FLOW3
Last updated
Share PrintFLOW3 is a system built by a team of VA staff including physicians, prosthetists, prosthetics purchasing, contracting, and administrative staff that will transform the process for prosthetic limb care. It was designed to work alongside CPRS using custom software, including the FLOW Consult Comment© application and a web-based application that will transition with VA to Cerner.
Origin:
October 2017, Seattle VA Medical Center
Adoptions:
160 successful, 18 in-progress
Awards and Recognition:
FedHealth IT Award, Gears of Government Winner, Igniting Innovation Award, QUERI Partnered Evaluation Initiative, VHA Shark Tank Winner
Recent Updates
Overview
The problem
The solution
The results
Metrics
- Impacting the lives of Veterans with limb loss who are prescribed a prosthetic limb.
Diffusion tracker
Does not include Clinical Resource Hubs (CRH)
Multimedia
Images
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FLOW3 creates excellent results for Veterans with limb loss. FLOW3 has been implemented in over 140 facilities, improved the lives over 40,000 patients, and continues to grow. This practice generates a 50% increase in productivity, from initial prescription to final prosthetic limb delivery. FLOW3 continues to contribute to the medical performance goal of “spreading innovation and best practices to modernize systems and optimize market area health systems.”
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The FLOW3 story begins and ends with the Veteran/ Provider relationship. Prosthesis prescription through an easy-to-use template, with standard format and built-in codes, results in consistent, clear, and thorough prescription.
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The Prosthetist uses the Consult Comment Tool for Prescription coding. Easy application of codes eliminates need for back-and-forth with physician, outside vendors, and purchasing agent. It's easier to document the fabrication activity!
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The FLOW3 Web-based App is used by all staff involved with managing prosthetic limb care. Dashboards provide improved visibility and transparency and facilitate communication and workflow.
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FLOW3 provides a faster process from prescription (Rx) to purchase order (PO) to limb delivery:• Rx to PO authorization reduced from 21.3 to 10.3 days (non-VA providers)• Variability in timeliness reduced 57%• Rx to limb delivery reduced 39-50%FLOW3 provides greater data transparency and accuracy with data mining related to:• Prosthetics• Veterans with limb loss• Current VA services and need for new services
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FLOW3 Improves communication, patient engagement, and continuity of care:• More Veterans returning to clinic, excited to receive their prosthetic limbs
Videos
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Dr. Jeffrey Heckman speaks about the collaborative origins of FLOW3 and how it uses three custom-designed features to address issues with artificial limb authorizations.
Implementation
Timeline
-
Month 1
Locate installed tools and familiarize yourself. Participate in training modules appropriate for your role -
Months 2-12
Early adoption of the system. Socialize with staff and communicate with FLOW3 team at FLOW3@va.gov with any questions
Departments
- Administration
- Purchasing and supplies
- Education and training
- Patient services
Core Resources
Files
- FLOW3_Vignette.pdf FLOW3 Vignette
- FLOW3_PEI_Midline_Data_Report_02072020.pdf FLOW3 PEI Midline Report
Risks and mitigations
| Risk | Mitigation | |
|---|---|---|
| Poor adoption may result from ineffective communication amongst team members | Support Practice Champions with a pre-implementation readiness checklist to help identify pitfalls in their planning. | Empower and support Practice Champions with official training materials. |
About
Origin story
Original team
Dr. Jeffrey T. Heckman
Clinical Lead (Gold Status Fellow)
Jeff Bott
Technical Lead (Developer)
Wayne Biggs
Prosthetist (Coding and Template Lead)
Brian Stevenson
Diffusion of Excellence (Project Manager)
Carl McCoy
Diffusion Specialist
Comment
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