ASSESSMENT OF THE INFORMATION FLOW FOR
PATIENT RECORDS IN A HEALTHMAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION
This research describes the existing flow of information pertaining to patient records in a health maintenance organization, and suggests how the efficiency of the process may be improved. The description of the existing flow of information is presented by graphically, in the form of a flow chart, and in narrative form.
Description of the Existing Information Flow
A flow chart of the transmission of information pertaining to patient records is presented in Chart 1, which may be found on the following page. As indicated by the chart, the flow of patient information within the health maintenance organization is both extensive and complex. A narrative description of the information flow pertaining to patient records is as follows:
1. When a patient has a need to contact the health maintenance organization for the purpose of receiving care, the patient communicates directly with the physician receptionist. At this point, the receptionist may either make an appointment for the patient to visit the clinic, or, if the patient needs to speak with either the nurse or the physician, the receptionist must (a) obtain the patient's clinical record from central clinical records, (b) provide the record to the nurse or physician, as appropriate, and (c) transfer the call to the nurse or physician, again, as appropriate. If an appointment to visit the clinic is made by the receptionist, the receptionist must also notify central clinical records. Chart 1
Existing Information Flow: Patient Records
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