What does "clinical workflow" refer to in healthcare data management?

"Clinical workflow" refers to the sequence of processes involved in patient care, encompassing the various steps that healthcare professionals follow to deliver services effectively. This includes actions such as patient registration, diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up care. Understanding clinical workflow is crucial in healthcare data management as it helps streamline processes, improve efficiency, and enhance the quality of patient care. By properly mapping and analyzing the workflow, organizations can identify areas for improvement, implement technology solutions, and ensure that data management practices align with clinical needs. This emphasis on the structured sequence of activities distinguishes clinical workflow from aspects like marketing strategies, payment processes, or technology specifications, which do not inherently reflect the direct care delivery processes involved in patient management.