| Title | Inpatient-outpatient shared electronic health records: telemedicine and laboratory follow-up after hospital discharge. |
| Authors | Reed, M; Huang, J; Brand, R; Graetz, I; Jaffe, MG; Ballard, D; Neugebauer, R; Fireman, B; Hsu, J |
| Journal | The American journal of managed care |
| Publication Date | 1 Oct 2020 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 24 Oct 2020 |
| Abstract | Continuity of patient information across settings can improve transitions after hospital discharge, but outpatient clinicians often have limited access to complete information from recent hospitalizations. We examined whether providers' timely access to clinical information through shared inpatient-outpatient electronic health records (EHRs) was associated with follow-up visits, return emergency department (ED) visits, or readmissions after hospital discharge in patients with diabetes. Stepped-wedge observational study. As an integrated delivery system staggered implementation of a shared inpatient-outpatient EHR, we studied 241,510 hospital discharges in patients with diabetes (2005-2011), examining rates of outpatient follow-up office visits, telemedicine (phone visits and asynchronous secure messages), laboratory tests, and return ED visits or readmissions (as adverse events). We used multivariate logistic regression adjusting for time trends, patient characteristics, and medical center and accounting for patient clustering to calculate adjusted follow-up rates. For patients with diabetes, provider use of a shared inpatient-outpatient EHR was associated with a statistically significant shift toward follow-up delivered through a combination of telemedicine and outpatient laboratory tests, without a traditional in-person visit (from 22.9% with an outpatient-only EHR to 27.0% with a shared inpatient-outpatient EHR; P < .05). We found no statistically significant differences in 30-day return ED visits (odds ratio, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.96-1.09) or readmissions (odds ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.91-1.06) with the shared EHR compared with the outpatient-only EHR. Real-time clinical information availability during transitions between health care settings, along with robust telemedicine access, may shift the method of care delivery without adversely affecting patient health outcomes. Efforts to expand interoperability and information exchange may support follow-up care efficiency. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.37765/ajmc.2020.88506 |
| Title | Interoperability frameworks linking mHealth applications to electronic record systems. |
| Authors | Ndlovu, K; Mars, M; Scott, RE |
| Journal | BMC health services research |
| Publication Date | 13 May 2021 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 15 May 2021 |
| Abstract | mHealth presents innovative approaches to enhance primary healthcare delivery in developing countries like Botswana. The impact of mHealth solutions can be improved if they are interoperable with eRecord systems such as electronic health records, electronic medical records and patient health records. eHealth interoperability frameworks exist but their availability and utility for linking mHealth solutions to eRecords in developing world settings like Botswana is unknown. The recently adopted eHealth Strategy for Botswana recognises interoperability as an issue and mHealth as a potential solution for some healthcare needs, but does not address linking the two. This study reviewed published reviews of eHealth interoperability frameworks for linking mHealth solutions with eRecords, and assessed their relevance to informing interoperability efforts with respect to Botswana's eHealth Strategy. A structured literature review and analysis of published reviews of eHealth interoperability frameworks was performed to determine if any are relevant to linking mHealth with eRecords. The Botswanan eHealth Strategy was reviewed. Four articles presented and reviewed eHealth interoperability frameworks that support linking of mHealth interventions to eRecords and associated implementation strategies. While the frameworks were developed for specific circumstances and therefore were based upon varying assumptions and perspectives, they entailed aspects that are relevant and could be drawn upon when developing an mHealth interoperability framework for Botswana. Common emerging themes of infrastructure, interoperability standards, data security and usability were identified and discussed; all of which are important in the developing world context such as in Botswana. The Botswana eHealth Strategy recognises interoperability, mHealth, and eRecords as distinct issues, but not linking of mHealth solutions with eRecords. Delivery of healthcare is shifting from hospital-based to patient-centered primary healthcare and community-based settings, using mHealth interventions. The impact of mHealth solutions can be improved if data generated from them are converted into digital information ready for transmission and incorporation into eRecord systems. The Botswana eHealth Strategy stresses the need to have interoperable eRecords, but mHealth solutions must not be left out. Literature insight about mHealth interoperability with eRecords can inform implementation strategies for Botswana and elsewhere. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06473-6 |
