Clinical decision support with a comprehensive in-EHR patient tracking system improves genetic testing follow up.

2023

04/2023

1527-974X

OBJECTIVE: We sought to develop and evaluate an electronic health record (EHR) genetic testing tracking system to address the barriers and limitations of existing spreadsheet-based workarounds.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the spreadsheet-based system using mixed effects logistic regression to identify factors associated with delayed follow up. These factors informed the design of an EHR-integrated genetic testing tracking system. After deployment, we assessed the system in 2 ways. We analyzed EHR access logs and note data to assess patient outcomes and performed semistructured interviews with users to identify impact of the system on work.

RESULTS: We found that patient-reported race was a significant predictor of documented genetic testing follow up, indicating a possible inequity in care. We implemented a CDS system including a patient data capture form and management dashboard to facilitate important care tasks. The system significantly sped review of results and significantly increased documentation of follow-up recommendations. Interviews with key system users identified a range of sociotechnical factors (ie, tools, tasks, collaboration) that contribute to safer and more efficient care.

DISCUSSION: Our new tracking system ended decades of workarounds for identifying and communicating test results and improved clinical workflows. Interview participants related that the system decreased cognitive and time burden which allowed them to focus on direct patient interaction.

CONCLUSION: By assembling a multidisciplinary team, we designed a novel patient tracking system that improves genetic testing follow up. Similar approaches may be effective in other clinical settings.

10.1093/jamia/ocad070

J Am Med Inform Assoc

37080563

Classification of Health Information Technology Safety Events in a Pediatric Tertiary Care Hospital.

2023

04/2023

1549-8425

OBJECTIVE: State agencies have developed reporting systems of safety events that include events related to health information technology (HIT). These data come from hospital reporting systems where staff submit safety reports and nurses, in the role of safety managers, review, and code events. Safety managers may have varying degrees of experience with identifying events related to HIT. Our objective was to review events potentially involving HIT and compare those with what was reported to the state.

METHODS: We performed a structured review of 1 year of safety events from an academic pediatric healthcare system. We reviewed the free-text description of each event and applied a classification scheme derived from the AHRQ Health IT Hazard Manager and compared the results with events reported to the state as involving HIT.

RESULTS: Of 33,218 safety events for a 1-year period, 1247 included key words related to HIT and/or were indicated by safety managers as involving HIT. Of the 1247 events, the structured review identified 769 as involving HIT. In comparison, safety managers only identified 194 of the 769 events (25%) as involving HIT. Most events, 353 (46%), not identified by safety managers were documentation issues. Of the 1247 events, the structured review identified 478 as not involving HIT while safety managers identified and reported 81 of these 478 events (17%) as involving HIT.

CONCLUSIONS: The current process of reporting safety events lacks standardization in identifying health technology contributions to safety events, which may minimize the effectiveness of safety initiatives.

10.1097/PTS.0000000000001119

J Patient Saf

37094555

Clinical decision support with a comprehensive in-EHR patient tracking system improves genetic testing follow up.

2023

04/2023

1527-974X

OBJECTIVE: We sought to develop and evaluate an electronic health record (EHR) genetic testing tracking system to address the barriers and limitations of existing spreadsheet-based workarounds.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the spreadsheet-based system using mixed effects logistic regression to identify factors associated with delayed follow up. These factors informed the design of an EHR-integrated genetic testing tracking system. After deployment, we assessed the system in 2 ways. We analyzed EHR access logs and note data to assess patient outcomes and performed semistructured interviews with users to identify impact of the system on work.

RESULTS: We found that patient-reported race was a significant predictor of documented genetic testing follow up, indicating a possible inequity in care. We implemented a CDS system including a patient data capture form and management dashboard to facilitate important care tasks. The system significantly sped review of results and significantly increased documentation of follow-up recommendations. Interviews with key system users identified a range of sociotechnical factors (ie, tools, tasks, collaboration) that contribute to safer and more efficient care.

DISCUSSION: Our new tracking system ended decades of workarounds for identifying and communicating test results and improved clinical workflows. Interview participants related that the system decreased cognitive and time burden which allowed them to focus on direct patient interaction.

CONCLUSION: By assembling a multidisciplinary team, we designed a novel patient tracking system that improves genetic testing follow up. Similar approaches may be effective in other clinical settings.

