Creating a Flowchart

Creating a Flowchart

Workflow analysis aims to determine workflow patterns that maximize the effective use of resources and minimize activities that do not add value. There are a variety of tools that can be used to analyze the workflow of processes and clarify potential avenues for eliminating waste. Flowcharts are a basic and commonly used workflow analysis method that can help highlight areas in need of streamlining.

In this Assignment, you select a common event that occurs regularly in your organization and create a flowchart representing the workflow. You analyze the process you have diagrammed and propose changes for improvement.

To prepare:

· Identify a common, simple event that frequently occurs in your organization that you would like to evaluate.

· Consider how you would design a flowchart to represent the current workflow.

· Consider what metrics you would use to determine the effectiveness of the current workflow and identify areas of waste.

To complete:

Write a 3- to 5-page paper which includes the following:

· Create a simple flowchart of the activity you selected. (Review the Sample Workflow of Answering a Telephone in an Office document found in this week’s Learning Resources for an example.)

· Next, in your paper:

. Explain the process you have diagrammed.

. For each step or decision point in the process, identify the following:

. Who does this step? (It can be several people.)

. What technology is used?

. What policies and rules are involved in determining how, when, why, or where the step is executed?

. What information is needed for the execution of this step?

· Describe the metric that is currently used to measure the soundness of the workflow. Is it effective?

· Describe any areas where improvements could occur and propose changes that could bring about these improvements in the workflow.

· Summarize why it is important to be aware of the flow of an activity.

· Remember to include a cover page, introduction, and summary for your paper.

This Assignment is due Thursday 01/21/2016. at 17:00

Note: This paper will serve as the Portfolio Assignment for the course.

Required Resources

Note: To access this week's required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

Readings

· McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2012). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.

. Chapter 16, “Nursing Informatics: Improving Workflow and Meaningful Use” This chapter reviews the reasons for conducting workflow analysis and design. The author explains specific workflow analysis and redesign techniques.

· Huser, V., Rasmussen, L. V., Oberg, R., & Starren, J. B. (2011). Implementation of workflow engine technology to deliver basic clinical decision support functionality. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 11(1), 43–61. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. In this article, the authors describe an implementation of workflow engine technology to support clinical decision making. The article describes some of the pitfalls of implementation, along with successful and future elements.

· Koppel, R., & Kreda, D. A. (2010). Healthcare IT usability and suitability for clinical needs: Challenges of design, workflow, and contractual relations. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 157, 7–14. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. This article points to many health information technology designs and workflow decisions that limit their value and usage. The authors also examine the structure of the conceptual relationships between HIT vendors and the clinical facilities that purchase HIT.

· U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.b). Workflow assessment for health IT toolkit.  Retrieved, June 18, 2012, from http://healthit.ahrq.gov/portal/server.pt/community/health_it_tools_and_resources/919/workflow_assessment_for_health_it_toolkit/27865 This article supplies a toolkit on the planning, design, implementation, and use of health information technology. The sections of the website provide a definition of workflow, examples of workflow tools, related anecdotes, and research.

· Document: Sample Workflow of Answering a Telephone in an Office (Word document) Note: You will use this document to complete this week’s Assignment.

Media

· Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012f). System design and workflow. Baltimore, MD: Author. Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 7 minutes. This video provides an overview of how workflow modeling can be used in a health care setting to target areas for revising current practices and procedures. The video also shows how technology and informatics can be used to improve workflow efficiency and increase the quality of care.

Accessible player

The following document gives credit for Laureate-produced media in this course: Credits (PDF)

Hello class,

As a reminder, your 3rd application paper <Flowchart> is due by next Thursday night, the 21st. Please keep in mind:

-         Introduction and Summary have to be integrated in the main paper, not as a separate file (Only one Microsoft Word file that includes your entire work). Sample posted in the class Doc Sharing area. So many points are wasted for not meeting basic requirements.

-        If you face challenges formatting and if it would help you to do so, you can insert your diagram anywhere in your paper, even at the very beginning before your presentation page or at the very end after the references list. Make some tests ahead of time with regard to formatting of the diagram. BTW, no need for fancy layouts, just simple but logical ones.

-        Read, understand, and meet ALL the requirements of the assignment.

-        I understand that for some of you APA is a bummer, but were stuck with it :-(. Familiarize yourself with it; along the way, you’ll be glad you did.

-        Always keep in mind my comments from your previous assignments. You make the same mistakes: they cost you.

-        Turnitin Drafts: Blue or Green only. Then, upload officially.

-        Quality over quantity (as long as minimum length is met).

-        Provide good detailed explanation of the diagram in the body of your text.

-        Your diagram must make logical sense at first look. If it takes a few minutes to understand it, it defeats the purpose of a flowchart.

-        Remember, Sample in Doc Sharing? Amazing how many grades suffer because the main idea has been missed.

-        The 4-5 page requirement includes the workflow diagram. Of course, if your diagram is 3 pages long (very unlikely), then your work will probably end up as 5-6 pages + Title page + ref. list. That said, 3-5 pages + Cover page + RL is usually sufficient.

-         For more important technical information, go back to last week’s announcement.

 If you need help, ask for it before it’s too late. Time flies!

Have a great week and keep up the good work!

Dr. D

Posted to: NURS-6051-1,Transforming Nursing & HC.2015 Winter Qtr 11/30-02/21-PT27

P.S. If you’re not already using it, the Turnitin Drafts tool is a very good idea before you officially upload your assignment. Anything other than blue or green should tell you that you have to work on your paraphrasing before submitting your paper. Thank you, class!!

 

About the 3rd ASSIGNMENT (Creating a Flowchart) :  READ CAREFULLY

 The 3rd assignment (presented in Wk7 requires you to diagram a process using a flowchart. You must create a standard flowchart and apply the common symbols used with this method. You also need to integrate outside resources in addition to course resources.

Using the sample workflow document to complete the assignment, you may want to explore this link: http://healthit.ahrq.gov/health-it-tools-and-resources/workflow-assessment-health-it-toolkit/all-workflow-tools/flowchart

You may also want to consult the ASQ website for a great summary of the construction of a flowchart and the use of symbols: http://asq.org/learn-about-quality/process-analysis-tools/overview/flowchart.html

Here are some interesting additional links to flowchart information.

Shapes: http://www.breezetree.com/article-excel-flowchart-shapes.htm

Creating flowcharts in Word: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDUwqYLlAA8

For a PC: http://ase.tufts.edu/its/trainDocuments/word07Flowcharts.pdf

For a Mac: http://ase.tufts.edu/its/trainDocuments/word08Flowcharts.pdf

IMPORTANT:

Any MS application will work, Word, Visio, Power Point, etc...

However, for this 3rd assignment (Flowchart), it is about the concept and explanation of the workflow, not about the sophistication and aesthetic of the graphics (no extra points for fanciness). MS Word (which I used for the sample I provided in Doc Sharing section) does a great job. MS Word under Insert and then Shapes, etc...

See it here: Creating flowcharts in Word: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDUwqYLlAA8

Don’t forget:

1-          Turnitin accepts only 1 upload (flowchart must be integrated in your work and embedded in your submitted file)

2-          Your upload has to be as 1 WORD file (not PDF)

If you need help, ask for it; don’t wait until the last day.

Keep up the good work!

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