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. e
• 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
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patients to have appropriate access to relevant medical data and streamline the flow of
information. By 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
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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 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.