10.1093/jamia/ocad070

J Am Med Inform Assoc

37080563

Returning integrated genomic risk and clinical recommendations: The eMERGE study.

2023

100006

04/2023

1530-0366

PURPOSE: Assessing the risk of common, complex diseases requires consideration of clinical risk factors as well as monogenic and polygenic risks, which in turn may be reflected in family history. Returning risks to individuals and providers may influence preventive care or use of prophylactic therapies for those individuals at high genetic risk.

METHODS: To enable integrated genetic risk assessment, the eMERGE (electronic MEdical Records and GEnomics) network is enrolling 25,000 diverse individuals in a prospective cohort study across 10 sites. The network developed methods to return cross-ancestry polygenic risk scores, monogenic risks, family history, and clinical risk assessments via a genome-informed risk assessment (GIRA) report and will assess uptake of care recommendations after return of results.

RESULTS: GIRAs include summary care recommendations for 11 conditions, education pages, and clinical laboratory reports. The return of high-risk GIRA to individuals and providers includes guidelines for care and lifestyle recommendations. Assembling the GIRA required infrastructure and workflows for ingesting and presenting content from multiple sources. Recruitment began in February 2022.

CONCLUSION: Return of a novel report for communicating monogenic, polygenic, and family history-based risk factors will inform the benefits of integrated genetic risk assessment for routine health care.

10.1016/j.gim.2023.100006

Genet Med

36621880

A Clinical Decision Support System for Motivational Messaging and Tobacco Cessation Treatment for Parents: Pilot Evaluation of Use and Acceptance.

2023

03/2023

1869-0327

BACKGROUND: Research is needed to identify how clinical decision support (CDS) systems can support communication about and engagement with tobacco use treatment in pediatric settings for parents who smoke. We developed a CDS system that identifies parents who smoke, delivers motivational messages to start treatment, connects parents to treatment, and supports pediatrician-parent discussion.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the performance of this system in clinical practice, including receipt of motivational messages and tobacco use treatment acceptance rates.

METHODS: The system was evaluated at one large pediatric practice through a single-arm pilot study from June-November 2021. We collected data on the performance of the CDS system for all parents. Additionally, we surveyed a sample of parents immediately after the clinical encounter who used the system and reported smoking. Measures were: 1) the parent remembered the motivational message, 2) the pediatrician reinforced the message, and 3) treatment acceptance rates. Treatments included nicotine replacement therapy, quitline referral (phone counseling), and/or SmokefreeTXT referral (text-message counseling). We described survey response rates overall and with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS: During the entire study period, 8488 parents completed use of the CDS: 9.3% (n=786) reported smoking, and 48.2% (n=379) accepted at least one treatment. One hundred and two parents who smoke who used the system were approached to survey 100 parents (98% response rate). Most parents self-identified as female (84%), aged 25-34 years (56%), and Black/African American (94%), and had children with Medicaid insurance (95%). Of parents surveyed, 54% accepted at least one treatment option. Most parents recalled the motivational message (79%; 95% CI: 71-87%), and 31% (95% CI: 19-44%) reported the pediatrician reinforced the motivational message.

CONCLUSION: A CDS system to support parental tobacco use treatment in pediatric primary care enhanced motivational messaging about smoking cessation and evidence-based treatment initiation.

10.1055/a-2062-9627

Appl Clin Inform

36972687

A Clinical Decision Support System for Motivational Messaging and Tobacco Cessation Treatment for Parents: Pilot Evaluation of Use and Acceptance.

2023

03/2023

1869-0327

BACKGROUND: Research is needed to identify how clinical decision support (CDS) systems can support communication about and engagement with tobacco use treatment in pediatric settings for parents who smoke. We developed a CDS system that identifies parents who smoke, delivers motivational messages to start treatment, connects parents to treatment, and supports pediatrician-parent discussion.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the performance of this system in clinical practice, including receipt of motivational messages and tobacco use treatment acceptance rates.

