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Results for “workflow”

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At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

PubMed1986

Application of network planning methodology to workflow analysis in a reference laboratory.

Efficient organization of the workflow in a reference laboratory is essential to timely resolution of serological problems. This study investigated the usefulness of network planning methods to streamline workflow in a blood center reference laboratory. The investigation of a patient serological problem which included a positive direct antiglobulin test was chosen for analysis. Individual steps in the resolution process were identified. All possible logical sequences of these steps were investigated to determine which steps were along the 'critical path', the sequence of steps which is rate-limiting. By implementing new procedures for these steps, faster resolution of a problem should result. The Program Evaluation Review Technique predicted that altering procedures to shorten 3 steps (autoadsorption, antibody identification panel at 37 degrees C and screening for antigen-negative units) would result in a decrease in the time required to complete a patient problem by 29%. Time-motion studies documented a 35% improvement in problem resolution time with the new procedures (p greater than 0.05). Utilization of the network planning techniques in an immunohematological laboratory may allow for more efficient and expedient operation.

Clinical Laboratory Techniques↗

PubMed2005

MicroGen: a MIAME compliant web system for microarray experiment information and workflow management.

BACKGROUND: Improvements of bio-nano-technologies and biomolecular techniques have led to increasing production of high-throughput experimental data. Spotted cDNA microarray is one of the most diffuse technologies, used in single research laboratories and in biotechnology service facilities. Although they are routinely performed, spotted microarray experiments are complex procedures entailing several experimental steps and actors with different technical skills and roles. During an experiment, involved actors, who can also be located in a distance, need to access and share specific experiment information according to their roles. Furthermore, complete information describing all experimental steps must be orderly collected to allow subsequent correct interpretation of experimental results. RESULTS: We developed MicroGen, a web system for managing information and workflow in the production pipeline of spotted microarray experiments. It is constituted of a core multi-database system able to store all data completely characterizing different spotted microarray experiments according to the Minimum Information About Microarray Experiments (MIAME) standard, and of an intuitive and user-friendly web interface able to support the collaborative work required among multidisciplinary actors and roles involved in spotted microarray experiment production. MicroGen supports six types of user roles: the researcher who designs and requests the experiment, the spotting operator, the hybridisation operator, the image processing operator, the system administrator, and the generic public user who can access the unrestricted part of the system to get information about MicroGen services. CONCLUSION: MicroGen represents a MIAME compliant information system that enables managing workflow and supporting collaborative work in spotted microarray experiment production.

Computational Biology↗

PubMed2006

Laboratory Information Management Software for genotyping workflows: applications in high throughput crop genotyping.

BACKGROUND: With the advances in DNA sequencer-based technologies, it has become possible to automate several steps of the genotyping process leading to increased throughput. To efficiently handle the large amounts of genotypic data generated and help with quality control, there is a strong need for a software system that can help with the tracking of samples and capture and management of data at different steps of the process. Such systems, while serving to manage the workflow precisely, also encourage good laboratory practice by standardizing protocols, recording and annotating data from every step of the workflow. RESULTS: A laboratory information management system (LIMS) has been designed and implemented at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) that meets the requirements of a moderately high throughput molecular genotyping facility. The application is designed as modules and is simple to learn and use. The application leads the user through each step of the process from starting an experiment to the storing of output data from the genotype detection step with auto-binning of alleles; thus ensuring that every DNA sample is handled in an identical manner and all the necessary data are captured. The application keeps track of DNA samples and generated data. Data entry into the system is through the use of forms for file uploads. The LIMS provides functions to trace back to the electrophoresis gel files or sample source for any genotypic data and for repeating experiments. The LIMS is being presently used for the capture of high throughput SSR (simple-sequence repeat) genotyping data from the legume (chickpea, groundnut and pigeonpea) and cereal (sorghum and millets) crops of importance in the semi-arid tropics. CONCLUSION: A laboratory information management system is available that has been found useful in the management of microsatellite genotype data in a moderately high throughput genotyping laboratory. The application with source code is freely available for academic users and can be downloaded from http://www.icrisat.org/gt-bt/lims/lims.asp.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2006

XML schemas for common bioinformatic data types and their application in workflow systems.

BACKGROUND: Today, there is a growing need in bioinformatics to combine available software tools into chains, thus building complex applications from existing single-task tools. To create such workflows, the tools involved have to be able to work with each other's data--therefore, a common set of well-defined data formats is needed. Unfortunately, current bioinformatic tools use a great variety of heterogeneous formats. RESULTS: Acknowledging the need for common formats, the Helmholtz Open BioInformatics Technology network (HOBIT) identified several basic data types used in bioinformatics and developed appropriate format descriptions, formally defined by XML schemas, and incorporated them in a Java library (BioDOM). These schemas currently cover sequence, sequence alignment, RNA secondary structure and RNA secondary structure alignment formats in a form that is independent of any specific program, thus enabling seamless interoperation of different tools. All XML formats are available at http://bioschemas.sourceforge.net, the BioDOM library can be obtained at http://biodom.sourceforge.net. CONCLUSION: The HOBIT XML schemas and the BioDOM library simplify adding XML support to newly created and existing bioinformatic tools, enabling these tools to interoperate seamlessly in workflow scenarios.

