1. Examples of flowcharts
- In-Office Prescribing - Electronic System (PDF, 20KB)
- Prescription Renewal Request - Electronic System (PDF, 23KB)
2. Why and how do we assess workflow when preparing for our health IT system implementation?
A flowchart provides a meaningful visualization of workflow by:
- conveying the anticipated sequence of activities and tasks and thus identifying key work processes,
- identifying who will most likely perform what activities and tasks,
- recognizing activities and tasks that should or could be performed by another person, and
- identifying unnecessary or non-value-added activities and tasks that you might choose to eliminate with the use of the health IT system.
3. What will we do with the flowcharts we create?
Flowcharting will help you identify the how work processes will be integrated into your health IT system. This will also help:
- determine who will perform what tasks and when.
- refine the health IT system implementation process.
- allow you to test, in a simulated fashion, how workflow will change with the introduction of the health IT system.
4. What are the benefits of flowcharting workflows when preparing for implementation?
By developing flowcharts on how tasks and activities will be accomplished post-health IT system implementation, you can avoid:
- patient delays,
- billing backlogs, and
- duplication of effort.
Flowcharts offer significant assistance in planning for changes to clinical and administrative workflows and reducing any negative impact of the health IT system on workflow.