STEPS TO SUCCESS #4
Analyze Workflow — Create Your Ideal Practice
Conducting a thorough analysis of your practice’s workflow will help you determine what’s working and what needs to be changed during EHR implementation. No analysis can be too comprehensive: you must understand all the ins and outs to succeed.
Don’t recreate your existing workflow. An EHR can increase efficiency and speed in most areas.
Once you understand your paper-based workflow, you can determine how to refine your system to work most effectively with the EHR. Be sure to consider Clinical Decision Support in your workflow analysis. EHR systems integrate relevant web-based information and links to support your staff.
Use this opportunity to examine why you do what you do.
Consider workflow for all job types:
- Physician: phone messages, progress notes, billing/coding, review of outstanding tests, review of test results, communicating results with staff/patients
- Clinical Support Staff: phone messages, medication refills, vital signs, scheduling sick visits
- Administrative Staff
- Front Desk: chart preparation, check-in, check-out, payment
- Billing: addressing claims issues with the providers
- Scanners/Record Department: document management
- Central Scheduling
On-site consultants can help you analyze your workflow.