Algorithms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Integration of a clinical community pharmacist position: emphasis on workflow design.

OBJECTIVE: To design and implement a scope of practice for a clinical pharmacist position and assess the clinical and economic impact of a Diabetes Medication Management Program in a community pharmacy setting. SETTING: Independent community pharmacy in an urban area. PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: Standard dispensing and consultative services and durable medical equipment supplies and services were offered in the pharmacy. Approximately 260 prescriptions were dispensed per 10-hour workday. PRACTICE INNOVATION: Pharmacy workflow was redesigned with workstations in which each position was occupied at all times by pharmacy technicians or pharmacists. Clinical pharmacy interventions were delivered while normal dispensing processes continued. INTERVENTIONS: A Clinical Community Pharmacist provided education and counseling to patients newly diagnosed with diabetes as well as services to patients with other chronic diseases. RESULTS: During the first 6 months of the project, 221 clinical interventions were made; 16 patients with diabetes (who had received 67 of the interventions) were enrolled in a medication management program. CONCLUSION: A Clinical Community Pharmacist in an urban setting can deliver clinical services during the normal dispensing process using an efficient workflow design.

Community Pharmacy Services↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The adoption gap: health information technology in small physician practices. Understanding office workflow can help realize the promise of technology.

Health information technology (HIT) can promote higher quality, lower costs, and increased patient and clinician satisfaction. Yet small practice settings (where the vast majority of patient care is provided) have been slow to adopt HIT products and services. Successful adoption requires close attention to office workflow, or how tasks are organized and resources used to achieve outcomes. HIT improvements in the small physician office setting are achieved through strong leadership, strategic planning, process reengineering, change management, and customizing IT systems to match and support desired office workflows and health care outcomes.

Diffusion of Innovation↗

PubMed2005

Evaluation of a 16-MDCT scanner in an emergency department: initial clinical experience and workflow analysis.

OBJECTIVE: MDCT is especially suited for emergency purposes because it allows rapid high-resolution scans of large areas, fast high-quality reformatting in every orientation, and 3D illustration of the data set. In a prospective study, we evaluated the reliability and workflow of a dedicated emergency department 16-MDCT scanner in the management of patients presenting to the emergency department. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The use of a 16-MDCT scanner for 503 patients in the emergency department of a university clinic was evaluated. For reasons of workflow analysis, seven precise time intervals were recorded during the emergency examinations. A new setting for repositioning multiple-trauma patients after imaging of the head and neck from the head-first position to the feet-first position was introduced. RESULTS: Six (1.2%) of the 503 patients were excluded because of technical malfunction or patient noncompliance. Image quality in the remaining 497 cases, including CT angiography and CT of multiple-trauma patients, was outstanding. Positioning of the patients took from 3 to 13 min depending on the body region examined, representing 33-67% of the mean room time, which ranged from 8 to 21 min. In multiple-trauma patients, the initial positioning took a mean of 6 min and repositioning took 8 min, representing 19% and 26% of total room time, respectively. CONCLUSION: The use of a dedicated 16-MDCT scanner in the emergency department resulted in short examination times even for examinations of multiple body regions under emergency conditions. The introduced setting-repositioning of multiple-trauma patients-allowed high image quality to be maintained. The trade-off in multiple-trauma patients was prolonged room time because of patient repositioning.

Efficiency, Organizational↗

PubMed2026

Surgical management of jugular foramen meningiomas: a function-prioritized perioperative workflow.

