Leveraging Information Technology to Hardwire Diagnostic Stewardship
Journal Title: Journal of Medical Diagnostic Methods - Year 2018, Vol 7, Issue 4
Abstract
Objective: This article reports the impact of an electronic educational tool embedded in the electronic medical record on diagnostic stewardship of procalcitonin (PCT)-A biomarker used to differentiate bacterial from viral infection. This tool specifically targets the preanalytic (ordering and collection) phase of the PCT test. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at a 401-bed academic medical center from February 2017- February 2018. The preintervention phase extended from February 2017-July 2017; intervention phase from August 2017- September 2017 and postintervention phase from October 2017-February 2018. Results: A total of 567 PCT orders were evaluated. There was an overall reduction in total PCT orders and an improvement in appropriate PCT orders. Total PCT orders reduced by 54.4% (P<0.001). Appropriate ordering for PCT improved by 33.4% (P<0.001). Conclusion: Our results further support the use of information technology to hardwire diagnostic stewardship, an important strategy to improve resource utilization and patient care.
Authors and Affiliations
Neha Nanda, Neeti Vyas
Value of Alberta Stroke Program early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) in the Evaluation of Middle Cerebral Artery Acute Ischemic Stroke using CT and DW-MRI
Background: Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) is a quantitative score to evaluate early ischemic changes in the middle cerebral arterial territory on Computed Tomography (CT) in addition to...
Effect of a Course of Biostatistics in an Integrated Curriculum
Aim: Lack of knowledge for biostatistics adversely affect the skills required for a competent physician. However, literature is deficient to show whether medical students learn it and course of biostatistics is effective...
Muscle Volume Measurement for Intensive Care Unit Acquired weakness using Computed Tomography: A Pilot Study
Muscle volume measurement is important for ICUAW evaluation, which has been done using ultrasound and manual muscle testing. We compared the reliability of CT and other methods for muscle volume measurement. This observa...
Determination of Calibration Cycles Using X-ray Tube Output, Workload and Use Factor for Diagnostic X-rays
The stipulated standard time according to annual inspection done under the Health Facility Act 2008 is once per year however, due to varying workloads, use factor, and tube age the calibration cycles can be adjusted. Sig...
An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Structural Radiation Shielding Barriers of a Radiation Therapy Facility: Cancer Institute of Guyana
This project thoroughly investigates the integrity of the structural radiation shielding barriers of the radiation therapy facility of Cancer Institute of Guyana which houses a Linear Accelerator (LINAC) of 6 MV. The LIN...