Tips to improve your EHR workflow

What is EHR?

An Electronic Health Record (EHR) is essentially a digital representation of a patient’s paper chart. It can be understood as a compilation of various medical documents created during any clinical interaction or event.

EHRs serve as real-time, patient-centered records that provide instant and secure access to authorized users. They allow healthcare providers to track the history and ongoing management of patient health records while playing a crucial role in an individual’s health and their contribution to the healthcare ecosystem.

An EHR is maintained digitally by the healthcare provider over time, encompassing all clinical data pertinent to a patient’s care with that provider.

Steps to Optimize EHR Workflow:

EHRs are indispensable in health IT, housing a patient’s medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, allergies, lab results, and immunization records.

These systems have significantly transformed medical practice and are often seen as both advantageous and burdensome by the healthcare professionals who utilize them.

The framework surrounding EHRs—including their model, regulation, application, and individual usage—brings both benefits and challenges.

Healthcare organizations can adopt several strategies to maximize the advantages and minimize the drawbacks of EHR implementation.

1. Engage Leadership and EHR Users:

EHR applications achieve the best results when both leadership and end users align toward a common goal.

2. Eliminate Unnecessary EHR Tasks:

It’s crucial to identify and eliminate redundant tasks. Stopping activities that distract from patient care is vital for effective EHR optimization.

3. Optimize Hardware and Physical Environment:

Many organizations encounter challenges post-EHR implementation due to inadequate investment in hardware or workspace optimization.

There are various improvements that can enhance patient care and workflow, potentially saving team members 15-30 minutes each day.

• Set up flow stations where clinical support team members and physicians can collaborate simultaneously.
• Utilize widescreen monitors for better visibility.
• Place networked printers in every exam room and design exam spaces for team collaboration and information sharing.

4. Streamline Software Options:

Integrating certain functionalities within the EHR can significantly enhance workflow and efficiency.

• E-prescribe controlled substances instead of printing prescriptions, where state law allows.
• Capture patient photos for easier identification and storytelling during record access.
• Utilize after-visit reviews to record patient education and encourage access to their medical records.
• Promote the use of patient portals, which can ease workflow and boost physician efficiency when effectively utilized.

5. Foster Team Collaboration:

Assigning new tasks generated by EHR implementation solely to physicians is rarely the most efficient approach. Distributing EHR-related responsibilities among a focused team allows for broader participation and preserves physician time for crucial medical decision-making and patient relationship-building.

6. Move Away from Paper Documentation:

Paper-based processes are becoming outdated and hinder streamlined workflows in healthcare organizations.

7. Embrace EHR Best Practices:

Adopting proven practices for managing Electronic Health Records can boost productivity, reduce errors, and facilitate smoother operations.

8. Efficient Billing Systems:

Billing records are essential for hospital performance, productivity, and efficiency. EHRs capture all relevant charges during patient care.

Importance of EHR in Your Medical Practice:

EHR systems deliver numerous benefits for healthcare providers, patients, and the broader industry. They offer real-time access to patient information, which enhances diagnosis and analysis, reduces medical mistakes, and raises efficiency levels.

EHRs act as dynamic tools that elevate the diversity and efficiency of healthcare for everyone involved.

• Enhances communication and interactivity between patients and providers.
• Increases productivity and improves work-life balance.
• Cuts costs by reducing paperwork burden.
• Assists in enhancing diagnostic processes.
• Provides efficient and cost-effective solutions.
• Improves overall patient care.
• Simplifies the billing process.
• Ensures data security and patient privacy.
• Eliminates the hassle of chasing insurance claims.

The strengths of EHRs contribute to better healthcare outcomes by enhancing all aspects of patient care, including safety, effectiveness, patient engagement, communication, efficiency, and integrity.

EHR systems drive improved health outcomes and increased efficiencies while lowering healthcare costs through preventative measures. They facilitate better clinical decision-making by integrating patient information from various sources.