In preparing for workflow redesign for an EHR implementation, what is the first step?

• A. Map the current workflow
• B. Assess EHR Requirements
• C. Conduct surveys about the workflow
• D. Assess compatibility with the EHR

Answer: (A)

The first step in redesigning workflows for an EHR implementation is to map the current workflow. Understanding how work actually flows today provides the baseline you need to identify where inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and unnecessary handoffs occur. By documenting each step, who performs it, what data are needed, where data move, and where delays happen, you reveal gaps between the current practice and what the EHR can support. This as-is map makes it possible to see exactly which processes must change and how the new system should be configured to support them, rather than guessing at improvements.

While assessing EHR requirements or gathering input about the workflow can be valuable, those activities rely on a clear view of the existing processes. Without mapping the current state first, you risk missing steps or misaligning the system with real workflows. Assessing compatibility with the EHR is a later step once you know what needs to be supported, and surveys or input collection should complement the mapping to enrich accuracy, not replace the foundational understanding provided by an as-is workflow map.