Assignment: Creating a Flowchart
Workflow analysis aims to determine workflow patterns that maximize the effective use of resources and minimize activities that do not add value. There are a variety of tools that can be used to analyze the workflow of processes and clarify potential avenues for eliminating waste. Flowcharts are a basic and commonly used workflow analysis method that can help highlight areas in need of streamlining.
In this Assignment, you select a common event that occurs regularly in your organization and create a flowchart representing the workflow. You analyze the process you have diagrammed and propose changes for improvement.
To prepare:
Identify a common, simple event that frequently occurs in your organization that you would like to evaluate.
Consider how you would design a flowchart to represent the current workflow.
Consider what metrics you would use to determine the effectiveness of the current workflow and identify areas of waste.
To complete:
Write a 3 page paper which includes the following:
Create a simple flowchart of the activity you selected. (Review the Sample Workflow of Answering a Telephone in an Office document found in this weeks Learning Resources for an example.)
Next, in your paper:
? Explain the process you have diagrammed. (Death of a Patient)
? For each step or decision point in the process, identify the following:
o Who does this step? (see diagram)
o What technology is used? (Epic Systems EHR)
o What policies and rules are involved in determining how, when, why, or where the step is executed?
? Singing River Hospital (employer) Policy & Procedure Manual
? Notify attending physician, family, Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency: MORA
? Complete RELEASE OF BODY (paper form) form (family signs or verbally confirms if personal belongings left on body or taken with family, name of funeral home & contact info, name of next of kin and phone number, complete MORA phone call to screen for possible organ donation, call funeral home when family is ready)
? If released to funeral home, have them sign form for RELEASE OF BODY
? Jackson County Coroner (Vicki Broadus, RN) for autopsy if she so desires (unexpected death, pediatric death, drug overdose, admitted in hospital less than 24 hours), or after request for a postmortem examination is obtained from the next of kin of the deceased
? If taken to morgue, transporters name and title
? Input all of this information into Epic Systems EHR
o What information is needed for the execution of this step?
o Describe the metric that is currently used to measure the soundness of the workflow. Is it effective?
? Committee that reviews/audits all deaths and RELEASE OF BODY forms and flowsheets
o Describe any areas where improvements could occur and propose changes that could bring about these improvements in the workflow.
o Summarize why it is important to be aware of the flow of an activity.
Remember to include a cover page, introduction, and summary for your paper.
References
Huser, V., Rasmussen, L. V., Oberg, R., & Starren, J. B. (2011). Implementation of workflow engine technology to deliver basic clinical decision support functionality. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 11(1), 43.
Koppel, R., & Kreda, D. (2010). Healthcare IT usability and suitability for clinical needs: challenges of design, workflow, and contractual relations. Studies In Health Technology & Informatics, 1577-14earch: Myths and strategies. International Journal Of Nursing Studies, 47(11), 1451-1458.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2012f). System design and workflow. Baltimore, MD: Author.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.b). Workflow assessment for health IT toolkit. Retrieved, October 14, 2016, from https://healthit.ahrq.gov/portal/server.pt/community/health_it_tools_and_resources/919/workflow_assessment_for_health_it_toolkit/27865
