Transition to new patient records could cause chaos

Over 290 municipalities are facing a massive digital modernisation with the implementation of new electronic patient records (EPR). Experience from the Helseplattformen system in Central Norway highlights the challenges such processes can present.

Criticism of the platform has shown that poor systems can threaten patient safety, and the Office of the Auditor General has already strongly criticised the available solutions.

A key challenge is that few suppliers can provide these systems in Norway. While several options exist internationally, they require adaptation to meet Norwegian conditions. This could lead to capacity issues when hundreds of municipalities undertake procurement simultaneously. Larger municipalities may be prioritised, while smaller ones risk falling behind.

The market may also become dominated by a few players, limiting innovation and driving up costs.

Municipalities have coordinated their procurement through regional cooperation and recommendations from KS (the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities), but implementation varies. Even within the same region, rollouts occur at different speed, creating fragmented delivery. This can lead to delays, quality issues, and inefficiencies.

To ensure a smooth transition to new systems, municipalities must coordinate more effectively, and suppliers need greater predictability.

Three measures are essential for successful implementation:

• Coordinated implementation:
  

  Municipalities must commit to a common start-up plan. Regional collaboration will ensure a streamlined process with shared resources, training, and support functions. A unified methodology and milestone plan will provide predictability and reduce the risk of inefficient system adaptation.

• Predictability for suppliers:
  

  Structured implementation plans must be developed early in the process so that suppliers can plan their capacity and resources. This includes agreeing on an implementation schedule with set start dates during the procurement phase and coordinating technical integration across municipalities. A joint steering group can ensure adherence to the plan.

• Structured knowledge sharing:
  Municipalities that implement first should systematically share their experiences. A national knowledge-sharing portal and regular meetings can help municipalities learn from one another and avoid pitfalls during implementation.

Norwegian municipalities are facing one of the largest digital modernisations in the healthcare sector. A successful transition requires more than just good procurement - it demands coordination between municipalities, suppliers, and authorities.

By planning together, giving suppliers the necessary space to deliver, and systematically sharing experiences, we can ensure a safe, efficient, and sustainable digitalisation of municipal healthcare services in Norway.

Read the article in Norwegian.