METHODS: The system was evaluated at one large pediatric practice through a single-arm pilot study from June-November 2021. We collected data on the performance of the CDS system for all parents. Additionally, we surveyed a sample of parents immediately after the clinical encounter who used the system and reported smoking. Measures were: 1) the parent remembered the motivational message, 2) the pediatrician reinforced the message, and 3) treatment acceptance rates. Treatments included nicotine replacement therapy, quitline referral (phone counseling), and/or SmokefreeTXT referral (text-message counseling). We described survey response rates overall and with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS: During the entire study period, 8488 parents completed use of the CDS: 9.3% (n=786) reported smoking, and 48.2% (n=379) accepted at least one treatment. One hundred and two parents who smoke who used the system were approached to survey 100 parents (98% response rate). Most parents self-identified as female (84%), aged 25-34 years (56%), and Black/African American (94%), and had children with Medicaid insurance (95%). Of parents surveyed, 54% accepted at least one treatment option. Most parents recalled the motivational message (79%; 95% CI: 71-87%), and 31% (95% CI: 19-44%) reported the pediatrician reinforced the motivational message.

CONCLUSION: A CDS system to support parental tobacco use treatment in pediatric primary care enhanced motivational messaging about smoking cessation and evidence-based treatment initiation.

10.1055/a-2062-9627

Appl Clin Inform

36972687

Provider perspectives on clinical decision support to improve HIV prevention in pediatric primary care: a multiple methods study.

2023

18

02/2023

2662-2211

BACKGROUND: Clinical decision support (CDS) is a promising intervention for improving uptake of HIV testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). However, little is known regarding provider perspectives on acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of CDS for HIV prevention in pediatric primary care, a key implementation setting.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional multiple methods study utilizing surveys and in-depth interviews with pediatricians to assess acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of CDS for HIV prevention, as well as to identify contextual barriers and facilitators to CDS. Qualitative analysis utilized work domain analysis and a deductive coding approach grounded in the Consolidated Framework of Implementation Research. Quantitative and qualitative data were merged to develop an Implementation Research Logic Model to conceptualize implementation determinants, strategies, mechanisms, and outcomes of potential CDS use.

RESULTS: Participants (n = 26) were primarily white (92%), female (88%), and physicians (73%). Using CDS to improve HIV testing and PrEP delivery was perceived as highly acceptable (median score 5), IQR [4-5]), appropriate (5, IQR [4-5]), and feasible (4, IQR [3.75-4.75]) using a 5-point Likert scale. Providers identified confidentiality and time constraints as two key barriers to HIV prevention care spanning every workflow step. With respect to desired CDS features, providers sought interventions that were integrated into the primary care workflow, standardized to promote universal testing yet adaptable to the level of a patient's HIV risk, and addressed providers' knowledge gaps and bolstered self-efficacy in providing HIV prevention services.

CONCLUSIONS: This multiple methods study indicates that clinical decision support in the pediatric primary care setting may be an acceptable, feasible, and appropriate intervention for improving the reach and equitable delivery of HIV screening and PrEP services. Design considerations for CDS in this setting should include deploying CDS interventions early in the visit workflow and prioritizing standardized but flexible designs.

10.1186/s43058-023-00394-7

Implement Sci Commun

36810099

Evaluation of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Decision Support for Pediatric Infections.

2023

108-118

01/2023

1869-0327

OBJECTIVES:  Clinical decision support (CDS) has promise for the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) in the emergency department (ED). We sought to assess the usability of a newly developed automated CDS to improve guideline-adherent antibiotic prescribing for pediatric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and urinary tract infection (UTI).

METHODS:  We conducted comparative usability testing between an automated, prototype CDS-enhanced discharge order set and standard order set, for pediatric CAP and UTI antibiotic prescribing. After an extensive user-centered design process, the prototype CDS was integrated into the electronic health record, used passive activation, and embedded locally adapted prescribing guidelines. Participants were randomized to interact with three simulated ED scenarios of children with CAP or UTI, across both systems. Measures included task completion, decision-making and usability errors, clinical actions (order set use and correct antibiotic selection), as well as objective measures of system usability, utility, and workload using the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). The prototype CDS was iteratively refined to optimize usability and workflow.

