Electronic health records and patient registries in medical oncology departments in Spain.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the current situation of electronic health records (EHRs) and patient registries in the oncology departments of hospitals in Spain. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from December 2018 to September 2019. The survey was designed ad hoc by the Outcomes Evaluation and Clinical Practice Section of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) and was distributed to all head of medical oncology department members of SEOM. RESULTS: We invited 148 heads of oncology departments, and 81 (54.7%) questionnaires were completed, with representation from all 17 Spanish autonomous communities. Seventy-seven (95%) of the respondents had EHRs implemented at their hospitals; of them, over 80% considered EHRs to have a positive impact on work organization and clinical practice, and 73% considered that EHRs improve the quality of patient care. In contrast, 27 (35.1%) of these respondents felt that EHRs worsened the physician-patient relationship and conveyed an additional workload (n = 29; 37.6%). Several drawbacks in the implementation of EHRs were identified, including the limited inclusion of information on both outpatients and inpatients, information recorded in free text data fields, and the availability of specific informed consent. Forty-six (56.7%) respondents had patient registries where they recorded information from all patients seen in the department. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that EHRs are almost universally implemented in the hospitals surveyed and are considered to have a positive impact on work organization and clinical practice. However, EHRs currently have several drawbacks that limit their use for investigational purposes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

Electronic prescription: frequency and severity of medication errors.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency and severity of prescriptions errors with potentially dangerous drugs (heparin and potassium chloride for injection concentrate) before and after the introduction of a computerized provider order entry (CPOE) system. METHODS: This is a retrospective study that compared errors in manual/pre-typed prescriptions in 2007 (Stage 1) with CPOE prescriptions in 2014 (Stage 2) (Total = 1,028 prescriptions), in two high-complexity hospitals of Belo Horizonte, Brasil. RESULTS: An increase of 25% in the frequency of errors in Hospital 1 was observed after the intervention (p<0.001). In contrast, a decreased error frequency of 85% was observed in Hospital 2 (p<0.001). Regarding potassium chloride, the error rate remained unchanged in Hospital 1 (p>0.05). In Hospital 2, a significant decrease was recorded in Stage 2 (p<0.001). A reduced error severity with heparin (p<0.001) was noted, while potassium chloride-related prescription severity remain unchanged (p> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency and severity of medication errors after the introduction of CPOE was affected differently in the two hospitals, which shows a need for thorough observation when the prescription system is modified. Control of new potential errors introduced and their causes for the adoption of measures to prevent these events must be in place during and after the implementation of this technology.

Electronic prescription: frequency and severity of medication errors

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency and severity of prescriptions errors with potentially dangerous drugs (heparin and potassium chloride for injection concentrate) before and after the introduction of a computerized provider order entry (CPOE) system. METHODS: This is a retrospective study that compared errors in manual/pre-typed prescriptions in 2007 (Stage 1) with CPOE prescriptions in 2014 (Stage 2) (Total = 1,028 prescriptions), in two high-complexity hospitals of Belo Horizonte, Brasil. RESULTS: An increase of 25% in the frequency of errors in Hospital 1 was observed after the intervention (p<0.001). In contrast, a decreased error frequency of 85% was observed in Hospital 2 (p<0.001). Regarding potassium chloride, the error rate remained unchanged in Hospital 1 (p>0.05). In Hospital 2, a significant decrease was recorded in Stage 2 (p<0.001). A reduced error severity with heparin (p<0.001) was noted, while potassium chloride-related prescription severity remain unchanged (p> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency and severity of medication errors after the introduction of CPOE was affected differently in the two hospitals, which shows a need for thorough observation when the prescription system is modified. Control of new potential errors introduced and their causes for the adoption of measures to prevent these events must be in place during and after the implementation of this technology.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Avaliar a frequência e a gravidade de erros em prescrições envolvendo medicamentos potencialmente perigosos (heparina e cloreto de potássio concentrado injetável) antes e após a introdução de um sistema de prescrição eletrônica. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo retrospectivo que comparou erros em prescrições manuais e pré-digitadas de 2007 (Fase 1) com prescrições eletrônicas de 2014 (Fase 2) (total = 1.028 prescrições), em dois hospitais de alta complexidade de Belo Horizonte. RESULTADOS: Foi observado no hospital 1 aumento de 25% dos erros depois da intervenção (p<0,001), e no hospital 2 foi verificada redução de 85% (p<0,001). Para o cloreto de potássio, a frequência de erros permaneceu a mesma no hospital 1 (p>0,05), independentemente da fase e, no hospital 2, ocorreu redução significativa na fase 2 (p<0,001). Foi identificada redução da gravidade dos erros com a heparina (p<0,001), mas não houve alteração na gravidade dos erros com cloreto de potássio (p>0,05). CONCLUSÕES: A frequência e a gravidade dos erros de medicação após a introdução de prescrição eletrônica foram impactadas de forma diferente nos dois hospitais, demonstrando necessidade de observação criteriosa quando o sistema de prescrição é modificado. Durante e após a implantação dessa tecnologia, deve existir controle dos novos erros potenciais introduzidos e suas causas para a adoção de medidas de prevenção desses eventos.

