Sequencing Work Flow


Sequencing and Status fields

Correct use of sequencing helps to manage the work flow by making it easy for each staff member to see what is assigned to her/him, thereby enhancing efficiency in every area of the clinic (see also Advancing the Work Flow). When a form is loaded, the Sequence and Status area at the top of the screen provides a convenient way to update the work-flow status of an order. Information in these fields provides a definitive answer to "what happens next" with this order and "who is supposed to do it." The Next Seq. # automatically increments by one when a form is opened on the assumption that the user will complete the form, save it, and exit, moving the order on to the next owner. Any default status, work group, or owner information associated with the Seq. # (defined in the Task Prototype for the order, see Setting up Work Flow Sequences) updates and displays in the Next Status, Next Group, and Next Owner fields as well. Remember, if an order has no status, group, or owner associated with it, then it does not display in anyone's chart box and it may slip through the cracks.

If you open a PDF form for viewing and Exit without saving, the Seq. # returns to the same value it was before the form was opened. If you open a PDF document that was attached to an order via the Orders - Attach File screen and Exit without saving or flattening, the Seq. # returns to the same value it was before the form was opened.

Note: Saving will advance the work flow; if saving is not available, then you must use the Flatten button to advance the work flow.

The Select >> button provides access to alternate work-flow options, and the user is free to select any combination of (Next) Seq. #, Status, Group, and Owner options, including none, from the selection grids that display. For example, if the nurse has not finished filling out the form but needs to save it and return to it later, the example shown below should remain in Seq.#1, Charting, instead of moving on to Pending – results. In this situation, the nurse would change the Next Seq # back to 1 to prevent the increment that would otherwise occur when she saves and exits the form window.


Select button changes <<Hide

Remember, the form must be saved to incorporate changes made to work-flow sequencing from the Select >> selection grids. If the current user does not save the form, but simply views it and exits, then the sequence does not advance to the next sequence number. If staff members question why a form remains in their Chart Box when they know they looked at it, the problem is that looking at it is all they did: by failing to Save it, they also failed to advance the form/order to the next step in the work-flow sequence. Conversely, a user can lose the ownership of an order/form by saving and exiting before s/he is done and forgetting to move the sequence back manually.