A Place for A Place for Everything Everything

and and Everything in it’s Everything in it’s

PlacePlace

Cynthia AlcarazCynthia AlcarazPhoto InventoryPhoto Inventory

Anthropology 102Anthropology 102Dr. Leanna WolfeDr. Leanna WolfeOctober 15, 2010October 15, 2010

The workday of the The workday of the Medical Assistant Medical Assistant working in a pain center working in a pain center begins here. First thing begins here. First thing every member of staff every member of staff does when he or she does when he or she arrives at work is clock arrives at work is clock in using this clock in using this clock machine. The machine. The contraption stamps the contraption stamps the date and time on a time date and time on a time card. The employees do card. The employees do this to ensure they get this to ensure they get paid at the end of the paid at the end of the week and the employer week and the employer can check for timeliness can check for timeliness and accuracy. and accuracy.

This particular work station This particular work station is used for scheduling at is used for scheduling at multiple surgical sites. The multiple surgical sites. The folders on the top shelf is folders on the top shelf is where all the prepared where all the prepared paper work is filed and paper work is filed and ready to go. All the folders ready to go. All the folders are labeled with the name of are labeled with the name of the appropriate surgery the appropriate surgery center. In the lower shelf's center. In the lower shelf's that are divided into four that are divided into four slots, is where the pending slots, is where the pending paper work is place. These paper work is place. These sheets of paper are not yet sheets of paper are not yet ready, as they do not contain ready, as they do not contain all the information needed all the information needed by the surgery center.by the surgery center.

The paper that needs to The paper that needs to be attached to the be attached to the single sheet can be single sheet can be found in these drawers. found in these drawers. The papers containing The papers containing each individual centers each individual centers information is kept in information is kept in the bottom drawer. the bottom drawer. There are four different There are four different forms containing at forms containing at least three sheets of least three sheets of additional paper. All additional paper. All these packets are these packets are separated by placing separated by placing them in hanging files.them in hanging files.

After the paper work Is After the paper work Is completed, the patients completed, the patients demographics are demographics are printed from this printed from this computer and attached computer and attached to the packet. Also since to the packet. Also since patient visits are patient visits are documented into an documented into an electronic EMR all the electronic EMR all the information regarding information regarding any questions can be any questions can be found through this found through this computer. The computer computer. The computer is composed of the is composed of the rotational monitor, rotational monitor, raised keyboard and raised keyboard and laser mouse.laser mouse.

Next to the computer is Next to the computer is a phone. In this facility a phone. In this facility there are about 24 there are about 24 phones. Any call can be phones. Any call can be answered from any of answered from any of the phone and then the phone and then transferred to the transferred to the adequate extension. adequate extension. This phone receives This phone receives mainly phone calls mainly phone calls concerning surgery concerning surgery scheduling. Many of the scheduling. Many of the surgical facilities call to surgical facilities call to ask questions about ask questions about patients insurance, patients insurance, authorizations and authorizations and confirm schedules. confirm schedules.

All of the completed packets All of the completed packets must be scanned and sorted must be scanned and sorted into the correct electronic into the correct electronic chart. This scanner is chart. This scanner is connected to the computer connected to the computer next to it and can scan many next to it and can scan many sheets of paper at a time. sheets of paper at a time. The scanner can also scan The scanner can also scan both sides of paper, making both sides of paper, making it easier to scan a document it easier to scan a document that has information on the that has information on the front side and the back side. front side and the back side. In addition to scanning the In addition to scanning the surgery centers packets, it is surgery centers packets, it is also used to scan every piece also used to scan every piece of paper that needs to be of paper that needs to be filed into the electronic filed into the electronic chart.chart.

This set of cubbies are used for sorting other pending papers.This set of cubbies are used for sorting other pending papers.

The first one holds all of the papers that need to be scanned, for this day the scanning has The first one holds all of the papers that need to be scanned, for this day the scanning has been completed and the cubby remains empty. been completed and the cubby remains empty.

In this next one, all of the authorization that have not been entered or submitted are placed.In this next one, all of the authorization that have not been entered or submitted are placed.

This cubby contains all faxes that either need to be faxed, or are waiting to be recorded into This cubby contains all faxes that either need to be faxed, or are waiting to be recorded into the system.the system.

In this last cubby new patients and requests for medical records are kept. These are all of In this last cubby new patients and requests for medical records are kept. These are all of the medical record requests that have been submitted but not reviewed or processed. There the medical record requests that have been submitted but not reviewed or processed. There are also new patient packets that are sent via fax from other facilities and are waiting to be are also new patient packets that are sent via fax from other facilities and are waiting to be called for an appointment.called for an appointment.

Lastly, these spaces Lastly, these spaces are filled with are filled with pamphlets for the pamphlets for the patients. The patients. The pamphlets are pamphlets are spaced apart by spaced apart by small blue papers small blue papers that say the name of that say the name of the procedure. These the procedure. These provide the patients provide the patients with educational with educational material pertaining material pertaining to their procedure.to their procedure.

After detailed observation, one would come to the After detailed observation, one would come to the conclusion that, all of the electronic devices in the conclusion that, all of the electronic devices in the workspace are ergonomically placed. The computer is workspace are ergonomically placed. The computer is conveniently located in front of the chair, the telephone conveniently located in front of the chair, the telephone on the left and scanner on the right. The paperwork on the left and scanner on the right. The paperwork and educational literature that the surgery scheduler and educational literature that the surgery scheduler need is within arms reach and all objects are given a need is within arms reach and all objects are given a place. This set up provides the worker with fast and place. This set up provides the worker with fast and easy accesses to all necessary materials, ultimately to easy accesses to all necessary materials, ultimately to achieve maximum efficiency in the workspace. achieve maximum efficiency in the workspace.