Workflow design principles for process improvement in nursing

Workflow Design

The author of this response has been asked to offer a summary of three concepts or terms that relate to workflow design, what they really mean and how they can be applied in the medical/nursing field in particular. The author will do just that in the next section. All three of the terms are strongly inter-related with one another.

Process Improvement

A process is any set of steps or procedures that people generally follow during the course of completing their work. As technology, laws, ethics and other frameworks change and evolve over the years, this requires a change, or at least a consistent reexamination, of the processes and procedures used to make sure they are still current and they are not wasteful or dangerous. The "wasteful" angle will be covered later in this response (University of Michigan, 2013).

In short, a process should be evaluated and changed as needed based on the efficacy, applicability and properness of the procedure in the modern context. This process should not be excessive or pointless but it needs to happen often enough so that deficiencies in the process are spotted early on and thus can be corrected in an expedient fashion. Doing otherwise in a medical setting can put lives and reputations at stake. The author of this response would make it a point to always pay attention to how well a process works and whether it can work better (University of Michigan, 2013).

Modeling

Part of the process improvement process is mapping out what is currently done, ascertaining what (if anything) is wrong or lacking with the current framework and then finding ways to improve, correct or streamline the process. This is known as modeling and this is the general task that all process improvement research should follow in some manner or form. Workflow diagrams including how data flows, what personnel must or should be involved and how all of this fits together is a part of the modeling process. The author of this response would use modeling to diagram and map out what is being done and why and perhaps figuring out where things can be improved (University of Michigan, 2013).

Technology's Effects on Workflow & Article Review

The author of this response has been asked to offer an opinion on the impact of technology on workflow. It is important to use technology as a tool and to use it adeptly but technology is no replacement for common sense and people need to remember that a computer or measurement tool is only as smart as the person using it. Technology can be a huge part of process improvement success but only if it's used in a common-sense and gifted way.

One example of this in action is electronic health records. The article reviewed for this response summarized that while the benefits of electronic health records are numerous, there are significant barriers to realizing these benefits if the entity planning and implementing them are not careful about how it is done. The article suggests the use of templates, efficient data organization and proper handling and importation of relevant data from other sources and avenues. Navigational aids and the maount of screens and features that must be learned can be daunting but if that challenge can be overtaken, then the benefits of electronic health records far outweigh the potential drawbacks (Miller & Sim, 2004).

Conclusion

In short, knowing what the process improvement framework truly involves including modeling as well as making sure that the outcome is sufficient and efficient at the same time is important as is using technology in a way that portends and displays what is really going on and not something based on ignorance or laziness. It is a delicate balance but one that is imperative in a medical setting and that includes it and administration tasks, not just medical care.