Informatics
Transitioning to Future State
Future state is constructed with the best possible knowledge of how the process will ideally work.
Transitioning to Future State
Gap analysis discussion should generate ideas from the group about how best to utilize the technology to transform practice.
Transitioning to Future State
Gap analysis zeros in on the major areas most affected by the change, namely technology
Future Directions
HIEs require the health informaticist to visualize how patients move through the entire continuum of care and not just a select patient care area.
Variation
occurs when workers perform the same function in different ways and usually occurs because of flaws in the way a process was originally designed
Informatics as a Change Agent
Engagement of the end user is a critical aspect of change management and therefore adoption.
Value Add Versus Non-Value Add
A value-added activity or step is one that ultimately brings the process closer to completion or changes the product or service for the better
Before undertaking trans formative initiative
. Leadership must take the lead and create a case for transformation . Est a vision for the end point . allow those persons w specific expertise to provide the detail . think about the most optimal experiences for both the patient and the clinician . do not replicate the current state . focus on those initiatives that offer the greatest value to the organization . recognize that gains
Future Directions
Although workflow analysis principles are described within the context of acute and ambulatory care; the need to perform process analysis on a macro-level will expand as more organizations move forward with Health Information Exchanges (HIE) and medical home models.
Informatics as a Change Agent
Communication, planning, and support are key factors of any change management strategy.
Measuring Results
Current state metrics are then benchmarked against internal indicators.
Optimization
Health informatics should always be included in these activities to represent the needs of clinicians and to serve as liaison for technological solutions to process problems
Informatics as a Change Agent
Informaticists should become knowledgeable about at least one change theory and use this knowledge as the basis for change management planning as part of every effort
Measuring Results
Metrics provide understanding about the performance of a process or function.
Informatics as a Change Agent
Often the degree of change and its impact is underappreciated and unaccounted for by leadership and staff
Workflow and Technology
One school of thought suggests that technology should be designed to meet the needs of clinical workflow
Measuring Results
Process metrics are collected at the initial stage of project or problem identification.
Value Add Versus Non-Value Add
Some steps in a process do not necessarily add value but are necessary for regulatory or compliance reasons
Informatics as a Change Agent
Technology implementations alone represent a significant change for clinicians, as does the workflow redesign that accompanies technology
Future Directions
Technology initiatives will become increasingly complex and therefore health informaticists will need greater preparation in the area of process analysis and improvement techniques to meet the growing challenges technology brings and operational performance demands of fiscally impaired healthcare organizations
Optimization
The process of moving conditions past their current state to a more efficient and effective method of performing tasks
Six Sigma and Lean
The term efficient and effective are widely known in quality areas
Building the Team
The workflow redesign team is an interdisciplinary team consisting of "process owners."
Process owners
They can speak about the intricacy of process, including process variations from the norm
Transitioning to Future State
To move from the current state to the future state, gap analysis is necessary.
Waste
Underpinning the Lean philosophy is the removal of waste activities from workflow.
Transitioning to Future State
What often happens in redesign efforts is an exact or near-exact replication of the current state using automation.
Measuring Results
When there are no internal indicators, a suitable course of action is to benchmark against an external source, such as a similar business practice within a different industry
Informatics as a Change Agent
Without end-user involvement, change is resisted and efforts are subject to failure.
Workflow and Technology
Workflow: the action or execution of a series of tasks in a prescribed sequence; a progression of steps (tasks, events, interactions) that comprise a work process, involve two or more persons, and create or add value to the organization's activities.
Process owners
are those who directly engage in the workflow to be analyzed and redesigned.
Waste
is classified as unnecessary activities or an excess of products to perform tasks
Variation
lack of knowledge about the process, or because a process cannot be executed as originally designed due to disruptions or disturbances in the workflow
