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 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. (Death of a Patient)
? For each step or decision point in the process, identify the following:
o Who does this step? (see diagram)

o What technology is used? (Epic Systems EHR)

o What policies and rules are involved in determining how, when, why, or where the step is executed?
? Singing River Hospital (employer) Policy & Procedure Manual
? Notify attending physician, family, Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency: MORA
? Complete RELEASE OF BODY (paper form) form (family signs or verbally confirms if personal belongings left on body or taken with family, name of funeral home & contact info, name of next of kin and phone number, complete MORA phone call to screen for possible organ donation, call funeral home when family is ready)
? If released to funeral home, have them sign form for RELEASE OF BODY
? Jackson County Coroner (Vicki Broadus, RN) for autopsy if she so desires (unexpected death, pediatric death, drug overdose, admitted in hospital less than 24 hours), or after request for a postmortem examination is obtained from the next of kin of the deceased
? If taken to morgue, transporters name and title
? Input all of this information into Epic Systems EHR

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

o Describe the metric that is currently used to measure the soundness of the workflow. Is it effective?
? Committee that reviews/audits all deaths and RELEASE OF BODY forms and flowsheets

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

o 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.