| Title | Bridging the integration gap between patient-generated blood glucose data and electronic health records. |
| Authors | Lewinski, AA; Drake, C; Shaw, RJ; Jackson, GL; Bosworth, HB; Oakes, M; Gonzales, S; Jelesoff, NE; Crowley, MJ |
| Journal | Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association : JAMIA |
| Publication Date | 1 Jul 2019 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 14 Jun 2019 |
| Abstract | Telemedicine can facilitate population health management by extending the reach of providers to efficiently care for high-risk, high-utilization populations. However, for telemedicine to be maximally useful, data collected using telemedicine technologies must be reliable and readily available to healthcare providers. To address current gaps in integration of patient-generated health data into the electronic health record (EHR), we examined 2 patient-facing platforms, Epic MyChart and Apple HealthKit, both of which facilitated the uploading of blood glucose data into the EHR as part of a diabetes telemedicine intervention. All patients were offered use of the MyChart platform; we subsequently invited a purposive sample of patients who used the MyChart platform effectively (n = 5) to also use the Apple HealthKit platform. Patients reported both platforms helped with diabetes self-management, and providers appreciated the convenience of the processes for obtaining patient data. Providers stated that the EHR data presentation format for Apple HealthKit was challenging to interpret; however, they also valued the greater perceived accuracy the Apple HealthKit data. Our findings indicate that patient-facing platforms can feasibly facilitate transmission of patient-generated health data into the EHR and support telemedicine-based care. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocz039 |
| Title | Implementing Telemedicine in Primary Care: Learning Lessons From Electronic Health Records. |
| Authors | Sinsky, CA |
| Journal | Mayo Clinic proceedings |
| Publication Date | 1 Sep 2020 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 31 Aug 2020 |
| Abstract | |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.07.017 |
| Title | LoVE in a time of CoVID: Clinician and patient experience using telemedicine for chronic epilepsy management. |
| Authors | Banks, J; Corrigan, D; Grogan, R; El-Naggar, H; White, M; Doran, E; Synnott, C; Fitzsimons, M; Delanty, N; Doherty, CP |
| Journal | Epilepsy & behavior : E&B |
| Publication Date | 1 Feb 2021 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 22 Dec 2020 |
| Abstract | As part of our ongoing interest in patient- and family-centered care in epilepsy, we began, before the onset of the CoVID-19 pandemic, to evaluate the concerns and preferences of those delivering and receiving care via telemedicine. CoVID-19 arrived and acted as an unexpected experiment in nature, catalyzing telemedicine's widespread implementation across many disciplines of medicine. The arrival of CoVID-19 in Ireland gave us the opportunity to record these perceptions pre- and post-CoVID. Data were extracted from the National Epilepsy Electronic Patient Record (EEPR). Power BI Analytics collated data from two epilepsy centers in Dublin. Analysis of data on reasons for using the telephone support line was conducted. A subset of patients and clinicians who attended virtual encounters over both periods were asked for their perception of telemedicine care through a mixed methods survey. Between 23rd December 2019 and 23rd March 2020 (pre-CoVID era), a total of 1180 patients were seen in 1653 clinical encounters. As part of a telemedicine pilot study, 50 of these encounters were scheduled virtual telephone appointments. Twenty eight surveys were completed by clinicians and 18 by patients during that period. From 24th March 2020 to 24th June 2020, 1164 patients were seen in 1693 encounters of which 729 (63%) patients were seen in 748 scheduled virtual encounters. 118 clinician impressions were captured through an online survey and 75 patients or carers completed a telephone survey during the post-CoVID era. There was no backlog of appointments or loss of care continuity forced by the pandemic. Clinicians expressed strong levels of satisfaction, but some doubted the suitability of new patients to the service or candidates for surgery receiving care via telemedicine. Patients reported positive experiences surrounding telephone appointments comparing them favorably to face-to-face encounters. The availability of a shared EEPR demonstrated no loss of care contact for patients with epilepsy. The survey showed that telemedicine is seen as an effective and satisfactory method of delivering chronic outpatient care. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107675 |
