Work flow analysis. Familiarize the student with the concept of workflow, Identify potential workflow issues that have implications for the practice of nursing informatics Acquaint the student with the concept of “stakeholder” in information system design. Map current and proposed information workflow using flowchart diagrams.
Workflow Analysis
Health care organizations depend largely on data as health information technology dominates processes. It is crucial to visualize how information and processes flow across critical health care points. Workflows provide a sequence of tasks or steps involved in patient care (Han et al., 2020). This paper compares two workflows (current and proposed) derived from a multisite program on remote monitoring of COVID-19 patients.
Current Workflow
Proposed Workflow
Explanation
The workflow commences with COVID-19 confirmation and ends with the patient’s release from the care program after successful isolation. Several other tasks are executed in-between, including a clinical assessment of the severity of risk factors and grouping patients into low-risk or high-risk care models (Maeder et al., 2021). The workflow’s origin is a remote patient monitoring program for COVID-19 patients in a multisite facility in the United States. It was selected because it is based on a current issue (COVID-19), implying that it is highly relevant to current health practice. The workflow also illustrates the applicability of care models in health care delivery that primarily define how health care services are delivered and best practices (Vos et al., 2020). Generally, it shows how a task leads to the other in a workflow.
The shaded areas in the current workflow highlight potential problems. If not addressed, they can have far-reaching consequences on health care delivery or make the workflow ambiguous. The first problem is the lack of information flow between clinicians and nurses as they provide technical support and response to escalations. It is crucial for clinicians and nurses to collaborate through data exchange, a critical component of electronic health records in health care delivery (Coffey et al., 2021). The other problem is the lack of triage and registration before confirming COVID-19. It should be included in the workflow to make it clearer and easy to link data flow.
Overall, the workflow illustrates the movement of tasks in a care process for COVID-19 patients. From a more abstract dimension, the workflow represents the work involved in the multisite program to ensure that COVID-19 patients receive the best care possible. Improvements are necessary, and the lack of collaboration between clinical assistants and nurses should be a priority area.
References
Coffey, J. D., Christopherson, L. A., Glasgow, A. E., Pearson, K. K., Brown, J. K., Gathje, S. R., … & Haddad, T. C. (2021). Implementation of a multisite, interdisciplinary remote patient monitoring program for ambulatory management of patients with COVID-19. NPJ Digital Medicine, 4(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-021-00490-9
Han, B., Li, Q., Chen, X., & Zhao, G. (2020). Workflow for intensive care unit nurses: A time and motion study. SAGE Open, 10(3), 2158244020947433. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F2158244020947433
Maeder, A., Higa, C., van den Berg, M. E., & Gough, C. (2021). Telehealth innovations in remote healthcare services delivery: Global telehealth 2020. IOS Press.
Vos, J. F., Boonstra, A., Kooistra, A., Seelen, M., & van Offenbeek, M. (2020). The influence of electronic health record use on collaboration among medical specialties. BMC health services research, 20(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05542-6
As mentioned in the Week 1 assignment guidelines and the assignment video, you are more than welcome to utilize whatever tool you prefer to map out the current state and the proposed workflows as you start drafting them. Word and PowerPoint have built-in tools you can use. If you have access to Visio, that is technically the “official” Microsoft tool often used by many nurse informaticists.
I cannot overemphasize the need to review the rubric carefully. The current workflow and the proposed workflow are worth 38 points each. As stated, all individuals involved must be labeled clearly, as well as the information flow. Remember, this is about improving the flow of information and not just the process!
Your assignment will have 4 pages including the title page. Please place the two workflows in separate pages so you don’t have to cram them all in one page, making it hard to read the text and follow the arrows. Your one-page explanation [in APA format] must have:
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Work flow analysis. Familiarize the student with the concept of workflow, Identify potential workflow issues that have implications for the practice of nursing informatics Acquaint the student with the concept of “stakeholder” in information system design. Map current and proposed information workflow using flowchart diagrams.
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Description of the current workflow
Location or origin
Rationale for selection – why did you choose this?
Two actual or potential problems identified [you must highlight them on the workflow – you can either color the box or use colored font so they are clearly identified]
Is it possible to describe all these on one page? Yes, you can! Explain succinctly and professionally. It is very easy to go on and on without really making much sense. People, in general, usually have a lot to say. :-). So, it is more of a skill if you can keep your descriptions short and direct to the point. In the real world, when you have to present to executives, leadership, and/or stakeholders, they are more impressed and will remember what you said when you articulate clearly and precisely the point you want to make. No one likes to sit through long meetings going over one workflow. Imagine that you are presenting this to your nursing leadership as an informatics nurse!
I would also suggest highlighting the areas where you are making the changes in the proposed workflow by using colors. I am looking forward to reviewing your work!