Expert Tips on How to Improve Clinical Workflow

Great healthcare systems usually have complex workflow variations and transitions, from authorizations to referrals, appointment scheduling and additional services. The barriers to effective workflows include resistance to change by providers and staff and poor usable technology design for effective documentation and communication. 

Inefficient communication and coordination are the primary hindrances to delivering quality patient care, and effective workflow can help improve clinical care and operations. According to the American Society for Quality (ASQ) survey, 78% of medical care quality specialists say enhanced clinical efficiency and workflow is vital in improving information technology quality.

Here are some expert tips on how to improve clinical workflow.

Improve Patient Check-In and Check-Out Processes

The major causes of bottlenecks in patient flow is influenced by patient check-in and check-out processes. Before seeing the doctor, patients may get held up filling out forms with the front office staff or show up late. After seeing the doctor, patients may have to plan a follow-up visit, schedule diagnostic testing, or manage a referral to another doctor for special care. Streamlining these processes not only enables patients to check in faster, but also frees up staff time.

For instance, when patients call to book an appointment, staff can confirm their insurance information via telephone rather than when they check in for their visit. The practice management experts at RevenueXL.com recommend using automated software to simplify administrative tasks, streamline the scheduling of patient appointments, and share information. Ensure the system and forms are straightforward and centered on assisting patients in filling them out quickly.  

Adopting AI to Improve Workflow

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been an intriguing development in medical services for some time now. As the advantages are beginning to be widely recognized, more industries are starting to embrace AI to improve workflow processes.

AI can enhance medial workflow in three ways as highlighted by a recent AMA article:

  • Quality measurement reporting: Unlike the traditional manual data collection process, AI could save physicians hours of work by reviewing clinical documents, extracting information for quality reports, and populating missing data fields. 
  • Clinical documentation: AI can help perform clinical documentation assignments with accuracy and efficiency, extracting essential data from patients’ check-in records and tabulating it into relevant structured data fields. 
  • Point-of-care learning: AI can help customize content delivery to doctors as clinical inquiries emerge, limiting time spent looking for pertinent information in course books or online.

Health analytics report that 37% of organizations are already utilizing AI in one way or another and more than 54% of medical care experts anticipate widespread adoption in the following five years. Therefore, we can conclude that AI has transitioned from a trendy medical industry expression to a business resource. Potential benefits are enormous as long as health IT specialists implement AI with a security-oriented mindset.

Electronic Health Records (EHR) Improve Clinical Workflow

Leaders in healthcare are charged with making sure investments in technology are adopted in their practices to ensure the most excellent patient experience. The rate of EHR adoption is widespread in the U.S. healthcare industry, as electronic health records ensure the effective and efficient delivery of quality healthcare.

EHR digitalizes a patient’s health record and makes it available to medical practitioners who can securely access them from anywhere. EHR benefits patients by providing them with a better experience thanks to user-friendly EHR features, and by significantly reducing their healthcare costs. That results in better health outcomes for patients as well. Overall implementation of EHR will result in enhanced care coordination and increased patient engagement, thereby improving clinical workflow.

Accounts Accuracy

Hospitals and clinics sometimes have a hard time managing their finances. For instance, their insurance premiums will generally rise as the number of patients increases. In addition, insurers regularly reimburse health providers less often when compared to care that has been given. Neglecting to pay attention to accounts is one of the mistakes that medical care providers frequently make. You may be losing a great deal of money by not collecting your receivables. 

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Nonetheless, a hospital can support its income by putting resources into smoothing out its workflow, by adopting automation and improving staff training. With the right approach, you can improve your accounts management and accuracy to ensure a more streamlined operation. 

Embrace Efficient Clinical Workflow 

By implementing these expert tips, your healthcare practice’s clinical workflow will be more efficient than ever. You’ll be happy to see how much resources and time you are saving as well as the results of increased productivity and quality of care for your patients. 

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