EHR Workflow Optimization Flashcards

What is the purpose of an EHR optimization review or 'tune-up' after go-live?

Answer: Identifying workflow inefficiencies, underused features, and new training needs to improve EHR usability and adoption

Post-go-live EHR optimization reviews assess actual usage patterns, identify inefficiencies, and implement improvements to templates, workflows, and training to maximize value.

What is a best practice advisory (BPA) in EHR workflow?

Answer: A clinical decision support alert recommending evidence-based care actions based on patient-specific data

A BPA is a type of clinical decision support alert in the EHR that recommends evidence-based actions, such as ordering a preventive screening or adjusting a medication dose.

What is the significance of reducing 'clicks' in EHR workflow optimization?

Answer: Minimizing unnecessary mouse clicks reduces time spent on documentation, decreasing cognitive burden and improving efficiency

Reducing clicks in EHR workflows decreases the time and cognitive effort required for documentation and order entry, directly impacting provider satisfaction and efficiency.

What is a care gap closure workflow in EHR optimization?

Answer: A system that identifies patients overdue for preventive services and prompts action during or between visits

Care gap closure workflows use EHR data to identify patients missing preventive or chronic care services and create actionable tasks for the care team to address them.

What is EHR downtime planning in workflow optimization?

Answer: Procedures and paper-based backup systems that allow clinical operations to continue when the EHR is unavailable

EHR downtime planning establishes downtime procedures, printed forms, and communication protocols so patient care can continue safely when the EHR system is unavailable.

What is the significance of provider preference items (PPI) or 'favorites' in EHR workflow efficiency?

Answer: Personalized lists of frequently used orders, diagnoses, or medications that reduce search time during charting

Provider preference lists allow clinicians to save their most frequently ordered items — medications, labs, diagnoses — so they can be accessed quickly without searching every time.