Access To E-Prescriptions And Related Technologies Before And After Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, And Maria.

Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria devastated parts of the US mainland and Puerto Rico during the 2017 hurricane season, causing loss of life and substantial damage and interrupting access to health care for many people in the hurricane impact zones. Using data on e-prescriptions and medication history transactions from a large health information network for the period August 2017-May 2018, we examined providers' access to these technologies across affected areas. Although e-prescribing and medication history transactions decreased considerably during each hurricane, transaction volumes returned to normal levels in the days immediately following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in Texas and Florida. E-prescribing activity in Puerto Rico did not return to baseline levels at all during the study period, and medication history transactions returned to normal only after an extended period following Hurricane Maria.

Erros de prescrição em uma farmácia básica do distrito federal / Errores de prescripción en una farmacia básica del distrito federal / Prescription errors in a basic pharmacy of the federal district

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar prescrições eletrônicas e manuais quanto à ocorrência de polifarmácia e tipos potenciais de erros de medicação no contexto da atenção primária. Material e método: Estudo de caráter descritivo, transversal e retrospectivo, baseado na avaliação de prescrições manuais e eletrônicas arquivadas na farmácia da Unidade Básica de Saúde do Distrito Federal de Brasília (DF). Foram incluídas as segundas vias das prescrições para as doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. Resultados: 1500 prescrições foram analisadas. Apontaram a não totalidade dos critérios de avaliação proposto neste estudo, dentre eles: ilegibilidade (35,5%), abreviaturas (97,7%), forma farmacêutica (57,6%), concentração (32,4%). A polifarmácia foi identificada em 46% dos usuários e estava diretamente relacionada à idade do usuário. Conclusão: As prescrições apresentaram incompletude de informações em relação ao que estabelece a legislação, são necessárias estratégias que busquem melhorar a promoção de saúde na atenção básica, como trabalhos de educação permanente e que visem sensibilizar os prescritores e demais atores envolvidos neste processo sobre o ato de prescrever medicamentos.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze electronic and manual prescriptions regarding the occurrence of polypharmacy and potential types of medication errors in the context of primary care. Material and method: A descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective study based on the evaluation of prescriptions filed at the pharmacy of a Basic Health Unit of the Federal District of Brazil. Copies of prescriptions for chronic non-communicable diseases were included. Results: 1500 prescriptions were analyzed according to evaluation criteria, such as illegibility (35.5 %), abbreviations (97.7%), dosage form (57.6%), and concentration (32.4%). Polypharmacy was identified in 46% of users and it was directly related to the age of the user. Conclusion: Prescriptions presented incomplete information regarding current legislation. Strategies that seek to improve health promotion in primary care, such as permanent education and more awareness from prescribers and other actors involved in the process of prescribing medications, are required.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar prescripciones electrónicas y manuales en cuanto a la ocurrencia de polifarmacia y tipos potenciales de errores de medicación en el contexto de la atención primaria. Material y método: Estudio de carácter descriptivo, transversal y retrospectivo, basado en la evaluación de prescripciones manuales y electrónicas archivadas en la farmacia de la Unidad Básica de Salud (UBS) del Distrito Federal (Brasil). Se incluyeron los duplicados de las prescripciones para las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles. Resultados: Se analizaron 1.500 prescripciones considerando la no totalidad de los criterios de evaluación propuestos en este estudio, entre ellos: ilegibilidad (35,5%), abreviaturas (97,7%), forma farmacéutica (57,6%), concentración (32,4%). Se identificó polifarmacia en el 46% de los usuarios y que estaba directamente relacionada a la edad del usuario. Conclusión: Las prescripciones presentaron información incompleta en relación a lo establecido por la legislación. Se requieren estrategias que busquen mejorar la promoción de salud en la atención básica, como educación permanente y sensibilización de los prescriptores y demás actores involucrados en el acto de prescribir medicamentos.

Patient, Physician, and Health-System Factors Influencing the Quality of Antidepressant and Sedative Prescribing for Older, Community-Dwelling Adults.

OBJECTIVE: To identify determinants of potentially inappropriate (PI) antidepressant and anxiolytic/sedative prescribing for older, community-dwelling adults. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING: Office visits from the 2010 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study measuring associations between various patient and physician factors and prescribing of PI antidepressants, and PI sedatives among elderly, using Beers 2012/2015 criteria, a clinical decision model, and multivariate logistic regressions. DATA COLLECTION: Visits by older adults (≥65 years) involving medications were extracted to identify visits with antidepressants and sedatives. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Black race, asthma, depression, osteoporosis, payment type, consultation time, and computer systems with prescribing support were associated with reduced odds of PI antidepressant prescribing among users. Income, chronic renal failure, diabetes, and obesity were associated with reduced odds of PI sedative prescribing. Female sex, white race, depression, increasing number of medications, and physician specialty were associated with increased odds of PI sedative prescribing. CONCLUSIONS: Various patient and health-system factors influence the quality of antidepressant and sedative prescribing for older community-dwelling adults. Longer consultations and the use of computer systems with prescribing support may minimize potentially inappropriate antidepressant prescribing. As medication numbers increase, exposure to PI sedatives is more likely, requiring medication review and monitoring.