Health IT JumpStart: The Best First Step Toward an IT Career in Health Information Technology

Chapter 8

Operational Workflow: Front Office

• Medical practice as a business
• Basic workflow
• Patient impact
• Keys to successful process

Technology is an integral part of the healthcare delivery process in modern medical practices. The front-office staff uses computers and applications to schedule and track patient appointments; the back-office staff uses the Internet to transmit patient billing and receive payment in the form of electronic fund transfers from the payers. Physicians use email to communicate with patients and rely on the Internet for up-to-date information on trends affecting patient care and safety. With the push to adopt electronic health records, the expanded use of technology within and between medical practices will compel ...