RESULTS:  Usability testing in 21 ED clinical providers demonstrated that, compared to the standard order sets, providers preferred the prototype CDS, with improvements in domains such as explanations of suggested antibiotic choices ( < 0.001) and provision of additional resources on antibiotic prescription ( < 0.001). Simulated use of the CDS also led to overall improved guideline-adherent prescribing, with a 31% improvement for CAP. A trend was present toward absolute workload reduction. Using the NASA-TLX, workload scores for the current system were median 26, interquartile ranges (IQR): 11 to 41 versus median 25, and IQR: 10.5 to 39.5 for the CDS system ( = 0.117).

CONCLUSION:  Our CDS-enhanced discharge order set for ED antibiotic prescribing was strongly preferred by users, improved the accuracy of antibiotic prescribing, and trended toward reduced provider workload. The CDS was optimized for impact on guideline-adherent antibiotic prescribing from the ED and end-user acceptability to support future evaluative trials of ED ASPs.

10.1055/s-0042-1760082

Appl Clin Inform

36754066

Clinical Decision Support in the PICU: Implications for Design and Evaluation.

2022

2022 Apr 29

1529-7535

<p><strong>OBJECTIVES: </strong>To assess the current landscape of clinical decision support (CDS) tools in PICUs in order to identify priority areas of focus in this field.</p>

<p><strong>DESIGN: </strong>International, quantitative, cross-sectional survey.</p>

<p><strong>SETTING: </strong>Role-specific, web-based survey administered in November and December 2020.</p>

<p><strong>SUBJECTS: </strong>Medical directors, bedside nurses, attending physicians, and residents/advanced practice providers at Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and Sepsis Network-affiliated PICUs.</p>

<p><strong>INTERVENTIONS: </strong>None.</p>

<p><strong>MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: </strong>The survey was completed by 109 respondents from 45 institutions, primarily attending physicians from university-affiliated PICUs in the United States. The most commonly used CDS tools were people-based resources (93% used always or most of the time) and laboratory result highlighting (86%), with order sets, order-based alerts, and other electronic CDS tools also used frequently. The most important goal providers endorsed for CDS tools were a proven impact on patient safety and an evidence base for their use. Negative perceptions of CDS included concerns about diminished critical thinking and the burden of intrusive processes on providers. Routine assessment of existing CDS was rare, with infrequent reported use of observation to assess CDS impact on workflows or measures of individual alert burden.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>Although providers share some consensus over CDS utility, we identified specific priority areas of research focus. Consensus across practitioners exists around the importance of evidence-based CDS tools having a proven impact on patient safety. Despite broad presence of CDS tools in PICUs, practitioners continue to view them as intrusive and with concern for diminished critical thinking. Deimplementing ineffective CDS may mitigate this burden, though postimplementation evaluation of CDS is rare.</p>

10.1097/PCC.0000000000002973

Pediatr Crit Care Med

35481951

Human-centered development of an electronic health record-embedded, interactive information visualization in the emergency department using fast healthcare interoperability resources.

2021

2021 Mar 03

1527-974X

<p><strong>OBJECTIVE: </strong>Develop and evaluate an interactive information visualization embedded within the electronic health record (EHR) by following human-centered design (HCD) processes and leveraging modern health information exchange standards.</p>

<p><strong>MATERIALS AND METHODS: </strong>We applied an HCD process to develop a Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) application that displays a patient's asthma history to clinicians in a pediatric emergency department. We performed a preimplementation comparative system evaluation to measure time on task, number of screens, information retrieval accuracy, cognitive load, user satisfaction, and perceived utility and usefulness. Application usage and system functionality were assessed using application logs and a postimplementation survey of end users.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Usability testing of the Asthma Timeline Application demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in time on task (P &lt; .001), number of screens (P &lt; .001), and cognitive load (P &lt; .001) for clinicians when compared to base EHR functionality. Postimplementation evaluation demonstrated reliable functionality and high user satisfaction.</p>

<p><strong>DISCUSSION: </strong>Following HCD processes to develop an application in the context of clinical operations/quality improvement is feasible. Our work also highlights the potential benefits and challenges associated with using internationally recognized data exchange standards as currently implemented.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>Compared to standard EHR functionality, our visualization increased clinician efficiency when reviewing the charts of pediatric asthma patients. Application development efforts in an operational context should leverage existing health information exchange standards, such as FHIR, and evidence-based mixed methods approaches.</p>

10.1093/jamia/ocab016

J Am Med Inform Assoc

33682004