By implementing the latest technologies to reduce transcription costs, systematize evidence-based guidelines for blood product utilization and prevent outdated test ordering, the system has realized measurable improvements in patient outcomes, contributing to Advocate's reputation as a leader in providing the highest quality of care across the continuum of clinical need.
"Advocate Health Care is committed to delivering the safest and most effective care regardless of setting," said Dr. Bobbie Byrne, chief information officer. "To achieve that mission, we must embrace the most up-to-date technologies to help our health care team members perform their work in both routine and unique circumstances. We are honored to be recognized by HIMSS for our work in using technology to make Advocate a better place for our providers and, most importantly, our patients."
Introducing voice-to-text technology at Advocate
Recognizing that doctors' time is better spent taking care of patients than typing on a keyboard, Advocate leveraged advancements in voice-to-text technology to identify an electronic health record (EHR) solution that allows clinical users to document their findings in the medical record without relying on keyboard entry or telephone transcription. The technology permits physicians to speak at length about different diagnostic or treatment options for a specific patient with the information recorded in the EHR within seconds instead of hours. The clinical users embraced the new process and decreased transcription costs 50 percent in the first year and further decreases in subsequent years.
Additional Advocate information technology initiatives include developing workflows within the EHR that direct clinical users to reduce overuse and improve the patient experience.
Monitoring blood product orders
In 2011, Advocate identified a high level of variability among patients who received blood products. Clinical leaders were challenged to develop guidelines to direct blood product use with real-time EHR decision support. Clinical users were presented with the system guidelines and the patient's specific test results before blood products could be ordered. No user was stopped from ordering blood, but they had to enter a reason why they were ordering blood outside the guidelines. The blood product leadership team circulated utilization reports generated by the EHR team each quarter to help identify outliers and encourage behavior change. The initiative reduced blood product utilization by nearly 50 percent over the first year with sustained reductions five years later. Advocate's clinical leaders attribute the project's success to a combination of effective project management, targeted EHR decision support and reporting to monitor and impact guideline adherence.
Ordering lab tests
Advocate also leveraged the EHR to reduce the likelihood its users would order tests deemed "low utility" by its lab utilization committee by hiding tests within the ordering window. The intervention has curbed improper utilization by two-thirds with a corresponding decrease in costs and a better patient experience.
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Source: HIMSS (View full article)
Posted by Dan Corcoran on January 16, 2018 06:54 AM
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