| Title | eHealth 2015 Special Issue: Impact of Electronic Health Records on the Completeness of Clinical Documentation Generated during Diabetic Retinopathy Consultations. |
| Authors | Mitsch, C; Huber, P; Kriechbaum, K; Scholda, C; Duftschmid, G; Wrba, T; Schmidt-Erfurth, U |
| Journal | Applied clinical informatics |
| Publication Date | 1 Dec 2015 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 9 Oct 2015 |
| Abstract | Two years ago, the Diabetic Retinopathy (DRP) and Traumatology clinic of the Department of Ophthalmology and Optometrics at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria switched from paper-based to electronic health records. A customized electronic health record system (EHR-S) was implemented. To assess the completeness of information documented electronically compared with manually during patient visits. The Preferred Practice Pattern for Diabetic Retinopathy published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology was distilled into a list of medical features grouped into categories to be assessed and documented during the management of patients with DRP. The last seventy paper-based records and all electronic records generated since the switch were analyzed and graded for the presence of features on the list and the resulting scores compared. In all categories, clinical documentation was more complete in the EHR group. In our setting, the implementation of an EHR-S showed a statistically significant positive impact on documentation completeness. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2014-11-RA-0104 |
| Title | eHealth and Clinical Documentation Systems. |
| Authors | Knaup, P; Benning, NH; Seitz, MW; Eisenmann, U |
| Journal | Studies in health technology and informatics |
| Publication Date | 25 Sep 2020 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 30 Sep 2020 |
| Abstract | eHealth is the use of modern information and communication technology (ICT) for trans-institutional healthcare purposes. Important subtopics of eHealth are health data sharing and telemedicine. Most of the clinical documentation to be shared is collected in patient records to support patient care. More sophisticated approaches to electronic patient records are trans-institutional or (inter-)national. Other aims for clinical documentation are quality management, reimbursement, legal issues, and medical research. Basic prerequisite for eHealth is interoperability, which can be divided into technical, semantic and process interoperability. There is a variety of international standards to support interoperability. Telemedicine is a subtopic of eHealth, which bridges spatial distance by using ICT for medical (inter-)actions. We distinguish telemedicine among healthcare professionals and telemedicine between health care professionals and patients. Both have a great potential to face the challenges of aging societies, the increasing number of chronically ill patients, multimorbidity and low number of physicians in remote areas. With ongoing digitalization more and more data are available digitally. Clinical documentation is an important source for big data analysis and artificial intelligence. The patient has an important role: Telemonitoring, wearable technologies, and smart home devices provide digital health data from daily life. These are high-quality data which can be used for medical decisions. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.3233/SHTI200676 |
| Title | Telemedicine and healthcare disparities: a cohort study in a large healthcare system in New York City during COVID-19. |
| Authors | Chunara, R; Zhao, Y; Chen, J; Lawrence, K; Testa, PA; Nov, O; Mann, DM |
| Journal | Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association : JAMIA |
| Publication Date | 15 Jan 2021 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 1 Sep 2020 |
| Abstract | Through the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, telemedicine became a necessary entry point into the process of diagnosis, triage, and treatment. Racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare have been well documented in COVID-19 with respect to risk of infection and in-hospital outcomes once admitted, and here we assess disparities in those who access healthcare via telemedicine for COVID-19. Electronic health record data of patients at New York University Langone Health between March 19th and April 30, 2020 were used to conduct descriptive and multilevel regression analyses with respect to visit type (telemedicine or in-person), suspected COVID diagnosis, and COVID test results. Controlling for individual and community-level attributes, Black patients had 0.6 times the adjusted odds (95% CI: 0.58-0.63) of accessing care through telemedicine compared to white patients, though they are increasingly accessing telemedicine for urgent care, driven by a younger and female population. COVID diagnoses were significantly more likely for Black versus white telemedicine patients. There are disparities for Black patients accessing telemedicine, however increased uptake by young, female Black patients. Mean income and decreased mean household size of a zip code were also significantly related to telemedicine use. Telemedicine access disparities reflect those in in-person healthcare access. Roots of disparate use are complex and reflect individual, community, and structural factors, including their intersection-many of which are due to systemic racism. Evidence regarding disparities that manifest through telemedicine can be used to inform tool design and systemic efforts to promote digital health equity. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocaa217 |
