
Question 3: A gap analysis during EHR implementation is used to:
- Identify differences between current workflows and the new system's capabilities (Correct answer)
- Measure the physical space required for new hardware
- Calculate the financial gap between budget and actual costs
- Assess staff satisfaction with the old system
Correct answer: Identify differences between current workflows and the new system's capabilities
Gap analysis compares existing workflows and processes against what the new EHR system offers, revealing areas that need configuration, training, or workflow redesign.
Question 4: Which document formally authorizes a project manager to use organizational resources for an EHR implementation?
- Statement of work
- Project charter (Correct answer)
- Implementation timeline
- Memorandum of understanding
Correct answer: Project charter
The project charter is the formal document that authorizes the project and grants the project manager authority to allocate resources.
Question 5: In EHR project management, 'scope creep' refers to:
- A slowdown in system performance after go-live
- Unauthorized expansion of project requirements beyond original specifications (Correct answer)
- Gradual staff resistance to the new system
- Budget overruns caused by vendor price increases
Correct answer: Unauthorized expansion of project requirements beyond original specifications
Scope creep occurs when new features or requirements are added without formal change control, threatening timelines and budgets.
Question 6: Which federal program provided financial incentives to encourage eligible providers to adopt certified EHR technology?
- HIPAA Security Rule
- Meaningful Use / Promoting Interoperability (Correct answer)
- HITECH Breach Notification Rule
- MACRA Quality Payment Program
Correct answer: Meaningful Use / Promoting Interoperability
The Meaningful Use program (later renamed Promoting Interoperability) under HITECH provided Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments for adopting and demonstrating meaningful use of certified EHR technology.
Question 7: A Gantt chart is primarily used in EHR project management to:
- Visualize project tasks and their scheduled durations over time (Correct answer)
- Track budget expenditures against projections
- Document clinical workflow changes
- Map data fields between legacy and new systems
Correct answer: Visualize project tasks and their scheduled durations over time
A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart that displays project tasks along a timeline, showing start dates, durations, dependencies, and milestones.
CEHRS EHR Implementation and Project Management 4
During EHR implementation, a 'super user' is best described as: