Workflow Technology You started as the new director of HIM last week. Your department began using workflow technology six weeks ago with the EHR. With the implementation of workflow, the department started coding and analyzing charts online. Other tasks involved in the workflow are as follows: • Notifying risk management of issues identified • Communications with physicians • Communications with business office • Communications with supervisor • Routing charts that meet criteria to performance improvement for review One of the first things that you noticed when you started work was the stress level of the coders—they are panicking. You also found that the billing hold report is at $2.4 million, when the expected level is below $300,000. In a meeting with the coders, they all tell you that they hate using the new system. You also learn that much of their distress is a result of the fact that they were not involved in the selection or implementation of the new system. In addition, they had only a short training period, so they do not feel comfortable using the system.
1. Describe how to proceed to resolve the problems.
2. Formulate a plan so that future system selections do not incur these same problems.