Slash EHR Training Costs: The Power of Online Learning
High staff turnover is a major headache for hospitals. Replacing and training new physicians, nurses, and medical assistants burns a significant hole in your budget. Traditional in-person EHR training, often requiring 6-8 hours per user, further strains already stretched IT and training teams.
But there's a better way. Here's how incorporating online EHR learning into your training strategy can be a game-changer for your bottom line.
The Cost-Cutting Power of Online Learning
Reduced In-Person Training: Online modules handle the fundamentals of the EHR system. This frees up your team to focus on more specialized, in-person training sessions. Less in-person training translates to direct cost savings – think fewer trainer hours, less scheduling complexity, and potentially reduced space needs.
Eliminate Costly Content Development: Pre-built online modules eliminate the need for your team to invest precious time and resources in developing their own content. You're leveraging expertise that's already been created, saving development costs.
Streamlined Onboarding: New hires can begin learning the EHR system before their first day. This reduces the amount of in-person training needed upon arrival, further minimizing costs.
Reduced Maintenance: Keeping EHR training content up-to-date is crucial. Partnering with an online learning provider removes this burden from your IT team, saving them valuable time and eliminating the need for additional resources to manage updates.
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
Studies show that online training can reduce the need for in-person training by 50% or more. Let's translate that into real savings. Imagine a new cohort of 10 nurses requiring 8 hours each of in-person training. By incorporating online modules, you could potentially cut that in-person time in half, saving your organization countless hours and associated costs.
Beyond Cost Savings: A Ripple Effect of Benefits
The advantages of online learning extend beyond immediate cost savings:
Increased Efficiency: Streamlined training translates to faster onboarding, allowing new staff to become productive members of your team sooner. You can even use online training to prepare new team members before they arrive at the hospital, so they can hit the ground running.
Reduced Turnover: Effective training leads to a more confident and proficient workforce, which can contribute to higher job satisfaction and potentially lower turnover rates. This translates to significant cost savings, with research showing it now costs about $56,000* to replace a single RN.
Invest in a Smarter Training Strategy
By incorporating online learning for new EHR users, you unlock a treasure trove of cost savings and improve your overall training ROI. Your team can focus on higher-level objectives, while ensuring all users receive the fundamental knowledge they need to be successful. It's a win-win for your budget and your workforce.
* 2024 NSI National Health Care Retention & RN Staffing Report