AHRQ Requests Information from Small- and Medium-sized Practices on Tools for Analyzing and Redesigning Workflow Before or After Health IT Implementation

Information is needed from small- and medium-sized physician practices/clinics that have implemented or are considering implementing health IT about how they study or redesign their workflow, including information on the use of tools, methods or data reports for studying workflow.  Organizations (experts, vendors or professional associations) that have developed, implemented and used tools, methods or data reports for studying workflow in the context of health IT implementation are also requested to provide feedback.  Workflow is defined as the way work is performed and patient-related information is communicated within small- and medium-sized practices and between those practices and external organizations, such as community pharmacies and local hospitals.  Responses to questions will be incorporated into a toolkit used to assist small- and medium-sized practices in analyzing or redesigning workflow, either before or after health IT implementation.

To read the full notice in the Federal Register Vol. 74, No. 121, visit http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-14947.htm. For a PDF version of the notice, visit http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-14947.pdf.

For additional information you may visit the project website at http://cqpi.engr.wisc.edu/withit_home.  Comments should be submitted on or before August 24, 2009.  Electronic responses are preferred and should be addressed to WorkflowRFI@ahrq.hhs.gov.  Non-electronic responses will also be accepted.