Reining in the QTc: reducing the risk of Torsades de Pointes across a major health system. (28th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cheung, Dora; Cumbler,, Ethan; Hale,, Gary; Pell, Jonathan
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. Volume 25:Number 9(2018)
• Page Start: 1202
• Page End: 1205
• Publication Date: 2018-06-28
• Subjects: QTc -- QT prolonging medications -- Torsades de Pointes -- electronic alerts -- electrocardiogram; Medical informatics -- Periodicals; Information Services -- Periodicals; Medical Informatics -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Informatique -- Périodiques; Informatica; Geneeskunde; Informatique médicale; Computer network resources; Electronic journals; 610.285
• DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocy081
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1067-5027

Abstract

Abstract: Hospitalized patients have a high prevalence of prolonged QTc and are a high-risk population for Torsades de Pointes (TdP). One modifiable risk factor for TdP is the use of QT prolonging drugs. Electronically alerting providers who are ordering QT prolonging drugs in at-risk patients may help to achieve safer prescribing practices. Our previous study decreased inappropriate prescription of IV haloperidol by 36% using a targeted "smart" electronic alert. We wanted to assess an approach to expanding this type of electronic alert to commonly used QT prolonging medications and evaluate how this would affect prescribing practice. This retrospective cohort study evaluated the impact of these alerts for 12 frequently prescribed high-risk medications across a major health system. Between October 2016 and June 2017, a total of 6453 alerts fired and resulted in 3020 (46.8%) orders being cancelled by the provider. Our focused electronic alert significantly decreased prescribing of QT prolonging medications in high-risk patients.