A study published in Gastroenterology found using electronic health records improved documentation adherence and performance measures in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
The researchers randomly selected 50 patient charts from consecutive outpatient IBD visits from Sept. 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. After EHR adoption, another 50 outpatient IBD charts were randomly selected from Sept. 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. The charts were reviewed to assess documentation adherence with the Physician Quality Reporting System for IBD care, including documentation of influenza and pneumonia vaccination, tobacco screening and cessation, evaluation of latent tuberculosis, hepatitis B status and bone loss risk assessment.
Here are six key takeaways:
1. Documentation of administration, refusal or prior receipt of both the influenza and pneumonia vaccines improved after the addition IBD-specific EHRs, from 19.4 percent before EHRs to 59.5 percent after.
2. Tobacco cessation intervention documentation also increased from 28.6 percent to 77.8 percent after EHR adoption.
3. For latent tuberculosis, documentation was 100 percent after implementing EHRs, up from 66.7 percent before.
4. Documentation of hepatitis B and screening tobacco use remained at 100 percent after EHRs were introduced.
5. Documentation rates of patients at risk for bone loss related to steroid use was 12.5 percent, up from zero percent pre-EHRs.
6. The researchers concluded the availability of customizable EHR improves documentation compliance of PQRS measures for outpatient IBD care.
Click here to read to full study.