A large medical center that specializes in high-risk pregnancies is implementing an entire suite of clinical applications such as CPOE, barcode medication administration (BCMA), nursing documentation,

Question

data acquisition system to collect clinical data from cardiac and fetal monitors and ventilators, laboratory system, radiology system, PACS, and cardiology. It has a large, highly skilled, experienced IT team. The project team decided to go with a Big Bang go-live versus an incremental or phased approach. Which factor best supports this decision?

a. The Big Bang approach decreases the possibility of errors.
b. The incremental approach is best for hospitals with large IT departments.
c. The Big Bang approach minimizes overall productivity loss.
d. The incremental approach normally has lower implementation costs.

Answer 1

ANS: A
Big Bang decreases the possibility of errors because physicians do not have to use different workflows in different departments or units. Users also have high levels of support in the initial days. Big Bang will have a major impact on productivity initially with a gradual return to baseline. The incremental approach is best suited for organizations with small IT departments and minimal support personnel. It also typically will increase the overall costs of the project.