Improving Cardiology Patient Outcomes with Custom EHR Workflows

In recent years, electronic health records (EHRs) have played a pivotal role in cardiovascular disease research. EHRs also affect the quality of ongoing medical care and patient outcomes. When EHRs are appropriately integrated and managed, they can reduce the risk of errors while enhancing the speed, scale, and accuracy of medical information retrieval. 

However, cardiology offices can take this one step further, implementing custom EHR workflows. By embracing advanced tools for more accurate, personalized, and effective cardiovascular care, you enhance patient outcomes and quality of life. You also run a more efficient and profitable practice. 

Take a look at why custom EHR workflows are so beneficial for cardiology offices and the benefits of specialized templates and data-driven dashboards. 

The Link Between EHR Workflows and Patient Outcomes

EHRs provide a rich source of patient information, enabling the seamless delivery of healthcare. As a cardiologist, you need access to various data sources, ranging from lab measurements (chemical lab tests, biomarkers, and complete blood counts) to vital signs (heart rate, body mass index, and blood pressure). You can retrieve information from your EHR on diagnoses, procedures, medications, and healthcare utilization.

The data within these digital health records present opportunities to analyze, predict, and intervene to improve patient care and outcomes. 

Here are some ways EHR workflows improve patient outcomes:

• Better decision-making: Since EHRs provide instant access to patient data, test results, and clinical guidelines, cardiologists can make more informed, evidence-based decisions for patients.

• Reduced medical errors: EHRs help decrease the likelihood of medical errors, such as those associated with missed information and incorrect prescriptions. 

• Improved patient safety: When workflows are streamlined and information is readily available, cardiologists can more effectively identify at-risk patients and ensure the completion of necessary testing, improving overall patient safety. 

• Enhanced communication: Up-to-date EHRs encourage better communication between providers and patients, which is essential for collaborative treatment planning. 

• More efficient, timely care: Integrated EHRs help reduce delays in treatment, which directly impacts patient outcomes. Cardiologists can also identify patterns in patient data, enabling them to more effectively assess and manage specific risk factors. 

Custom EHR Workflows for Cardiologists

Custom EHR workflows move beyond the generic EHR design, focusing on the specific needs of various specialists, such as cardiologists. Here is what you can expect as a cardiologist when investing in custom EHR workflows.

• Specialized content: You can access templates that allow for greater customization, tailored to your practice's unique processes and needs. For example, you may want templates that focus on ECG interpretation and chronic care management. These templates can be integrated into your workflow, allowing you to spend less time on repetitive documentation.

• Optimal process alignment: Workflows are created and built to match the sequence of events and anticipated data flow within your practice. This customization ensures that tasks are completed in a logical and efficient order.

• Automation and integration: When you seek custom solutions, they often automate behind-the-scenes tasks, streamlining administrative and clinical workflows. Enabling tasks across different systems helps improve efficiency and reduce errors. You can then focus more on patient care, including interactions, diagnoses, and treatments — all of which contribute to improved outcomes. 

How Custom Templates and Dashboards Improve Patient Outcomes

In addition to the business-related benefits, including improved EHR operations, reporting, and business intelligence, custom EHRs have a direct impact on patient outcomes. Here's how. 

How Templates Support Better Patient Care

One of the significant improvements cardiologists experience when using custom templates is documentation quality and consistency. Since repetitive documentation is reduced, cardiologists can focus more on patient interactions and clinical decision-making, rather than spending time on manual data entry.  

These templates ensure that essential patient data is consistently captured, resulting in more complete and accurate patient records, while promoting more consistent and standardized care. EHR templates can also be designed to support adherence to guidelines and ensure compliance, ultimately benefiting both practices and patients. 

By integrating templates with other systems, you will support interoperability between systems, ensuring patient data is comprehensive yet flows smoothly. Complete patient data helps you provide the best possible care and achieve better outcomes. 

Think of EHR custom templates as structured formats for specialized procedures, cardiac exams, and conditions. They are specialty-specific and often include cardiology SOAP notes, but can be further customized to meet specific needs.

What About Dashboards? How Are They Linked to Patient Outcomes?

With access to a digital summary of clinical insights, you can quickly and accurately view a patient's status. This format can make it easier to spot potential trends and patterns, allowing you to take a proactive approach. By viewing a real-time dashboard, you can identify changes that may require intervention. 

Whenever possible, especially as a cardiologist, you want to help your patients adopt a proactive approach, rather than relying on reactive strategies. Monitor conditions and track adherence more easily, such as the use of heart failure medication, to improve patient outcomes. 

Think of cardiology EHR dashboards as a centralized view of patient cardiology information, including ECG graphs, medications, imaging, lab results, and medical history. These dashboards optimize workflows, facilitate seamless data exchange, and promote informed decision-making. 

Partner With TempDev's Consultants Today

Seeking customized support for your cardiology office? 

Whether you need NextGen EHR specialist templates, custom dashboards, or any other customized solution to improve EHR workflows, TempDev can help. 

Have questions? Contact us today!