Always improving
Electronic procedure card systems aren't foolproof. We noticed that
inputting non-standardized procedure names resulted in incorrect
supplies and instruments ending up in ORs. That issue drove us to
move toward creating a standardized list of procedure names and
change our procedural documentation to the standardized nomencla-
ture. Using standardized procedure names is especially important if
your procedure card program is part of an integrated medical record
because the terminology you use will automatically populate in the
patient's chart, the operative report and the surgeon's daily progress
notes.
We're also planning to link procedures in the system with their cor-
responding CPT codes. That way a surgeon can schedule cases by
searching for procedure-specific CPT codes and filling out an elec-
tronic form, on which he can include his preferred dates and times
and requests for special equipment.
Working with electronic procedure cards has proven to be very ben-
eficial for our team. The technology has made our supply manage-
ment processes more efficient, updates are made more easily and
staff throughout the health system are on the same page with respect
to supply needs and requests. When it comes to providing top-notch
surgical care, that's important. We also pride ourselves on being the
regional leader in innovative practices and this technology keeps us
ahead of the game.
OSM
6 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • A P R I L 2 0 1 9
Ms. Turner (joni.turner@nmhs.org) is clinical informatics coordinator
and Mr. Jadlowski (jay.jadlowski@nmhs.org) is service executive of sur-
gical services at Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Neb.