{"id":2133,"date":"2012-03-25T15:00:37","date_gmt":"2012-03-25T19:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.poweryourpractice.com\/?p=2133"},"modified":"2025-10-21T11:13:40","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T11:13:40","slug":"how-ehr-impacts-practice-processes-workflows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carecloud.com\/continuum\/how-ehr-impacts-practice-processes-workflows\/","title":{"rendered":"How an EHR Impacts Practice Processes and Workflows"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>For a nominal fee, an aspiring photo hobbyist can purchase semi-professional equipment at Best Buy and start taking presentable photographs with some knowledge of composition and the sun\u2019s patterns.<\/p>\n<p>However, say you\u2019re searching for a photographer to take profile and action shots for your practice\u2019s website. She can\u2019t vouch for the gig until she\u2019s trained, knows about artificial lighting and has an impressive portfolio.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Likewise, having an <strong>understanding of your practice\u2019s workflows and processes before selecting a vendor and implementing an EHR<\/strong> is your training. It\u2019s easier to correct issues in advance and use this knowledge to learn more about the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carecloud.com\/continuum\/what-you-need-to-know-about-ehr-notes-and-templates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">features and functions of an EHR.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Below we demonstrate how you can gauge the impact of an EHR on your practice\u2019s workflows <strong>to ensure you do it right the first time.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Following the Paper (Charts) Trail<br \/>\n<\/strong>Practice workflows tend to focus on charts and the individuals each chart is passed off to as it moves through the office: from chart preparation to registration, to the nurse, biller, physician, etc. EHRs enhance workflow processes \u2013\u00a0that is, the information in and beyond the chart.<\/p>\n<p>Many workflow processes are carried out mentally and need to be understood before selecting an EHR, which will carry out some of these processes in a more structured manner.<\/p>\n<p>Also, <strong>paper charts don\u2019t empower patients the way EHRs do.<\/strong> Patients expect to be more involved in their personal care and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carecloud.com\/continuum\/ehr-patient-control-debate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">will want to contribute data directly to the process.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Electronic health records will undoubtedly eliminate paper charts while bolstering the information today\u2019s charts contain, making them more accessible, accurate and complete. EHRs automate and use knowledge to generate further analysis, but they do not automate charts.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How Do You Improve Process and Workflow?<br \/>\n<\/strong>First, create a processes improvement outline.<\/p>\n<p><strong><strong>Steps to Creating a Processes Improvement Outline<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Recognize where data comes from and how it is used.<\/p>\n<p>Outline current clinical processes related to workflow.<\/p>\n<p>Identify processes as well as individuals performing them.<\/p>\n<p>Collect charts, forms and reports that will be automated through the EHR.<\/p>\n<p>Review your outline to find improvable areas.<\/p>\n<p>After improving upon your current outline, compile a new set of clinical processes.<\/p>\n<p>Test new workflows and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carecloud.com\/continuum\/maximize-ehr-training\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">train all staff.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Next, review your outline for<strong> potential improvement opportunities.<\/strong> Pinpoint where errors, bottlenecks and communication delays occur, and discern which can be remedied via EHR automation.<\/p>\n<p>Last, determine if you need additional tools to help with <strong>analyzing potential quality and safety issues at your practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Examples include the Institute for Healthcare Improvement\u2019s failure modes and effects analysis, which helps evaluate a process to spot where and how it might fail, and The Joint Commission\u2019s framework for root cause analysis and action plan in the cause of a sentinel event, i.e., a death or sudden physical or psychological injury.<\/p>\n<p>Workflow and process breakdowns are not new. In fact, they\u2019re <strong>used even more widely in the automotive and home appliances industries.<\/strong> Outlining your practice\u2019s processes and workflows underscores what your physicians and staff members want to see in an EHR, which helps you identify your future system\u2019s functional requirements and narrow down vendors.<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Have you outlined your practice\u2019s workflows and processes? How did you do it?<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; For a nominal fee, an aspiring photo hobbyist can purchase semi-professional equipment at Best Buy and start taking presentable photographs with some knowledge of composition and the sun\u2019s patterns. However, say you\u2019re searching for a photographer to take profile and action shots for your practice\u2019s website. She can\u2019t vouch for the gig until she\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":43185,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2133","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-growth"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How an EHR Impacts Practice Processes and Workflows - Continuum<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What impact does the EHR have on medical practices and their workflows? 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