Expert panel evaluation of health information technology effects on adverse events. Issue 4 (10th May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abramson, Erika L.; Kern, Lisa M.; Brenner, Samantha; Hufstader, Meghan; Patel, Vaishali; Kaushal, Rainu
• Is Part Of: Journal of evaluation in clinical practice. Volume 20:Issue 4(2014)
• Page Start: 375
• Page End: 382
• Publication Date: 2014-05-10
• Subjects: Clinical medicine -- Periodicals; 616.005
• DOI: 10.1111/jep.12139
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1356-1294

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jep12139-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Rationale, aims and objectives</title> <p>Adverse events (AEs) among hospitalized patients occur frequently and result in significant sequelae. Federal policy is incentivizing health information technology (HIT) use, although research demonstrating safety benefits from HIT is mixed. Our objective was to evaluate the potential effects of HIT on reducing 21 different inpatient AEs. Identifying AEs most likely to be reduced by HIT can inform the design of future studies evaluating its effectiveness.</p> </sec> <sec id="jep12139-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>We conducted a modified Delphi panel of national experts in HIT and safety. We conducted a focused literature review to inform the experts. Using a novel framework, experts rated each AE as 'definitely reduced by health IT, ' 'possibly reduced by health IT' and 'not likely to be reduced by health IT'.</p> </sec> <sec id="jep12139-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>From our panel discussion, experts identified six AEs as 'definitely reduced by health IT': (1) adverse drug events (ADEs) associated with digoxin; (2) ADE associated with IV heparin; (3) ADE associated with hypoglycaemic agents; (4) ADE associated with low molecular weight heparin and factor Xa inhibitor; (5) contrast nephropathy associated with catheter angiography; and (6) ADE hospital‐acquired antibiotic‐associated <italic>C</italic><italic>lostridium difficile</italic>.</p> </sec> <sec id="jep12139-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Understanding the effects of HIT on patient outcomes will be essential to ensuring that the significant federal investment results in anticipated improvements. This study serves as an important early step in helping with the design of future work evaluating level of HIT infrastructure and rates of inpatient AEs.</p> </sec> </abstract>