OBJECTIVE: Jugular foramen meningiomas are challenging because of their deep, neurovascularly crowded location and multicompartment extension; hyperostosis and rigid dural attachment further narrow the corridor and increase the risk of lower cranial nerve morbidity, causing dysphagia and airway complications that may rarely require tracheostomy. This study aimed to describe a contemporary function-first workflow integrating compartment-based anatomy, venous sinus status, preoperative embolization, and continuous vagus nerve monitoring and its relation to clinically actionable recovery endpoints. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed 26 consecutive patients who underwent primary surgery for jugular foramen meningiomas (2014-2025). Tumors were classified as intradural + intrajugular (IJ) or intradural + intrajugular + extracranial extension (IJE). Retrosigmoid, suprajugular, or transjugular approaches were selected by tumor extension and sigmoid-jugular venous status. Selective embolization and continuous vagus nerve monitoring were used when feasible. Outcomes included extubation timing, time to oral intake, 1-year swallowing/voice severity, extent of resection, and salvage stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for progression/regrowth. RESULTS: Twenty tumors were IJ and 6 were IJE. Selective embolization was performed in 16 patients (62%) without complications. Continuous vagus nerve monitoring was implemented in 16 patients (62%); lower preservation rates showed an exploratory association with worse 1-year swallowing. All patients were extubated immediately after surgery. Oral intake began by postoperative day ≤ 7 in 20 patients (77%); only 1 required > 14 days before resuming oral intake. At 1 year, swallowing and hoarseness remained worse in 54% and 46% of patients, respectively, but almost all cases were mild; the same patient had moderate dysphagia/hoarseness, and none required tracheostomy, gastrostomy, long-term tube feeding, or phonosurgery. Simpson grade IV comprised 69% of cases but predominantly reflected intrajugular/extracranial residual rather than persistent intradural disease. No patient without preoperative facial nerve palsy developed new palsy; serviceable hearing was preserved in 70%, and 38% with preoperative nonserviceable hearing improved to serviceable hearing. During a median 55.6-month follow-up, 3 patients (12%) underwent salvage SRS for regrowth; none required reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: A function-first workflow guided by anatomical compartment extension and intraoperative monitoring can support rapid recovery and durable functional independence in jugular foramen meningiomas. The IJE phenotype identifies a higher-risk subgroup for delayed oral intake and postoperative subjective dysphagia/hoarseness, while continuous vagus nerve monitoring may provide actionable insights to calibrate surgical aggressiveness and support function-prioritized acceptance of intrajugular/extracranial residual with close surveillance and salvage SRS when needed.

Humans↗

PubMed2005

OrthoPilot total hip arthroplasty workflow and surgery.

To analyze the workflow and navigation principles of the OrthoPilot total hip arthroplasty (THA) Version 2.0 (B. Braun-Aesculap, Tuttlingen, Germany), a consecutive series of 60 patients was used to compare the navigated intraoperative data and postoperative measurements of stem and cup position. Within the safe zone, 96.3% of 54 acetabular cups were positioned. The rotational accuracy of femoral instruments was 65 degrees in 41 THAs. The femoral offset was medialized by 6.05 mm in 76% and lateralized by 2.1 mm in 14%. The data for leg length and range of motion from 60 THAs and the navigated data were similar. Thus, the first clinical validation of the workflow of the OrthoPilot THA Version 2.0 is encouraging.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip↗

PubMed2026

Hard to Halt: Automation Bias in Agent-Driven Sequencing Prior Authorization Workflows.

PURPOSE: Prior authorization (PA) for exome or genome sequencing is a time-consuming process that impedes timely rare disease diagnosis. Large language model-based browser agents offer potential for automating these workflows, but their clinical reliability remain uncharacterized. METHODS: We developed a sandbox compromising a simulated ES/GS PA submission payer portal and a synthetic EHR containing 836 patient records spanning compliant profiles and deficient profiles with different types of issues. Gemini 3 Pro, Gemini 3 Flash, and Claude Opus 4.5 were evaluated on task completion rate, form completion accuracy, and appropriate withholding for deficient profiles. RESULTS: Larger models achieved much higher task completion rates (Gemini 3 Pro 95.45%, Claude Opus 4.5 93.67%) compared to Gemini 3 Flash (56.05%), but nearly universally failed to withhold submission for deficient profiles whereas Gemini 3 Flash ironically demonstrated superior withholding performance (17.33%). In a non-agentic setting, Gemini 3 Pro correctly identified 91% of the issues in deficient profiles, indicating that withholding failure is attributable to the browser interaction rather than the model's reasoning limitations. CONCLUSION: Current LLM-based browser agents exhibit a systematic bias towards form submission that poses risks in PA workflows. A modular, multi-agent architecture with human supervision is necessary for a safe clinical deployment.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Workflow analysis an international tool: cost reduction while retaining personnel.

Throughout the world, governments and health-care facilities have been under pressure to reduce the costs associated with providing health care. Through the use of workflow analysis, many laboratory administrators have identified cost-saving measures. Consolidating technology (workstations) and reducing personnel have generated significant cost reductions for the laboratory. However, there are parts of the world where it is impossible to displace personnel, for example Spain. This case study, conducted in Catalonia, Spain, demonstrates how laboratory administrators, through the use of workflow analysis, can identify cost-saving measures without reducing laboratory personnel.

Cost Savings↗

PubMed1999

Computer imaging and workflow systems in the business office.

