Decreasing drug waste, reducing drug costs, and improving workflow efficiency through the implementation of automated chemotherapy dose rounding rules in the electronic health record system

Author(s):  
Vishal Shah ◽  
Alexis Spence ◽  
Trace Bartels ◽  
Jeffrey Betcher ◽  
Scott Soefje

Abstract Disclaimer In an effort to expedite the publication of articles related to the COVID-19 pandemic, AJHP is posting these manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Purpose To decrease drug waste and cost by implementing automated chemotherapy dose rounding rules in the electronic health record (EHR). Dose rounding of chemotherapy is a recognized method for reducing drug waste, and professional organizations have published guidelines recommending dose rounding when possible. Summary On the basis of current literature and guideline recommendations, Mayo Clinic developed system-wide consensus to allow dose rounding for biologic and chemotherapy agents to the nearest vial size if rounding resulted in the dose being within 10% of the originally calculated dose or to a convenient measurable volume, based on concentration of the drug, if rounding to the nearest vial size resulted in the dose being outside the 10% range. Oncology pharmacists reviewed and analyzed all drugs listed in the EHR used in injectable form for the treatment of cancer and developed dose rounding rules. The rules were implemented and applied at the dose calculation stage before provider signature. From January to June 2019, approximately 40,000 cancer treatment doses were administered. The rounding rules saved a total of 9,814 vials of drug, of which 5,329 were for biologic agents and 4,485 were for oncolytic drugs. This resulted in a total 6-month cost savings of $7,284,796 (in 2019 dollars; biologics, $5,727,402; oncolytics, $1,557,394). Conclusion Systematic implementation of dose rounding rules utilizing the EHR can result in significant reduction of drug waste and realization of savings.

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 345-350
Author(s):  
Olivia G Fahey ◽  
Sara M Koth ◽  
Jason J Bergsbaken ◽  
Heather A Jones ◽  
Philip J Trapskin

Purpose To improve patient safety and reduce drug waste through implementation of automated parenteral chemotherapy dose-banding within an electronic health record. Methods Parenteral chemotherapy dose-rounding practices were transitioned from a manual, pharmacist-driven workflow to an automated process within the electronic health record. Initial medications transitioned included bevacizumab, rituximab, and trastuzumab. Dose-banding tables were built to standardize rounding within a 10% parameter and then subsequently incorporated into the electronic health record after receiving multidisciplinary approval. Following implementation, a retrospective chart review was performed to compare drug and associated cost savings with manual dose-rounding and automated dose-banding. Medication safety improvements were measured by comparing the change in the number of clicks needed for pharmacist verification as well as by evaluation of submissions to our event reporting system. Results After implementing automated parenteral chemotherapy dose-banding, reported medication errors associated with the parenteral chemotherapy rounding process decreased. The number of event submissions related to incorrect rounding decreased from four submissions in the pre-implementation period to zero in the post-implementation period. Automation saved pharmacists at least 9,297 additional clicks and 11,363 additional keystrokes and also led to notable increases in total drug savings as well as drug cost savings. Conclusion Overall safety of our parenteral chemotherapy ordering processes within our electronic health record was improved after the implementation of automated dose-banding. By standardizing the administered doses for three chemotherapy agents, we were also able to increase total drug savings and associated drug cost savings.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weam Alfayez ◽  
Arwa Alumran ◽  
Dr Saja A. Al-Rayes

BACKGROUND Many theories/ models adopted from behavioral sciences literature or developed within the field of information technologies could help in understanding the technology acceptance, usage, and effective adoption. OBJECTIVE The main aim of this paper is to review the different theories/ models that can help in understanding information technology/system acceptance and use, and to choose the most appropriate theoretical framework that could be applied to understand the factors influencing physicians’ use of the Electronic Health Record system (EHR) at King Fahd Military Medical Complex (KFMMC) in Dhahran city, Saudi Arabia. METHODS The theories/ models were reviewed using scientific databases. The inclusion criteria were if the theories/ models used to explain individual behaviors toward accepting and using of information technology including the once conducted within the healthcare. RESULTS The review showed that there were five theories/ models were used within information technology studies to understand the technology acceptance and used. There were Theory of Reasoned Action, Theory of Planned Behaviour, Innovation Diffusion Theory, Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, and Technology Acceptance Model. Each has different explanatory power of technology use. The most appropriate theoretical framework to understand the reason behind physician use of the EHR at KFMMC would be the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). TAM model could explain up to 75% of the variation in the behavioral intention (acceptance), and up to 62% of the variation in the actual use. It is the gold standard for assessing the usage of health technologies and systems. In fact, the TAM model is one of the core models used to explore the physician’s perceptions of the Electronic Health Record system adoption. CONCLUSIONS This review showed that there are different theories available in the literature can be used to justify the reason behind electronic health record acceptance. TAM is one of the effective, simplest models used to understand the factors influencing physicians to use the EHR-system. Further studies need to apply the TAM model to check its ability in explaining the reason behind EHR within different hospitals in Saudi Arabia


