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The Impact of Device Design on Work Flow

To prepare for this Discussion, search the Internet for an example of a mobile device that a health practitioner uses in tasks associated with his/her job.

By Day 4, post a comprehensive response to the following:

• Briefly describe the device and its purpose.
• What are positive outcomes from using this device?
• What are negative outcomes from using this device?
• Should the organization mandate the use of this device? What could happen if the practitioner refused?
• How could you convince the health practitioner that this is a useful device that could positively impact patient care?

Required Resources

Media

• Video: Laureate Education (Producer). (2010). Health informatics: Workflow redesign and human factors [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

  Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 11 minutes.

  The scholars in this media, Dr. Susan Newbold and Dr. Cheryl Parker, explain how improving workflow in an organization can bring greater efficiency into a health care organization. They also introduce the concept of diagramming workflow as a critical method in any project involving workflow redesign. The importance of involving users in the design process is also explored. The scholars also describe a case study that illustrates a problem that a database can solve.

  Note: As a reminder, additional Learning Resources for the week are listed below the Media Player. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the web page to view the complete list of Required and Optional Resources.

  If you experience technical difficulties viewing the Course Media through the Media Player, please contact your Student Support Team at 1-800-WALDENU or [email protected].
• Audio and Transcript: Montagne, R. (Host). (2009, October 9). Solving health care problems by design [Radio broadcast episode]. In Morning Edition. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113650200

This radio essay describes design techniques and strategies to solve problems for clients in the health care industry.

Readings

• Topical Study Guide
  
• Piechowski, R. (March/April 2006). Making CPOE Work: Redesign Workflows to Optimize Benefits. Patient Safety and Quality Healthcare. Retrieved at: http://www.psqh.com/marapr06/cpoe.html
• Karsh, B., Weinger, M., Abbott, P., & Wears, R. (2010). Health information technology: fallacies and sober realities. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association: JAMIA, 17(6), 617–623.
• Norris, B. (2009). Human factors and safe patient care. Journal of Nursing Management, 17(2), 203–2 11.
• Erickson, L., & Lyon, T. (2008). How to fix a flawed process: The four rules of work design. Family Practice Management, 15(6), 29–33.
• Elrod, J., & Androwich, I. (2009). Applying human factors analysis to the design of the electronic health record. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 146, 132-6.
• Green, M. (2009). Medical equipment: Good design or bad design? Retrieved from
  http://www.visualexpert.com/Resources/mederror.html
• Carayon, P. (2010). Human factors in patient safety as an innovation. Applied Ergonomics, 41(5), 657-665.
• Agarwal, R., Khuntia, J. (2009). Personal Health Information and the Design of Consumer Health Information Technology: Background Report. (Prepared by Insight Policy Research under Contract No. HHSA290200710072T. AHRQ Publication No. 09-0075-EF. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. June 2009.) Pages 1–31 and 54–80. Retrieved from
  http://healthit.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/docs/citation/09-0075-EF.pdf
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. (2009, December 4).Glossary of Health-IT Terms.