Computer imaging and workflow technology automates many business processes that currently are performed using paper processes. Documents are scanned into the imaging system and placed in electronic patient account folders. Authorized users throughout the organization, including preadmission, verification, admission, billing, cash posting, customer service, and financial counseling staff, have online access to the information they need when they need it. Such streamlining of business functions can increase collections and customer satisfaction while reducing labor, supply, and storage costs. Because the costs of a comprehensive computer imaging and workflow system can be considerable, healthcare organizations should consider implementing parts of such systems that can be cost-justified or include implementation as part of a larger strategic technology initiative.

Admitting Department, Hospital↗

PubMed2000

Conceptual integration of guidelines and workflow into the electronic health record.

Even though computerized practice guidelines and workflow management (WfM) are proven effective techniques to improving quality of care and reducing costs, they are not widely deployed today. One reason for this is the impedance mismatch between guideline systems and electronic heath record (EHR) systems. This paper presents the Unified Service Action Model (USAM) that has been developed for the HL7 Reference Information Model and that conceptually integrates guidelines and workflow management into the EHR. We argue that the information items recorded in the EHR are logically similar to guideline and WfM definition. Therefore, guidelines and EHR reuse the same information structure in the USAM. This reuse is possible through a technique borrowed from natural language grammar and modal logic. The conceptual alignment of guidelines, WfM and the EHR could facilitate the sharing and deployment of guidelines in routine health care.

Efficiency↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pre-analytical workflow analysis reveals simple changes and can result in improved hospital efficiency.

Workflow analysis is an ongoing process for laboratory managers. Throughout the years, laboratory managers have made many changes such as creating a core laboratory, consolidating technology, and implementing a new laboratory information system, all of which will have an immediate impact on laboratory operations. However, after implementation of any change in the laboratory, one should follow up with a pre- and/or postanalytical workflow assessment. This case study evaluates the pre-analytical impact of analytical changes made more than a year ago.

Child↗

PubMed2001

Workflow design as a basis for component interaction.

This paper presents a workflow case study on radiation therapy. The workflow model was developed with a conventional CASE tool aiming to effectively support further developments in respective directions of simulation, effects on organisational structures, quality assurance, component interaction and logistics of information with efficient human-computer interactions.

Computer Simulation↗

PubMed2003

The Effects of CPOE on ICU workflow: an observational study.

Computerized physician order entry (CPOE) has had demonstrated benefits in error reduction and guideline adherence, but its implementation has often been complicated by disruptions in established workflow processes. We conducted an observational study of the healthcare team in an intensive care unit after the implementation of mandatory CPOE. We found that policies designed to increase flexibility and safety led to an increased coordination load on the healthcare team, and created opportunities for new sources of error. We attribute this in part to implicit assumptions in the CPOE system design that execution of physician orders is a linear work process. Observational workflow studies are an important tool to understand how to redesign CPOE systems so as to avoid harm and achieve the full potential of benefit for improved patient safety.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2002

Developing a virtual patient record as a web-based workflow system.

Virtual patient records provide a means for integrated access to patient information that may be scattered around different healthcare settings. Within the boundaries of a health district providing all levels of care, this concept can be implemented in a corporate Intranet environment to support longitudinal patient care activities across the participating healthcare providers. In this context, a virtual patient record implementation enables autonomous healthcare providers to operate in a cooperative working environment and apply continuity of care. Workflow systems bring this collaboration and cooperation into effect by automatically routing the medical information needed to authorized actors in a healthcare process. This paper presents a virtual patient record framework that allows integrating geographically dispersed medical information within a health district and enhancing collaboration and coordination of authorized workgroups by means of a web-based workflow system. An implementation of the proposed framework is also presented.

Greece↗

PubMed2005

AdaptFlow: protocol-based medical treatment using adaptive workflows.

OBJECTIVES: In many medical domains investigator-initiated clinical trials are used to introduce new treatments and hence act as implementations of guideline-based therapies. Trial protocols contain detailed instructions to conduct the therapy and additionally specify reactions to exceptional situations (for instance an infection or a toxicity). To increase quality in health care and raise the number of patients treated according to trial protocols, a consultation system is needed that supports the handling of the complex trial therapy processes efficiently. Our objective was to design and evaluate a consultation system that should 1) observe the status of the therapies currently being applied, 2) offer automatic recognition of exceptional situations and appropriate decision support and 3) provide an automatic adaptation of affected therapy processes to handle exceptional situations. METHODS: We applied a hybrid approach that combines process support for the timely and efficient execution of the therapy processes as offered by workflow management systems with a knowledge and rule base and a mechanism for dynamic workflow adaptation to change running therapy processes if induced by changed patient condition. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: This approach has been implemented in the AdaptFlow prototype. We performed several evaluation studies on the practicability of the approach and the usefulness of the system. These studies show that the AdaptFlow prototype offers adequate support for the execution of real-world investigator-initiated trial protocols and is able to handle a large number of exceptions.

Clinical Protocols↗