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Asked by elgiva9amoah
Recently, our oncology service line implemented a new patient portal platform that would maximize patient access and communication and improve nursing workflow and staff utilization. It would also be a platform to communicate in large volume for system alerts and distribution of treatment and diagnosis-based questionnaires to patients. Data generation and utilization would be instrumental in the practice’s care and follow-up success. Our health system had recently navigated a ransomware attack situation. Our data recovery and security were critical to successfully implementing a patient portal separate from the primary health system’s software. This software had to interface with Varian and Meditech software, imaging, and their subsidiaries used in the oncology surgical suites. We interviewed several software companies with a core group of nurses, nurse informatics, information technology analysts, and support staff to determine the best fit and potential for future use.Â
With the knowledge that our health system would be making a system-wide upgrade, Noona software would meet the current needs and future endeavors. As several core team nurse evaluators reviewed software and developed a timeline of staff training, patient introduction, and implementation or go-live event, we identified how to utilize the new software to engage each stakeholder.Â
For example, savvy patients would no longer need to make multiple phone calls to report a change in status. Instead, the patient/caregiver could access the patient portal to input the data from their devices, such as glucose readings from monitors, blood pressure machines, and smartwatches, to relay details post-treatment. In addition, patient data input would prioritize based on response and artificial intelligence to determine the order of hierarchy for staff to address, thus, moving critical entries to the top for immediate response and directives through the portal. This self-reported data would queue for providers and team members to immediately respond to inquiries and reduce the time-consuming phone calls for things such as refills or appointment changes. In addition, patients and caregivers would each be able to read and reinforce the directives to each other, thus reducing the chance of misunderstanding. For the nurses, this software translated the entries to documentation and developed a chart event note at the click of a few keys. This method greatly improved documentation recording and reduced errors in reported data. In addition, it minimizes the phone log work and improves the in-clinic availability of the nurses to assist the providers with tasks resulting in less wait time.Â
Overall, the portal has been received well by most that recognize the full potential of improving workflow. The challenge remains of the patient and staff utilization. It does not hinder staff from responding to inquiries and allows for a time clock to monitor staff response time to patients. This time clock evaluates staff timeliness to address queries and whether process improvement initiatives are needed. In addition, we plan to utilize software surveys based on the patient’s diagnosis and treatment regimen that will then be pushed out to patients at specific intervals to evaluate their health. Ideally, this will improve patient satisfaction with post-treatment evaluation. Finally, when administering toxic chemicals such as chemotherapy, radiation, and new immunotherapy, it is imperative to make contact with patients/caregivers to reinforce expectations and care instructions. The office staff can utilize software to screen patients for problematic side effects. A timely response can improve patient compliance and maintain treatment cycle regimens without deviations. With increased patient workloads, reduced staffing, complex treatments, and less time for phone calls, artificial intelligence will significantly improve workflow and timely response to the rise in patient volumes and complex needs. Â
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SCIENCE
HEALTH SCIENCE
NURSING
NURS 4620