5 strategies to optimize EHR workflow and improve care coordination

in collaboration with PatientKeeper -

Clinical communication platforms are continually evolving, and the pandemic has only increased the need for optimized care team coordination and quick access to patient information. 

During a Nov. 4 webinar hosted by Becker's Hospital Review and sponsored by PatientKeeper, three industry leaders discussed strategies to optimize care team coordination and EHR workflows.

The speakers were:

  • Christopher Maiona, MD, CMO at PatientKeeper

  • Sally Buta, co-founder and vice president of innovation at PatientKeeper

  • Andrew Robertson, senior director of technical solutions at PatientKeeper

The speakers discussed five optimization strategies:

  1. Create seamless workflows. EHR optimization tools should support workflows that maintain a healthcare provider's train of thought, which allows for a return to what Dr. Maiona referred to as "care in the moment."

  2. Prioritize mobility. EHR mobilization can improve the speed and quality of care delivery. "The needs of a patient or the formulation of a diagnosis or care plan should not be constrained by the physical location of a computer terminal or its availability," Dr. Maiona said. Ms. Buta noted that the patient care team has evolved greatly over time to include many individuals with specialized roles, so it is important that these care team members can quickly access the information they need to advance care.

  3. Advance care with faster communication. Mobile platforms like the one PatientKeeper provides can integrate with a hospital's call schedule so physicians can see exactly which members of the broader care team they need to contact for consultations, which speeds up the process. Physicians can also see updates that could require their timely attention. Additionally, group messaging allows care teams to effectively communicate about a discharge plan. They can examine all documentation pertinent to a patient's care journey, such as procedure notes or COVID-19 triage notes.

  4. Bridge communication gaps between providers inside and outside the hospital. EHR optimization tools such as the ones PatientKeeper offers allow primary care providers to send surgeons secure messages with vital patient information, according to Mr. Robertson. The same can be done for emergency department patients who will be admitted to the hospital and patients who need preoperative testing.

  5. Adopt automated messaging. Automated notifications for test results, which are crucial for certain workflows, can be delivered to a physician's mobile device without any delay or manual intervention via PatientKeeper's platform, which also allows specialists to communicate with primary care physicians more easily.

To learn more about PatientKeeper, click here

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.