¶ … Health Information Technology Systems Life Cycle or HIT systems life cycle has several broad categories. One such broad category is EHR or electronic health records. EHRs are patient-centered, real-time records. They allow users to get information instantly wherever and whenever it is needed. Simply put, EHRs are computerized, digital versions of a patient's paper charts. EHRs contain the medications, radiology images, test and lab results, immunization dates, medical history of a patient and offers access as well to evidence-based tools a provider may use to make decisions concerning a patient's care. Not only does it offer streamlining and automation of the providers' workflow, it also increases accuracy and organization of patient information. Security and maintenance is the end phase of any basic system development life cycle. The entire process is used to recognize, examine, and design information systems (Vallette & Caldwell, 2013). In order to aid in accomplishing such an aim the process involves choosing as well as maintaining the best system that typically involve six principle phases.

1. Initiation phase

2. Analysis phase

3. Design phase

4. Implementation phase

5. Maturity/Operations phase

6. Evaluation phase

All six phases make up the information system life cycle.

The initiation phase involves setting goals that include setting a schedule, a budget, and statement of the problem and identification of system integration requirements. This is an integral aspect of understanding what is involved with replacing any existing information systems (EHRs) and...

The second phase, analysis phase, is a time when the health information manager has to identify how an automated system will meet user requirements and support performance of user tasks. Comprehension and awareness of the environment where user tasks will be performed poses as the main and most integral part of the analysis phase. Activities in this phase revolve around review of current practices, processes, and play.
The third phase, the design phase is based on the findings/requirements identified in the previous phase. This phase has activities that relate to specifying details of an upgrade/addition to an existing system or a new system. In this phase, a systems blueprint is formed along with using structure design tools like CASE programs. The fourth phase involves making the designed system operational through activities such as system testing, site preparation, management of system impact and organization change along with user training/retraining.

The fifth phase, the operations/maturity phase consists of identifying possible future risks to the system like power outages, construction mishaps, and service attacks. The sixth and last phase, the evaluation phase involves assessment against predevelopment needs requirements and criteria. The last phase could be considered a needs assessment or readiness assessment. The four main areas of an EHR readiness assessments are organizational culture, management and leadership, operational readiness, and technical readiness (Ajami, Ketabi, Isfahani & Heidari, 2011).

In the organizational culture area, the overall perception of EHR, patient involvement, physician, and staff are…