Multidisciplinary Sprint Program Achieved Specialty-Specific EHR Optimization in 20 Clinics

The objective of the study was to highlight and analyze the outcomes of software configuration requests received from Sprint, a comprehensive, clinic-centered electronic health record (EHR) optimization program.

A retrospective review of 1,254 Sprint workbook requests identified (1) the responsible EHR team, (2) the clinical efficiency gained from the request, and (3) the EHR intervention conducted.

Requests were received from 407 clinicians and 538 staff over 31 weeks of Sprint. Sixty-nine percent of the requests were completed during the Sprint. Of all requests, 25% required net new build, 73% required technical investigation and/or solutions, and 2% of the requests were escalated to the vendor. The clinical specialty groups requested a higher percentage of items that earned them clinical review (16 vs. 10%) and documentation (29 vs. 23%) efficiencies compared with their primary care colleagues who requested slightly more order modifications (22 vs. 20%). Clinical efficiencies most commonly associated with workbook requests included documentation (28%), ordering (20%), in basket (17%), and clinical review (15%). Sprint user requests evaluated by ambulatory, hardware, security, and training teams comprised 80% of reported items.

Sprint requests were categorized as clean-up, break-fix, workflow investigation, or new build. On-site collaboration with clinical care teams permitted consensus-building, drove vetting, and iteration of EHR build, and led to goal-driven, usable workflows and EHR products.

This program evaluation demonstrates the process by which optimization can occur and the products that result when we adhere to optimization principles in health care organizations.