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Expert panel evaluation of health information technology effects on adverse events
Author(s) -
Abramson Erika L.,
Kern Lisa M.,
Brenner Samantha,
Hufstader Meghan,
Patel Vaishali,
Kaushal Rainu
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of evaluation in clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.737
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1365-2753
pISSN - 1356-1294
DOI - 10.1111/jep.12139
Subject(s) - medicine , health information technology , adverse effect , pharmacovigilance , delphi method , patient safety , intensive care medicine , medical emergency , health care , pharmacology , statistics , mathematics , economics , economic growth
Abstract Rationale, aims and objectives 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. Methods We conducted a modified D elphi 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 ’. Results From our panel discussion, experts identified six AEs as ‘definitely reduced by health IT ’: (1) adverse drug events ( ADE s) 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 X a inhibitor; (5) contrast nephropathy associated with catheter angiography; and (6) ADE hospital‐acquired antibiotic‐associated C lostridium difficile . Conclusions 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 .