National Spine Network

NSN Implementation Strategy: Minimize Business Risk

Too often, the introduction of new technology is an all-or-nothing proposition that presents excessive risk to the business operations of a practice. One of NSN’s principal requirements was to develop a strategy that mitigated risk to the practice during implementation. Regardless of your objectives, NSN will work with you to develop a phased implementation plan that minimizes both your investment and any disruption to your practice. Your implementation plan will be predicated on a series of successes. You will only need to purchase additional hardware when it becomes necessary and beneficial to you.

SpineChart implementations are broken down into a separate plan for each physician in the practice. Within each physician plan, a series of steps are taken to gradually introduce the system to the staff and the physician.

Arguably, the most important step in any successful project is the choice of the members of the project team. Team member functions are described below.

The Project Coordinator

Within your practice, you will appoint a Project Coordinator. The Project Coordinator should be an administrative or clinical staff person who is well respected by both the physicians and staff within the practice. The Project Coordinator doesn’t have to be a computer expert; however, she or he should be comfortable using a PC. The Project Coordinator must be someone who wants the responsibility associated with the project, has good interpersonal skills and can be expected to complete tasks with a minimum of supervision.

Lead Physician

The Lead Physician is the first physician in the practice to use SpineChart. He/she should be a well respected physician in the practice who has a demonstrated interest in using information technology to improve the effectiveness of the practice and who is willing to spend her or his time to learn and use the system effectively. The Lead Physician need not be the most senior physician in the practice; however, the Lead Physician will be responsible for making decisions on behalf of the practice.

NSN Representative

NSN will assign a project team member to the implementation team. This person will provide the project with project management skills and knowledge of SpineChart and its implementation in other practices.

Each physician who wishes to use SpineChart will need to complete the online survey before NSN can work with your practice Project Coordinator to develop an implementation plan.