Improving Workflow at the Organization Level in the Healthcare Industry

Abstract

Based on the proposed workflow system plan, the main aim is to alter the manner in which documents flow at ABC (as shown in Figure 1) to ensure that the system incorporates a new version of low of electronic information, as well as other relevant process improvements targeting Century Medical, DME Division, and Attendant/Medicaid Division. The figure below highlights the new system plan aimed at improving the previous state of ABC’s workflow organization. The Windows NT server on which the new system will operate exhibits specifications in terms of 60 GB hard drive and 1GB RAM. It is also expected that the server entails processors with Dual Pentium III 1GHz. At ABC, the new workflow system will be adopted and implemented in conjunction with the institution’s previous network, which exists in the form of Windows NT Fast Ethernet. It is further notable that the new system strives to support previous versions of ABC’s Adobe Acrobat Reader, Internet Explorer, and Windows installation. Three major forms of the proposed innovation will play a crucial role in introducing changes to ABC’s current workflow system. One of these forms constitutes LiquidOffice Web Desktop. Indeed, the role of this form will involve the use of Web browsers towards assessing the nature of eForm accounts. The second version will involve the LiquidOffice Form Server. The role of the latter will involve an eForm management system governed by centralized XML. Lastly, the proposed innovation will incorporate a LiquidOffice Form Designer that will operate in terms of XML form design distribution to Adobe® PDF and XML. With the workflow integration problem projected to be eliminated, this innovation’s cost-effectiveness will also be worth evaluating; especially regarding tangible benefits and costs. In this case, system parameters that will be evaluated to discern the degree of the proposed system’s cost-effectiveness include the cost of implementing the innovation, as well as the initial software and hardware cost. Regarding tangible benefits that will be evaluated to determine some of the beneficial effects that might accrue from ABC’s adoption of the proposed innovation, major parameters that will be examined include quick completion, the amount of time saved, the extent to which paper usage will be reduced, and improvements in ABC’s overall workflow productivity.