Page 20 - 2020 Risk Reduction Series Effective Systems_Part 1_Flipbook

SVMIC Risk Reduction Series: Effective Systems

Lack of interoperability/interfacing

For non-interfaced results, consultant reports,
phone calls, etc.: immediately scan reports into the
EHR and forward them (or "task" them) to the clinician

the same day they arrive. Incorporate results or other
data a ecting clinical decision support functions
within the EHR rather than simply scanning them in.

PITFALL: Pending lists that are not reviewed timely

TIP: Consider running reports on a weekly basis to
evaluate the volume of tasks and timeliness of
responses in in-boxes. Know your EHR – once the test
is reviewed and acted upon, it should be completed
and removed from the pending list. Some EHRs
require several steps after the review to complete this
process.

PITFALL: Some EHRs transmit patient data to
multiple providers at once, resulting in confusion
regarding follow-up responsibilities.

TIP: Ensure that patient results are forwarded (or
“tasked”) to a designated person (i.e., ordering
physician). Don’t assume the other physician has
seen the results.

PITFALL: Unattended task boxes or email inboxes

TIP: If results are tasked to inboxes, enforce a policy
of checking inboxes at appropriate intervals and
communicating results. Be sure a surrogate is
assigned to monitor unattended tasks and inboxes in
the event a person in out sick, on vacation, or

otherwise unavailable.

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