Harnessing the electronic health care record to optimise patient safety in primary care: a framework for evaluating “electronic safety netting” tools (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgia Black ◽  
Afsana Bhuiya ◽  
Claire Friedemann-Smith ◽  
Yasmin Hirst ◽  
Brian D Nicholson
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Improve Patient Safety ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Diagnostic Uncertainty ◽  
Software Products ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Electronic Health ◽  
Safety Netting

UNSTRUCTURED The management of diagnostic uncertainty is part of every primary care physician’s role. Electronic safety netting (e-safety-netting) tools are designed to assist healthcare professionals in managing diagnostic uncertainty either within or separate to the electronic healthcare record. Using software in addition to verbal and/or paper based safety-netting methods could make the process more rigorous, robust, traceable and auditable. There is no consistent definition or approach to e-safety-netting despite an increasing number of software products identifying as such and being offered to clinical teams, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. E-safety-netting tools have developed to perform a variety of functions including clinician alerts, administrative tasking, decision support and triggering reminder text messages to patients. However, these tools have not been evaluated using robust research designs for patient safety interventions. We present a framework of criteria for effective e-safety netting tools, to improve patient safety through more targeted development of software. The framework is based on similar criteria from electronic health record development and principles of patient safety. There are currently no tools available that meet all of the criteria in the framework. When new tools have been developed and validated through robust research, the framework will enable national and local audit and analysis, highlighting differences in performance and presenting potential solutions for improvement. We outline key areas for future research, both in primary care and within integrated care systems. E-safety-netting tools that align with the individual, social and technical aspects of primary care working are more likely to succeed.

scholarly journals Electronic Health Records and Patient Safety

2015 ◽  
Vol 06 (01) ◽  
pp. 136-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Gans ◽  
J. White ◽  
R. Nath ◽  
J. Pohl ◽  
C. Tanner
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Electronic Health Records ◽  
Medication Management ◽  
Health Records ◽  
Safety Practices ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
Electronic Health ◽  
Primary Care Practices ◽  
Promote Patient Safety

Summary Background: The role of electronic health records (EHR) in enhancing patient safety, while substantiated in many studies, is still debated. Objective: This paper examines early EHR adopters in primary care to understand the extent to which EHR implementation is associated with the workflows, policies and practices that promote patient safety, as compared to practices with paper records. Early adoption is defined as those who were using EHR prior to implementation of the Meaningful Use program. Methods: We utilized the Physician Practice Patient Safety Assessment (PPPSA) to compare primary care practices with fully implemented EHR to those utilizing paper records. The PPPSA measures the extent of adoption of patient safety practices in the domains: medication management, handoffs and transition, personnel qualifications and competencies, practice management and culture, and patient communication. Results: Data from 209 primary care practices responding between 2006–2010 were included in the analysis: 117 practices used paper medical records and 92 used an EHR. Results showed that, within all domains, EHR settings showed significantly higher rates of having workflows, policies and practices that promote patient safety than paper record settings. While these results were expected in the area of medication management, EHR use was also associated with adoption of patient safety practices in areas in which the researchers had no a priori expectations of association. Conclusions: Sociotechnical models of EHR use point to complex interactions between technology and other aspects of the environment related to human resources, workflow, policy, culture, among others. This study identifies that among primary care practices in the national PPPSA database, having an EHR was strongly empirically associated with the workflow, policy, communication and cultural practices recommended for safe patient care in ambulatory settings. Citation: Tanner C, Gans D, White J, Nath R, Pohl J. Electronic health records and patient safety – co-occurrence of early EHR implementation with patient safety practices in primary care settings. Appl Clin Inf 2015; 6: 136–147http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2014-11-RA-0099

scholarly journals Assessing the acceptability of a text messaging service and smartphone app to support patient adherence to medications prescribed for high blood pressure: a pilot study.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aikaterini Kassavou ◽  
Charlotte A Court ◽  
Jagmohan Chauhan ◽  
James Brimicombe ◽  
Debbi Bhattacharya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Delivery Mode ◽  
Log Files ◽  
Intervention Content

