INTRODUCTION
A workflow chart is used to diagram any repeated process that contributes to the work of an organization. This could include admitting or discharging a patient, administering medication, conducting provider office visits, or scheduling appointments. Analyzing these charts can help you improve processes in health care by identifying the causes in a process failure. When implementing a health information system, it is important to analyze a variety of workflows using both current-state data (before implementation) and future-state data (post implementation). These workflows form the basis for improving efficiencies and productivity.
In this task, you will showcase your ability to diagram and analyze a current-state data workflow using standard diagramming techniques. To create your workflow analysis, you will need to use a diagramming application/digital drawing tool. Instructions for creating your free Lucidchart account are provided in the Supporting Documents below. If you are using a different diagramming application/digital drawing tool, you will need to find and use instructions for the tool you select. For additional information on completing a workflow analysis, visit the “Workflow Analysis Resource” web link.
SCENARIO
You are a nurse informatics specialist at a regional medical center where there has been a continual throughput problem in the emergency department (ED). The average arrival-to-departure time for admitted patients is 527 minutes; the average arrival-to-departure time for discharged patients is 295 minutes; the door-to-diagnostic-evaluation time is 171 minutes; and the left without-being seen (LWBS) rate is 8.7 percent. Your organization is considering a system redesign that may improve the situation in the ED; however, this redesign requires a workflow analysis to identify current bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
For this assessment, you will use system-generated time data that have been aggregated and presented as mean times for major steps in the workflow process. These mean times are specifically for patients triaged as ESI Level 3, meaning patients designated as “urgent stable.” For more information on emergency severity index (ESI) levels, please visit the “ESI Levels” link in the web links section.
REQUIREMENTS
Using the mean times from the “Workflow Observations on ESI Level 3 Patients” attachment, create a basic or cross-functional workflow diagram in Microsoft Visio (or a diagramming tool of your choice) and include an interpretation of the diagram in a caption or on a separate page.
A. Diagram a detailed flowchart of the mean times in the “Workflow Observations on ESI Level 3 Patients” attachment using standard flowchart symbols. Ensure your diagram meets the following criteria:
• Apply appropriate shapes for each workflow step.
• Connect shapes using dynamic or auto connectors.
• Label each connector with the number of patients and the mean time between steps (e.g., N = 5, M = 21.4 minutes).
• When the workflow shape indicates a decision, diagram the options and flow changes that this decision generates.
• If you use a cross-functional diagram, include ED worker type swim lanes to designate steps in the process performed by the ED worker.
B. Explain each aspect of the flowchart for hospital administrators and other stakeholders in a caption or on a separate page.
1. Identify three of the weakest areas of flow (i.e., bottlenecks or inefficiencies) and explain how you would improve one of the weak areas reduce throughput time.
C. Acknowledge sources, using in-text citations and references, for content that is quoted, paraphrased, or summarized.
D. Demonstrate professional communication in the content and presentation of your submission.
Workflow Analysis Reference: https://eds.p.ebscohost.com/eds/ebookviewer/ebook?sid=6b754a96-0120-4ed0-96cb-eac28a245a9d%40redis&ppid=pp_207&vid=0&format=EB
