- All flowsheets in epic are a group of rows with each one given a unique number. This lets a given row get used in different places/flowsheets in Epic without rebuilding or getting the data split up (e.g. we might collect that answer to “cough” in a ton of different flowsheets with different uses but when we right reports on what patients say to the cough question, we want all the answers, not just from a flowsheet about regarding reflux)
- Rows are often organized into a group – also given a unique number. That way a builder can use a group multiple times without re-typing all the rows each time (e.g. a group of the rows for vital signs gets used again and again in lots of places). Your Asthma control plan for adults is a group of rows (each with a number) given the number 9507 as a group.
- Individual rows and groups are combined into a “flowsheet template” which is what people see in epic and think of as a “flowsheet”. They have a number too. Your Asthma Control Plan flow sheet is 580 and contains the single group, 9507.
- The “FLOW” group of smart links pull in groups and/or rows of flowsheet data. Different parameters separated by colons control things like lookback period, limit to certain specialties entered data etc. For example, the last parameter in the FLOW or FLOWTIME smartlinks determines if only filed data or pended data are shown. Set to “1” so only filed data would show do you don’t inadvertently pull in half the answers because you start your template before your MA finishes entering the data.
- SO…you could combine items for other uses if you felt like it like use the TIME to bring in the individual rows (numbers separated by commas) with no time stamps and FLOWTIME to bring the score with the time date stamp. Then save those into your own smartphrase. It’s pretty powerful.
Flow sheet for Asthma Control test
@FLOW[9507:LAST::::1@