Abstract Aims and objectives. This paper describes a pilot non-randomised controlled study of a highly tailored 56-days text message and smartphone app prototype intervention to increase adherence to anti-hypertensive medication in primary care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptability of the intervention and obtain patients views about the intervention content, delivery mode, and the mechanisms by which the intervention supported medication adherence. Methods. Patients diagnosed with hypertension were invited to the study via general practice text messages and were recruited face to face by the researcher team. Participants were asked to test the text message intervention for 28 consecutive days and switch to the smartphone app for 28 more days. Participants completed baseline and follow up questionnaires and took part in semi-structured telephone interviews. Digital log files captured patients’ usage of the intervention. Participant transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data from questionnaires and log files. A mixed methods analysis generated data to respond to the research questions. Results. 79 patients expressed interest to participate in this study, of whom 23 (64% male, 82% above 60 years old) were recruited to take part. With one drop-out, 22 participants tested the text message delivery mode (with 20 being interviewed) and four of them (17%) switched to the app (with 3 being interviewed). All participants engaged and interacted with the text message and app notifications, and most participants found the intervention content and delivery mode acceptable. They also self-reported that the interactive elements of the intervention motivated them to take their medications as prescribed. Conclusion. This study provides evidence that the digital intervention is acceptable by hypertensive patients recruited in primary care. Future research could usefully investigate its feasibility and effectiveness using rigorous research methods.

scholarly journals Structural equation modeling for identification of patient safety antecedents in primary care

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Kosiek ◽  
Iwona Staniec ◽  
Maciej Godycki-Cwirko ◽  
Adam Depta ◽  
Anna Kowalczyk
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Improve Patient Safety ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Safety Interventions ◽  
Improve Patient

Abstract Background:. Patient safety is defined as an activity that minimizes and removes possible errors and injuries to patients. A number of factors have been found to influence patient safety management, including the facilities available in the practice, communication and collaboration, education regarding patient safety and generic conditions. This study tested a theoretical model of patient safety interventions based on safety antecedents. Methods: Medical professionals were surveyed using a questionnaire developed by Gaal et al. The results were analyzed with SPSS 20 and AMOS. A hypothetical model of direct and indirect effects on patient safety in a primary care environment was created and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results: SEM proved to be an effective tool to analyse safety in primary care. The facilities in the practice appear to have no significant influence on patient safety management in the case of female respondents, those below mean age, those who are not GPs (general practitioner) and respondents not working in counselling centres.Conclusions: The integrated safety model described in the study can improve patient safety management.

scholarly journals Adverse events analysis as an educational tool to improve patient safety culture in primary care: A randomized trial

2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara González-Formoso ◽  
María Victoria Martín-Miguel ◽  
Ma José Fernández-Domínguez ◽  
Antonio Rial ◽  
Fernando Isidro Lago-Deibe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Randomized Trial ◽  
Safety Culture ◽  
Improve Patient Safety ◽  
Patient Safety Culture ◽  
Educational Tool ◽  
Improve Patient

scholarly journals Patient Safety Culture Assessment in Primary Care Settings in Greece

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 880
Author(s):  
Ioannis Antonakos ◽  
Kyriakos Souliotis ◽  
Theodora Psaltopoulou ◽  
Yannis Tountas ◽  
Maria Kantzanou
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Safety Culture ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Improve Patient Safety ◽  
Patient Safety Culture ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Survey Tool ◽  
Primary Care Settings

Introduction: A positive safety culture is considered a pillar of safety in health organizations and the first crucial step for quality health services. In this context, the aim of this study was to set a reference evaluation for the patient safety culture in the primary health sector in Greece, based on health professionals’ perceptions. Methods: We used a cross-sectional survey with a 62% response rate (n = 459), conducted in primary care settings in Greece (February to May 2020). We utilized the “Medical Office Survey on Patient Safety Culture” survey tool from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The study participants were health professionals who interacted with patients from 12 primary care settings in Greece. Results: The most highly ranked domains were: “Teamwork” (82%), “Patient Care Tracking/Follow-up” (80% of positive scores), and “Organizational Learning” (80%); meanwhile, the lowest-ranked ones were: “Leadership Support for Patient Safety” (62%) and “Work Pressure and Pace” (46%). The other domains, such as “Overall Perceptions of Patient Safety and Quality” (77%), “Staff Training“ (70%), “Communication about Error” (70%), “Office Processes and Standardization” (67%), and “Communication Openness” (64%), ranked somewhere in between. Conclusions: A positive safety culture was identified in primary care settings in Greece, although weak areas concerning the safety culture should be addressed in order to improve patient safety.

