Every day you and your staff see patients, write prescriptions, send bills, review labs and x-rays, and perform a host of other jobs. All of this is accomplished by the physician and the staff using workflows that have been adopted over time. Workflows are the various ways the office accomplishes its myriad tasks during the day. The paper chart, to a certain degree, has mandated a certain workflow in the family physician office.
Family physician office workflow in the 21st century will be radically different. The change will come about both because of the electronic health record and the aims of the Future of Family Medicine project. The electronic health record, implemented properly, will automate information flow in the family physician office. The Future of Family medicine project envisions patient centered care in redesigned offices, using advanced information technology with an emphasis on efficiency, quality and safety.
Since the paper chart has mandated a certain workflow, it twould be a mistake to assume that a functional electronic health record will adapt to your current workflow. The current workflow based on paper charts is cumbersome and inefficient. An electronic health record and a complete information technology solution for your office will enable a more logical, efficient workflow.
Family physician office workflow can broadly be broken down into two categories:
- The flow of patients entering the office and getting their needs met within the office environment
- The flow of patient information within the office environment, whether the patient is physically present or not. This information includes clinical, social and billing information.
