Running Head: WORKFLOW
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6-2 Journal: HIE Workflow
HIM 350
SNHU
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• What is a workflow?
In the context of Health Information Exchange (HIE), workflow refers to the sequence of
tasks or activities starting from the time when a patient visits a healthcare facility, retrieval and
use of information, and other task sequences that take place in the healthcare setting (What is
workflow? What is workflow? | Digital Healthcare Research, 2021). series of activities are
carried out by a diverse range of individuals within and between the work environment. The
activities that make up the workflow could take place simultaneously or sequentially. The
activities that make up the workflow have an influence on the health outcome of individuals. n
• How might the implementation of HIE impact current workflow and employee
performance?
The implementation of HIE might impact the current workflow and employee
performance by influencing the level of efficiency. It could streamline the workflow by
facilitating the flow of information among diverse stakeholders such as nurses, physicians and
patients (What is Hie? HealthIT.gov, 2020). According to Walker, HIE has the potential to
enhance the quality of care coordination across healthcare providers. It could lead to improved
productivity of the staff members that function in the healthcare setting (Walker, 2018). By
supporting better sharing of information and collaboration among multidisciplinary
professionals, it would be possible to positively influence employee performance and the current
workflow.
• How will workflow tasks change and/or improve?
The implementation of HIE will lead to a change in workflow. It could enable diverse
stakeholders in the healthcare setting such as physicians, nurses, other care providers and patients
to have appropriate access to relevant medical data and streamline the flow of information. By
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increasing the level of safety, speed and quality, the improvement in the processes could take
place (What is Hie? HealthIT.gov, 2020). The timely sharing of health-related information can
aid in the decision-making process by ensuring that readmissions are avoided, medical errors are
prevented, the process of diagnosis is strengthened, and the instances of duplicate testing are kept
under check.
• How do workflows and HIEs impact organizational change?
Workflows and HIEs have a considerable impact on organizational change. These
elements basically facilitate change by aligning technology with healthcare services that are
carried out in the healthcare context. The health information exchange makes it possible to
securely use and share medical information. Even though the electronic transfer of information
does not replace face-to-face communication between the healthcare service user and healthcare
service provider, it plays an instrumental role to improve the level of completeness relating to the
patient records. Change is introduced in the healthcare setting by effectively handling
information pertaining to the medical and health aspects of patients (What is Hie? HealthIT.gov,
2020). Thus, the use of efficient workflows and HIEs in the healthcare setting has the potential to
bring about organizational change by supporting and nurturing improved care solutions.
• How will the process be better streamlined with the implementation of exchange?
The existing process could be streamlined in a better way by implementing exchange.
Health Information Exchange (HIE) would add value to the process by enabling healthcare
professionals as well as patients to appropriately access and share health-related information in
the electronic format. It would simplify the sharing of information and thus allow heartcare
practitioners to make timely and informed decisions that could positively influence the health
outcome of the patients. A diverse range of benefits could arise by integrating HIE within the
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healthcare organization. One of the main benefits is simpler access and confidential sharing of
patient records, including the medical history of the individuals and details relating to laboratory
tests. In addition to this, the implementation of exchange would also make sure that a safer and
more efficient care delivery model is in place that is tailored to the unique needs of the patients
(What is Hie? HealthIT.gov, 2020).
• How will you analyze and use the data in the HIE network to improve patient
outcomes?
The data that exists in the Health Information Exchange network could be used for
improving the health outcome of the patients. For example, the past medical history of patients
could be used to identify signs and symptoms relating to certain kinds of health conditions. The
information such as laboratory tests and diagnostic tests could be used by physicians in the
healthcare setting to identify the exact illness or disease that a patient is suffering from. The use
of the electronic health information system would help to prevent errors that could lead to
inaccurate health-related decisions. Similarly, by facilitating the efficient and effective
deployment of emerging technologies and healthcare services, it would be possible to deliver
quality care solutions to the patients that are aligned with their exact health and social needs
(What is Hie? HealthIT.gov, 2020). HIE could also create a pathway and make sure that patients
are educated and made aware of their own healthcare processes. Thus by empowering them, it
would be possible to improve their health status and ultimate health outcome (What is Hie?
HealthIT.gov, 2020).
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References
What is workflow? What is workflow? | Digital Healthcare Research. (2021). Retrieved
November 30, 2021, from https://digital.ahrq.gov/health-it-tools-and-resources/evaluation-
resources/workflow-assessment-health-it-toolkit/workflow.
What is Hie? HealthIT.gov. (2020, July 24). Retrieved November 30, 2021, from
https://www.healthit.gov/topic/health-it-and-health-information-exchange-basics/what-hie.
Walker, D. M. (2018). Does participation in health information exchange improve hospital
efficiency?. Health care management science, 21(3), 426-438.