Public Trust and Privacy in Shared Electronic Health Records

2007 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Rynning
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Electronic Health Records ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Improve Patient Safety ◽  
Patient Empowerment ◽  
Public Trust ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Health Records ◽  
Electronic Health

AbstractThe development of information and communication technology in health care, also called eHealth, is expected to improve patient safety and facilitate more efficient use of limited resources. The introduction of electronic health records (EHRs) can make possible immediate, even automatic transfer of patient data, for health care as well as other purposes, across any kind of institutional, regional or national border. Data can thus be shared and used more effectively for quality assurance, disease surveillance, public health monitoring and research. eHealth may also facilitate patient access to health information and medical treatment, and is seen as an effective tool for patient empowerment. At the same time, eHealth solutions may jeopardize both patient safety and patients' rights, unless carefully designed and used with discretion. The success of EHR systems will depend on public trust in their compatibility with fundamental rights, such as privacy and confidentiality. Shared European EHR systems require interoperability not only with regard to technological and semantic standards, but also concerning legal, social and cultural aspects. Since the area of privacy and medical confidentiality is far from harmonized across Europe, we are faced with a diversity that will make fully shared EHR systems a considerable challenge.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of New Tools to Define an Up-to-Date Patient Safety Risk Map: A Primary Care Study Protocol

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8612
Author(s):  
Montserrat Gens-Barberà ◽  
Cristina Rey-Reñones ◽  
Núria Hernández-Vidal ◽  
Elisa Vidal-Esteve ◽  
Yolanda Mengíbar-García ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Improve Patient Safety ◽  
Primary Care Patient ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Care Patient ◽  
Risk Map ◽  
Improvement Strategy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Safety Risk

Background: Reducing incidents related to health care interventions to improve patient safety is a health policy priority. To strengthen a culture of safety, reporting incidents is essential. This study aims to define a patient safety risk map using the description and analysis of incidents within a primary care region with a prior patient safety improvement strategy organisationally developed and promoted. Methods: The study will be conducted in two phases: (1) a cross-sectional descriptive observational study to describe reported incidents; and (2) a quasi-experimental study to compare reported incidents. The study will take place in the Camp de Tarragona Primary Care Management (Catalan Institute of Health). In Phase 1, all reactive notifications collected within one year (2018) will be analysed; during Phase 2, all proactive notifications of the second and third weeks of June 2019 will be analysed. Adverse events will also be assessed. Phases 1 and 2 will use a digital platform and the proactive tool proSP to notify and analyse incidents related to patient safety. Expected Results: To obtain an up-to-date, primary care patient safety risk map to prioritise strategies that result in safer practices.

scholarly journals Structural equation modeling for identification of patient safety antecedents in primary care

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Kosiek ◽  
Iwona Staniec ◽  
Maciej Godycki-Cwirko ◽  
Adam Depta ◽  
Anna Kowalczyk
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Improve Patient Safety ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Safety Interventions ◽  
Improve Patient

Abstract Background Patient safety is defined as an activity that minimizes and removes possible errors and injuries to patients. A number of factors have been found to influence patient safety management, including the facilities available in the practice, communication and collaboration, education regarding patient safety and generic conditions. This study tested a theoretical model of patient safety interventions based on safety antecedents. Methods Medical professionals were surveyed using a questionnaire developed by Gaal et al. The results were analyzed with SPSS 20 and AMOS. A hypothetical model of direct and indirect effects on patient safety in a primary care environment was created and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results SEM proved to be an effective tool to analyse safety in primary care. The facilities in the practice appear to have no significant influence on patient safety management in the case of female respondents, those below mean age, those who are not GPs (general practitioner) and respondents not working in counselling centres. Conclusions The integrated safety model described in the study can improve patient safety management.

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