Advancements in Audiology Workflow
Dr. Tiffany McDonald is enthusiastic about sharing significant developments with her fellow audiologists across Virginia. She highlights the transformative impact of the Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR) system in enhancing workflow management and improving audiology services for Veterans.
Efficiency Boosts for Audiologists
McDonald, a super user for the Alaska VA Healthcare System, reported that the system went live with the Federal EHR on October 24. Since the implementation, she has introduced numerous productivity improvements, such as auto-text features and order favorites, which are optimizing the daily activities of the four-member audiology team in Alaska.
A notable feature is the development of dot phrases for various diagnostic codes, which can be stored in a favorites folder. These dot phrases serve as templates that allow clinicians to quickly incorporate standard texts into their documentation, thereby saving time and ensuring consistency in clinical notes.
As a result, when a Veteran comes in for services like hearing aid fittings, creating a new template for each appointment is no longer necessary. McDonald stated, “I can create a favorites folder where I just click a button and find that patient’s order information.”
Enhanced Record Access
The ability to share records more easily is particularly beneficial for audiologists in Alaska, who frequently collaborate with community care providers across the expansive state.
“Previously, to obtain community care records, a second system was required to be opened,” McDonald noted. “Now these records are all in one location, making them substantially easier to access.”
Additionally, she commended the functionality of the Message Center, which allows patients to reach out directly to the audiology team. This tool enhances access to patient information, enabling staff to view all scheduled patients for the day along with their appointment details.
Future Prospects for Patient Care
During the transition to the new EHR system, McDonald has had limited patient interactions while concentrating on establishing operational efficiencies for her colleagues. She is looking forward to utilizing these enhancements in her practice. Although it is premature to determine the exact time savings for her team, McDonald believes these improvements will create much-needed capacity in their schedules.
Currently, any interruptions in patient appointments are often filled with administrative duties. With the efficiencies introduced by the Federal EHR, McDonald anticipates that her team will finally have the opportunity to focus on specialized needs that are critical for their clinic and patients.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
