Workflow Analysis
Workflow Analysis
An essential & critical step to building the foundation of a successful EMR implementation is to perform an in-depth analysis of the practice. Everyone who is involved in a patient’s flow through the office, from scheduling to the patient’s exam to filing medical records, needs to be interviewed.
By documenting a practice’s current-state and working with staff to develop a standardized future-state, you will provide the practice with improved processes and help to build an efficient EMR environment for the end-user.
The following list is an example of areas to focus on when performing a current-state workflow analysis. This list is only a guide and the questions are meant to be elaborated on. Once your interviews are complete and verified by all key players, you can move forward and create a future-state based on the capabilities of the EMR application being implemented.
- Appointment Preparation
- When do you verify insurance?
- When is the chart pulled?
- What is reviewed prior to visit?
- Check-In
- What is the process?
- What type of documentation is brought in by the patient?
- Are there walk-ins?
- How are no-shows handled?
- How is clinical staff notified that patient is ready to be seen?
- Patient Intake & Review
- What does the clinical support staff document prior to the Provider entering the room?
- Where does the Provider review this information?
- Patient Exam
- What does the Provider document in the chart?
- When does the Provider complete documenting the visit?
- Is dictation used?
- Where does the chart go after the visit is complete?
- Medication Management
- Is a formulary used?
- Are samples dispensed?
- Orders
- Is there an in-house lab?
- Do you have an information system for any of your lab vendors?
- What orders are placed?
- Charges
- How is E&M coding performed? By whom?
- Who reviews & submits charges?
- Check-Out
- What is the check-out procedure?
- When are follow-up appointments made?
- How is payment handled?
- Patient Communication
- Process for taking messages?
- How are patients notified of lab results?
- How are incoming patient calls handled?
- Medical complaints?
- Medication refill requests? Pharmacy? Patient?
- Referral requests?
- Billing questions?
- Does the office send out appointment reminders?
- Other visits
- Nurse only visits?
- Psych/social work visits?
- Reporting
- What are the current reporting requirements?