Leveraging Electronic Health Record Implementation to Facilitate Clinical and Operational Quality Improvement in an Ambulatory Surgical Clinic

J Ambul Care Manage. 2017 Jan/Mar;40(1):9-16. doi: 10.1097/JAC.0000000000000170.

Abstract

The implementation of electronic health records is a challenging, complex process requiring significant resources. The temptation is to convert a paper process into electronic format. This strategy fosters a familiar product to the users but is fraught with pitfalls. We chose to utilize the opportunity of the implementation of an enterprise-wide ambulatory electronic health record to foster an overreaching clinical and operational improvement project in a multispecialty surgical ambulatory clinic practice. We interrogated every aspect of the practice: clinic design, scheduling, physical space, staffing, and clinical and operational workflows. We present here the results of a 3-year process improvement.

MeSH terms

  • Electronic Health Records / organization & administration*
  • Electronic Health Records / standards
  • Health Plan Implementation / methods*
  • Health Plan Implementation / standards
  • Humans
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care / methods*
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care / standards
  • Surgicenters / organization & administration*
  • Surgicenters / standards