The Healthcare Guys: Clinical Workflows

Clinical workflows refer to the series of tasks and steps that healthcare providers follow in order to deliver patient care. These workflows can include tasks such as patient registration, diagnostic testing, medication administration, and discharge planning. Clinical workflows are designed to optimize the efficiency and quality of care delivery, and to ensure that patients receive the appropriate care in a timely manner.

The use of electronic health records (EHRs) and other health information technology (HIT) has had a major impact on clinical workflows in healthcare. These systems allow for the digitization of patient information, which can improve data sharing and coordination among healthcare providers. They also support automation of certain tasks, such as medication ordering and test result notifications, which can reduce the risk of errors and improve patient outcomes. Additionally, clinical decision support systems can be integrated within EHRs to help providers quickly access relevant patient information and make informed decisions about care.

However, implementing new technologies can have a significant impact on workflows and require a significant change management effort. It’s important to evaluate the efficiency of the workflows and how the new technologies will affect them before and after the implementation.