Whether you are starting a new EHR implementation or simply trying to extract that data one should not underestimate the complexities associated with extracting data elements such as Patient Demographics, Insurance, Appointments, Past Medical History, Family History, Social History, Surgical History, Medications, Allergies, Vitals, Immunizations, Images, Scanned Documents, Lab Results and Encounter Notes.
Once the data is extracted, You might be faced with a second challenge and that is: Conversion. Data Conversion processes begins by translating each record into a format readable by the new EHR.
Each EHR stores data in its own individual format (database files, text documents, photos, etc.)
Mr. Mark Anderson, CEO of AC Group and a Healthcare IT Futurist, has put together a very useful paper that outlines the essential ingredients to a successful and pain free conversion or extraction of data.