| Title | Novel application of telemedicine and an alternate EHR environment for virtual clinical education: A new model for primary care education during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. |
| Authors | Shoemaker, MM; Lippold, C; Schreiber, R; Levy, B |
| Journal | International journal of medical informatics |
| Publication Date | 1 Sep 2021 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 26 Jun 2021 |
| Abstract | Restrictions to direct patient contact resulting from the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic left some medical students near graduation in need of a required critical care medicine (CCM) sub-internship. A group of educators deployed a virtual curriculum utilizing telemedicine and electronic health record (EHR) technologies. Nine students participated in a formal curriculum of high-value critical care medicine topics designed to meet the learning objectives of the in-person experience. Students obtained patient histories and directed physical examinations virtually via telemedicine. They followed assigned patients, submitted clinical documentation, and practiced electronic order entry using a non-production EHR copy. At conclusion these students completed the same evaluation used for "in-person" CCM rotations earlier in the year. Students rated the virtual rotation comparably to the traditional rotation in most evaluated criteria. Lower rated areas included "perform minor procedures", "patient counseling", and "interprofessional experiences". Students' narrative responses specifically noted strengths of the "student focus" and the ability to practice in an EHR copy. Students and preceptors generally found that the virtual curriculum provided adequate educational opportunities. Certain areas were clearly lacking, as expected. Students felt the dedication of the faculty to the students' educational needs was the most important factor contributing to the success of the program. The results suggest several ways telemedicine and EHR technologies might enhance clinical medical education in the future. This methodology was successful in providing elements of a CCM rotation experience. This technology could prove efficacious for primary care rotations where in-person training is not feasible due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2021.104526 |
| Title | Remote symptom monitoring integrated into electronic health records: A systematic review. |
| Authors | Gandrup, J; Ali, SM; McBeth, J; van der Veer, SN; Dixon, WG |
| Journal | Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association : JAMIA |
| Publication Date | 1 Nov 2020 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 25 Sep 2020 |
| Abstract | People with long-term conditions require serial clinical assessments. Digital patient-reported symptoms collected between visits can inform these, especially if integrated into electronic health records (EHRs) and clinical workflows. This systematic review identified and summarized EHR-integrated systems to remotely collect patient-reported symptoms and examined their anticipated and realized benefits in long-term conditions. We searched Medline, Web of Science, and Embase. Inclusion criteria were symptom reporting systems in adults with long-term conditions; data integrated into the EHR; data collection outside of clinic; data used in clinical care. We synthesized data thematically. Benefits were assessed against a list of outcome indicators. We critically appraised studies using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. We included 12 studies representing 10 systems. Seven were in oncology. Systems were technically and functionally heterogeneous, with the majority being fully integrated (data viewable in the EHR). Half of the systems enabled regular symptom tracking between visits. We identified 3 symptom report-guided clinical workflows: Consultation-only (data used during consultation, n = 5), alert-based (real-time alerts for providers, n = 4) and patient-initiated visits (n = 1). Few author-described anticipated benefits, primarily to improve communication and resultant health outcomes, were realized based on the study results, and were only supported by evidence from early-stage qualitative studies. Studies were primarily feasibility and pilot studies of acceptable quality. EHR-integrated remote symptom monitoring is possible, but there are few published efforts to inform development of these systems. Currently there is limited evidence that this improves care and outcomes, warranting future robust, quantitative studies of efficacy and effectiveness. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocaa177 |