Reply to post
Write a reply to the discussion post on Workflows as described by (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [AHRQ], n.d.)
Melissa H
The basic components of a workflow include actions to be done to reach a specific objective, the time each task takes to complete, the responsible personnel, and the decisions that affect which action to take (Monday.com, 2021). There are two types of workflows: automated and manual. Manual workflows require human intervention for each step in the workflow to be completed, such as documenting a patient’s vital signs. Automated workflows utilizes a workflow management system to automatically continues the next step of the workflow after a human completes a task, such as automatically ordered lactic acids after a patient is found to be septic.
Clinical workflows have been primarily manual but with the integration of EHRs they are incorporating some automated components such as computerized physician order entry (CPOE), automatic order sets, clinical decision support systems (CDSS). Clinical workflows are beneficial because they standardize patient care thus preventing mistakes. An EHR-related workflow applies to informatics because it incorporates automated components that informaticists are responsible for teaching employees how to use properly. If employees are not familiar, or comfortable, incorporating the EHR into their workflow they will find workarounds which could lead to mistakes and be less efficient (Zeng et al., 2020).
Melanie D
Workflow is defined as a series of steps, frequently performed by different staff members and often dependent on related workflows, aiming to complete a particular task or goal (Knox and Brach, 2015). Workflow mapping is a process that considers the sequence of operations with a start and end point while providing visual representation. The basic components of a workflow diagram are input, transformation, and output (Kuali, 2020). With the simplification of complex processes into these steps, there is a better basic understanding of how the organization works. When it comes to electronic health records (EHRs), a special feature of its functionality is automation that directly impacts workflows. Due to patient care workflows involving multi-level structures and interdepartmental communication, streamlining coordination through a central data management system can significantly improve efficiency of care services.
Through the automation of repeated tasks, the occurrence of human error is minimized. Especially when operational routines are tedious and time-consuming, such as in the case of laboratory testing, activities can be done more quickly with the technological benefits of a software platform (ZyDoc, 2019). Many EHRs also have tools that can help improve data integrity. For example, errors in interpretations by clinicians and lab technicians can be weeded out with the use of built-in ICD code recognition (ZyDoc, 2019).
Mapping of existing and future workflows are of utmost importance for businesses and initial analysis of a health care organization’s activities by defining its current state and understanding if it is in accordance with the defined objectives and strategic planning by management (Veyrat, 2016). With these insights, clinical decision-making is also supported and improved. Benefits of an EHR-related workflow mapping include providing an efficiency roadmap, revealing hidden issues, checking for redundancies that can prevent the waste of overprocessing, increasing accountability, and discovering alternative pathways (Kissflow Digital Pathways, 2021).
ZD-Zarah D
Workflows as described by (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [AHRQ], n.d.)“Workflow is the sequence of physical and mental tasks performed by various people within and between work environments. It can occur at several levels (one person, between people, across organizations) and can occur sequentially or simultaneously”. Workflows are used in healthcare to facilitate communication between disciplines, it makes things more efficient, and also it will identify areas that might need improvement. In healthcare data, workflows are used to capture different kinds of data and use these data to polish up the current processes or track data that can be used in the future. Big data comes as a challenge in healthcare since some of these data are not well defined and are not structured. Workflows simplify and categorize data that making it more accessible to users while maintaining data integrity and privacy. It is also important to constantly assess workflows since as mentioned by (AHRQ, n.d.)” Anytime you make a change to your practice, especially when implementing health IT, the workflow associated with clinical and practice management processes will change”.Troubleshooting strategies and hard stops incorporated in workflows prevent data error from happening thus also maintaining data integrity. An example of this occurrence is when there are protocols in place for workflows in the ER, such as workflows with handoff for high-risk medications, this workflow prevents errors in data sharing, can be used as a learning tool, and also for process improvement initiatives.
Clinical workflow represents the instantiation of all clinical activities. (Zheng et al., 2020)Looking at a workflow is telling someone a story about how one’s healthcare organization functions. Like any other process, clinical workflows are not a one size fits. One healthcare organization’s workflow may not work for another however the commonality comes with how clinical workflows are developed to deliver safe, effective, and efficient care. As described by(Zheng et al., 2020) “In most care settings, clinical workflow is complex, reflecting the multifaceted nature of clinical tasks and the interdependencies between them”.The transition of healthcare from paper to EHR has challenges but it has made clinical workflows easier and more flexible to be changed as needed.EHR workflows nowadays applied to informatics show that coordination of clinical workflow relies on computerized systems to formulate solutions to problems such as software integrations. Incorporating informatics in clinical workflows helps healthcare providers avoid mistakes, alleviates communication fatigue, and makes it safer for patient delivery. Such examples include CPOE ( computerized prescriber order entry ) function in EHR.With informatics and clinical workflow altogether in CPOE as narrated by (Zheng et al., 2020)“The purpose was to streamline medication ordering processes and improve patient safety through adding computerized decision-support capabilities”.
