Introduction to Business Process Reengineering in Healthcare
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by Rumaisa
Introduction to Business Process Reengineering
Business process reengineering (BPR) has become a critical strategy for enhancing efficiency and workflows related to patient care. This is because BPR analyzes and redesigns workflows seamlessly, allowing healthcare companies to decrease costs, improve productivity, and ultimately improve patient and staff satisfaction [1]. Furthermore, BPR integrates human-centered design (HCD), by prioritizing the needs of everyone involved in the healthcare process. Therefore, it’s important to discuss how BPR can elevate healthcare delivery systems’ effectiveness.
Successfully Implementing BPR
The first step in BPR is to have a clear picture of what process needs to be re-engineered [2]. This involves collecting and organizing data so that weaknesses can be identified so they can be addressed promptly [2]. This may also require communication with stakeholders and staff to create functional requirements and goals [2]. Next, the process must be broken down to identify any bottlenecks or issues in the workflow [2]. Then, the process can begin to be redesigned, so that the earlier identified inefficiencies and workflow issues can be addressed and streamlined.
Afterward, the new workflow must be tested, preferably on a small scale, so that any overlooked issues can be brought to attention and addressed. This is also where stakeholder input is critical to ensure that functional requirements have been sufficiently met. After the testing phase, the new workflow can be implemented on a much larger company-wide scale [2]. This often requires training and effective user adoption so that stakeholders are comfortable with the new changes. Finally, the last step is to continue to monitor and test the new process periodically, to ensure that it is meeting requirements and goals [2]. Overall, BPR is a continuous process that continuously tests and improves workflows.
Integrating BPR with HCD
Although BPR is crucial to meeting stakeholder needs, there must also be a close relationship between BPR and HCD. For instance, systems that implement HCD with BPR often prioritize empathy and accessibility in their solutions. Furthermore, this integration leads to more intuitive interfaces that increase both satisfaction and comfort. This often comes from BPR requiring a collaborative approach with stakeholders, so that all voices are heard in the design and testing process. Furthermore, implementing HCD ensures that stakeholders are considered throughout the process to lead to effective and user-friendly solutions.
Therefore, BPR must receive input from many resources, such as medical staff, patients, and different levels of leadership so that workflows can be streamlined to provide comfort for all users. This can also decrease administrative burdens and improve collaboration. For instance, redesigning patient portals to be more user-friendly can empower patients to use them more and connect with their providers before symptoms or issues worsen. Additionally, EHR systems can be streamlined so that providers have more time with patients and less time with administrative burdens. Therefore, integrating HCD with BPR empowers stakeholders to be more engaged, collaborative, and satisfied. This compassionate and responsive approach to healthcare results in better outcomes for all stakeholders.
HITS
HITS provides healthcare management services & works with doctors to develop health informatics tools that promote safe and secure care. We take pride in our services and settle for nothing other than 100% quality solutions for our clients. Having the right team assist with data sharing is crucial to encouraging collaborative and secure care. HITS also focuses on transforming health care by analyzing integrated medical solutions and evaluating information systems. Our goal is to enhance individual and population health outcomes, improve patient care, and strengthen the clinician-patient relationship by incorporating HCD practices.
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