2014 ◽  
Vol 05 (02) ◽  
pp. 368-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Cato ◽  
B. Sheehan ◽  
S. Patel ◽  
J. Duchon ◽  
P. DeLaMora ◽  
...  

SummaryObjective: To develop and implement a clinical decision support (CDS) tool to improve antibiotic prescribing in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and to evaluate user acceptance of the CDS tool.Methods: Following sociotechnical analysis of NICU prescribing processes, a CDS tool for empiric and targeted antimicrobial therapy for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) was developed and incorporated into a commercial electronic health record (EHR) in two NICUs. User logs were reviewed and NICU prescribers were surveyed for their perceptions of the CDS tool.Results: The CDS tool aggregated selected laboratory results, including culture results, to make treatment recommendations for common clinical scenarios. From July 2010 to May 2012, 1,303 CDS activations for 452 patients occurred representing 22% of patients prescribed antibiotics during this period. While NICU clinicians viewed two culture results per tool activation, prescribing recommendations were viewed during only 15% of activations. Most (63%) survey respondents were aware of the CDS tool, but fewer (37%) used it during their most recent NICU rotation. Respondents considered the most useful features to be summarized culture results (43%) and antibiotic recommendations (48%).Discussion: During the study period, the CDS tool functionality was hindered by EHR upgrades, implementation of a new laboratory information system, and changes to antimicrobial testing methodologies. Loss of functionality may have reduced viewing antibiotic recommendations. In contrast, viewing culture results was frequently performed, likely because this feature was perceived as useful and functionality was preserved.Conclusion: To improve CDS tool visibility and usefulness, we recommend early user and information technology team involvement which would facilitate use and mitigate implementation challenges.Citation: Hum RS, Cato K, Sheehan B, Patel S, Duchon J, DeLaMora P, Ferng YH, Graham P, Vawdrey DK, Perlman J, Larson E, Saiman L. Developing clinical decision support within a commercial electronic health record system to improve antimicrobial prescribing in the neonatal ICU. Appl Clin Inf 2014; 5: 368–387 http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2013-09-RA-0069


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 125-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace E Kim ◽  
Olga K Afanasiev ◽  
Chris O’Dell ◽  
Christopher Sharp ◽  
Justin M Ko

Introduction Teledermatology services that function separately from patients’ primary electronic health record (EHR) can lead to fragmented care, poor provider communication, privacy concerns and billing challenges. This study addresses these challenges by developing PhotoCareMD, a store-and-forward (SAF) teledermatology consultation workflow built entirely within an existing Epic-based EHR. Methods Thirty-six primary care physicians (PCPs) from eight outpatient clinics submitted 215 electronic consults (eConsults) for 211 patients to a Stanford Health Care dermatologist via PhotoCareMD. Comparisons were made with in-person referrals for this same dermatologist prior to initiation of PhotoCareMD. Results Compared to traditional in-person dermatology clinic visits, eConsults decreased the time to diagnosis and treatment from 23 days to 16 hours. The majority (73%) of eConsults were resolved electronically. In-person referrals from PhotoCareMD (27%) had a 50% lower cancellation rate compared with traditional referrals (11% versus 22%). The average in-person visit and documentation was 25 minutes compared with 8 minutes for an eConsult. PhotoCareMD saved 13 additional clinic hours to be made available to the dermatologist over the course of the pilot. At four patients per hour, this opens 52 dermatology clinic slots. Over 96% of patients had a favourable experience and 95% felt this service saved them time. Among PCPs, 100% would recommend PhotoCareMD to their colleagues and 95% said PhotoCareMD was a helpful educational tool. Discussion An internal SAF teledermatology workflow can be effectively implemented to increase access to and quality of dermatologic care. Our workflow can serve as a successful model for other hospitals and specialties.


2006 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 302-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. T. Rosenbloom ◽  
X. Qi ◽  
W. R. Riddle ◽  
W. E. Russell ◽  
S. C. DonLevy ◽  
...  

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