Characterizing workflow for pediatric asthma patients in emergency departments using electronic health records.

•We proposed a workflow approach consisting of visualization and Markov models.•Both are complimentary and provide a low cost, scalable way to analyze workflow.•The approach identifies workflow patterns & variability and links them to outcomes.•We found the approach viable and beneficial in pediatric ED settings.•We developed a 7-step guideline to apply the approach in other settings.