Using EHR audit trail logs to analyze clinical workflow: A case study from community-based ambulatory clinics
Danny T Y Wu1,2, Nikolas Smart1,3, Elizabeth L Ciemins4,5
1Shool of Information, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
Summary
Electronic Health Record (EHR) audit logs offer a feasible and valid method for analyzing clinical workflow, providing objective insights into clinician behaviors. This approach overcomes limitations of traditional Time and Motion studies for workflow analysis.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Clinical Workflow Analysis
- Electronic Health Records
Background:
- Understanding clinical workflow is crucial for developing effective workflow-supported clinical documentation systems.
- Traditional Time and Motion studies, while a gold standard, are resource-intensive and prone to observer bias due to cognitive limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and validity of utilizing Electronic Health Record (EHR) audit trail logs for clinical workflow analysis.
- To compare workflow changes identified through traditional methods with data derived from EHR audit logs.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of EHR audit trail logs from study participants.
- Comparison of data from EHR audit logs against three previously identified clinical workflow changes.
Main Results:
- EHR audit trail logs were found to be a valid data source for clinical workflow analysis.
- EHR logs provide an objective view of clinician behaviors.
- The method allows for multi-dimensional comparisons and offers a highly extensible analysis framework.
Conclusions:
- EHR audit trail logs present a viable and objective alternative to traditional methods for analyzing clinical workflows.
- This approach enhances the understanding of clinician behaviors and supports the development of improved clinical documentation systems.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
372
Thoracic, aortic arch and abdominal aneurysms are significant vascular conditions that can present with various clinical manifestations and lead to serious complications. Understanding these manifestations and the appropriate diagnostic studies is essential for effective management and treatment.Thoracic Aortic AneurysmsThoracic aortic aneurysms often remain asymptomatic until they reach a size that impinges on adjacent structures. They typically cause deep, diffuse chest pain that radiates to...
372
01:27Nursing Clinical Information System
1.3K
Nursing Clinical Information System (NCIS)
A Nursing Clinical Information System (NCIS) is a specialized type of healthcare information system tailored to meet the unique needs of nursing practice. It incorporates the principles of nursing informatics to streamline information management and improve the quality of care delivery.
Critical attributes of NCIS include:
A Nursing Clinical Information System (NCIS) is a specialized type of healthcare information system tailored to meet the unique needs of nursing practice. It incorporates the principles of nursing informatics to streamline information management and improve the quality of care delivery.
Critical attributes of NCIS include:
1.3K
01:16Clinical Trials
10.8K
Clinical trials are prospective experimental studies conducted on humans to determine the safety and efficacy of treatments, drugs, diet methods, and medical devices. Using statistics in clinical trials enables researchers to derive reasonable and accurate conclusions from the collected data, allowing them to make wise decisions in uncertain situations. In medical research, statistical methods are crucial for preventing errors and bias.
There are four phases in a clinical trial. A phase one...
There are four phases in a clinical trial. A phase one...
10.8K
01:30Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
602
Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
602
01:20Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
351
The key difference between Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) lies in their location and severity.Clinical ManifestationsSVT typically presents with localized pain, tenderness, and redness along the course of a superficial vein, often accompanied by a palpable, cord-like structure under the skin. This condition is usually less dangerous than DVT but can be uncomfortable and may lead to complications such as cellulitis or, rarely, a clot extension into the deep...
351
01:11Clinical Trials: Overview
5.0K
Clinical development focuses on how the drug will interact with the human body and encompasses four key phases of clinical trials, each serving a specific purpose in assessing the safety and effectiveness of new drugs. These phases overlap and build upon one another. Phase I involves a small group of healthy volunteers (typically 20-80 individuals) or, in cases where significant toxicity is expected, patients with the targeted disease, such as cancer or AIDS. The volunteers are tested for...
5.0K