Informatics Ch 7

Process

1. This is an element to provide quality health care, and it pertains to the manner in which services are provided. Specifically, it has to do with the interactions between clinicians and patients. 2. This is a type of group evaluation that focuses on group dynamics and interactions.

EMR

Acronym for electronic medical records and information system.

Information Systems (IS)

As it functions in healthcare, it was immediately apparent that health IS must include nurses and nursing activity since they are the core of patient care. Therefore, nursing informatics specialists became central to the development and evolution of the nursing terminologies used in IS.

98,000

How many Americans are killed or injured as a result of medical errors?

Mapping

In this process, the team decides which workflow processes should be redesigned in order to eliminate steps that create waste and do not add value and which steps add value, safety, and cost effectiveness to workflow.

Error

This is the failure of a planned action to be completed as intended or the use of the wrong plan to achieve an aim. Errors are directly related to outcomes. There are two types of errors: error of planning and error of execution.

Metrics

These are measurements to provide information about the effectiveness of a process or function. Metrics tell the story of what the team accomplished.

Benchmarks

These standards must be set to measure goals and progress and to identify the most effective strategies for the geographical location of the business.

Process map

This can serve as a vehicle of communication for people working on a given project. It can be simple or complex and can help to identify specific steps in the process.

Non-value-added activities

This describes an activity that does not alter the outcome of the process or product and that the consumer is unwilling to pay for. Activities that do not add value are not necessary to meet regulations. Steps that are necessary for regulatory or compliance reasons are non-value added activities but cannot be eliminated.

Multidisciplinary

This describes team members who work with patients and then come together to share information.

Lean

This describes the way an organization operates; a lean organization maximizes customer value while minimizing waste. This term applies to both production and services.

Variation

This happens when workers perform the same function in different ways. Variation occurs when flaws in the process design occur, when people don't know enough about the process, or when disruptions or disturbances interrupt in the workflow.

Decision maker

This is a person or group who makes a final choice among the alternatives presented. The decision maker should also be able to authorize spending money for either the team's use, or for the project.

Work process

This is a progression of steps (tasks, events, and interactions) that make up workflow.

Six sigma

This is a systemic performance improvement plan. This set of practices is intended to improve manufacturing processes and reduce defects. Six Sigma uses statistics to determine how well a process is performing. It designed the DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, control) process for use with existing processes. Six Sigma uses the DMADV (define, measure, analyze, design, verify) process to develop new processes or products.

Preventable adverse event

This is an adverse event that is attributable to error.

Adverse events

This is an injury caused by medical management rather than the underlying condition of the patient.

Waste

This is any unnecessary activity or the excess of products needed to perform necessary tasks. Waste can include people, processes, services, and time. It can also include overproduction, waiting, transport, inappropriate processing, unnecessary inventory, unnecessary motion, and defects.

tasks

This is one step in a progression of steps in a prescribed sequence (tasks, events, and interactions) that describes workflow or a work process.

Process owner

This is one who can directly engage in the workflow that is being analyzed and redesigned. Process owners are responsible for developing the procedures that will be required for changing workflow processes.

Process improvement

This is the act of enhancing performance through a series of new activities. Process improvement is goal oriented.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)

This is the economic stimulus package enacted in early 2009 to create jobs, promote investment, and encourage consumer spending during the recession. It is also called the Stimulus or Recovery Act.

computerized physician order entry (CPOE)

This is the electronic process for communicating physician orders to pharmacists, nurses, and other clinicians. A computer-based provider order entry has built-in features that automatically address a variety of medication safety issues. Human error factors are minimized when CPOEs are used. See also computerized provider order entry.

Workflow analysis

This is the observation and documentation of workflow in order to create a future state solution to maximize the use of technology while reducing non-value-added activity. The best method of workflow redesign is one that complements the organization and supports the clinicians' work. In sequential workflow, each step depends on the outcome of the previous step; in parallel workflow, multiple steps can occur at the same time.

Optimization

This is the process of moving conditions past their current state and into more effective and efficient methods of performing tasks.

Process flow

This is used interchangeably with workflow. Process flow is a progression of steps (tasks, events, and interactions) that describe a work process.

Workflow

This is used to describe the action or execution of a series of tasks in a prescribed sequence. It is a progression of steps (tasks, events, and interactions) that describe a work process. The terms "process" and "process flow" are also often used interchangeably with this term.

Value-added activities

This refers to a process or activity that is something a customer is willing to pay for, that saves time and money, and that prevents medical errors.

Cost, Fear of change, Time, & training

What are the barriers to technology implementation?

Efficiency, Time and space, safety, money

What are the benefits of technology implementation?