Why have there been changes to the EMR Phase 2.1 scope in relation to Community Services Referrals and Appointment Scheduling?

During the EMR Phase 2.1 design workshops, feedback from key stakeholders helped the EMR team to better understand the complexities surrounding the proposed move of community referrals (in paper or BOSSnet) and appointments (in iPM), including reporting, to the EMR as part of the EMR Phase 2.1 implementation.​

The EMR team listened when advised of the complexities around community referrals and appointments, as opposed to the more straight-forward specialist clinics referrals.  Through this feedback the EMR team understands the need to spend longer on the ambulatory referral design to ensure the build is tailored to suit the unique requirements. ​

As a result, a decision has been made to remove these workflows from the EMR Phase 2.1 scope, and to commence a separate project which will allow the detailed analysis required to ensure this functionality is tailored to the unique community referral workflow requirements.

This is a chance for the EMR team to investigate the administrative workflows in more detail and ensure they are properly scoped and the requirements understood.​  The undertaking of this project after EMR Phase 2.1, will allow the EMR team to develop greater experience in the unique referral workflows and to better support affected clinicians and administrators and their requirements.​

 

What will still be delivered in the EMR Phase 2.1 scope? ​

Clinical documentation went live as planned with EMR Phase 2.1.  You are now able to document all the assessments and care provision for your patient throughout their enrolment in your service, enhancing continuity and visibility.​

You can document in the EMR in the same way as other Western Health clinicians – bringing consistency across the organisation and an opportunity for other clinicians to view your notes.  All clinicians using the EMR have access to the full picture of care.​

In summary, clinical workflows are still in scope for EMR Phase 2.1, you are able to view and input patient information, but administrative workflows will not be in scope.​

 

What’s staying the same as what you do now? 

Internal referrals to your services will remain the same. They will be sent, received and triaged on paper or BOSSnet – this is the only clinical activity not in the EMR following the Phase 2.1 Go-Live.​

External referrals continue to be scanned in to BOSSnet, which is consistent with external referrals for Specialists Clinics Outpatients.  They will be triaged the same as now, on paper for BOSSnet.​

All scheduling of appointments and reporting of contacts remain in iPM.​

For further information please contact Ally Qvist, Chief Allied Health Informatics Officer, or Emily Sanders, EMR Phase 2 Specialists Clinics Project Manager.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 23rd August 2023