Shortcuts to Streamline Workflows and Reduce Administrative Burden
There are many strategies that can help reduce administrative burden while delivering high-quality care. CAPC is compiling time-saving tips to help palliative care clinicians streamline administrative workflows and enhance practice effectiveness. If you or your team have any additional strategies to share, please share on CAPC Circles.
Note: Since health care technology systems, programs, confidentiality, and privacy policies may vary, the strategies outlined below should serve as a menu of ideas to discuss with your palliative care or information technology team, as applicable.
Epic EMR “Dot Phrases”
For clinicians working in Epic, you can start using this suggested verbiage today to save time and standardize documentation for common palliative care needs:
- .advancecareplanning or .acp
- .familymeeting
- .goalsofcare or .goc
- .painassessment
- .symptommanagement
- .qualityoflife
- .spiritualsupport
- .hospicereferral
- .bereavement
- .limitedlifesupport
To learn more using dot phrases (or similar strategies in your organization’s specific EHR), seek out your EHR consultant or organizational champion for support. As you gain confidence with these, you can continue to improve efficiency by spreading these to your department or working with IT to standardize across your organization.
Macros and Dictation
- Macros: Streamline repetitive tasks by setting up shortcuts for frequent orders and notes.
- Dictation: Utilize an AI Scribe (Nuance, Doximity, or Abridge)i to help write your notes, improving note quality and saving up to an hour of keyboard time each day. Smartphones also have dictation capabilities which could be used in conjunction with your company’s secure email if you’re on the go or if your organization does not provide software.
- Zoom AI Assistant: Activate the Zoom AI Assistant to generate an AI summary of your meeting (only available in a paid Zoom account).
i The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care is an emerging area and its implications are not fully understood. Make sure to consult your organization’s policies and procedures before use, and avoid sharing confidential or proprietary information.
Billing Resources
ICD-10 Codes: Use a comprehensive list categorized by system for easy reference.
Educational Resources
- CE Audio Subscriptions: Listen to continuing education lectures and seminars for Continuing Education (CEs) while on the go (Audio-Digest or ClinicalPulse).
- CAPC CEs: Complete CAPC courses via mobile devices to continue learning on your schedule.
Prioritization and Organization
Dedicate Time to Organize: Set aside one hour per week to organize tasks using a digital calendar or physical planner to reduce overwhelm and improve your workflow. Take control over the controllable in your schedule.
Timeboxing can be used as a technique to set aside a specific amount of time for a task; and the Eisenhower Matix can be used to help prioritize tasks by urgency and importance.