Implementing a Photodocumentation Program

The widespread availability of smart devices has facilitated the use of medical photography, yet photodocumentation workflows are seldom implemented in healthcare organizations due to integration challenges with electronic health records (EHR) and standard clinical workflows. This manuscript details the implementation of a comprehensive photodocumentation workflow across all phases of care at a large healthcare organization, emphasizing efficiency and patient safety. From November 2018 to December 2023, healthcare workers at our institution uploaded nearly 32,000 photodocuments spanning 54 medical specialties. The photodocumentation process requires as few as 11 mouse clicks and keystrokes within the EHR and on smart devices. Automation played a crucial role in driving workflow efficiency and patient safety. For example, body part rules were used to automate the application of a sensitive label to photos of the face, chest, external genitalia, and buttocks. This automation was successful, with over 50% of the uploaded photodocuments being labeled as sensitive. Our implementation highlights the potential for standardizing photodocumentation workflows, thereby enhancing clinical documentation, improving patient care, and ensuring the secure handling of sensitive images.