Cooperación entre médicos del departamento de emergencias y dermatólogos por telemedicina / Cooperation between emergency department physicians and dermatologists via telemedicine

Las intercurrencias dermatológicas agudas son un motivo de consulta frecuente a las centrales de emergencias, y generalmente los médicos de atención primaria se ocupan del primer nivel de atención. Puede ser necesaria una interconsulta con expertos, aunque no siempre estén disponibles. Ante la necesidad de facilitar dicha interacción a distancia, en Julio 2022 se implementó una herramienta de teledermatología en un hospital de alta complejidad en Buenos Aires, Argentina. Este servicio se limitó a días hábiles con horario restringido, permitiendo la comunicación entre médicos del departamento de emergencias y dermatólogos, a través de WhatsApp institucional. El dermatólogo podía verificar datos de salud relacionados al paciente (ej: comorbilidades y medicación crónica) mediante revisión de la historia clínica electrónica, para decidir sobre un plan de acción. Se evaluó la perspectiva de los usuarios a través de un formulario electrónico tras 3 meses de implementación. Los resultados evidenciaron que la mayoría (85%) de los profesionales conocía la herramienta, y el 57% la había usado al menos una vez. Se obtuvo una mediana de 9 puntos (de una escala de Likert del 1 al 10) sobre la recomendación hacia otro profesional. El teletriage dermatológico resultó beneficioso y fue aceptado, tanto por médicos de guardia como por especialistas. Ante las demoras en la atención ambulatoria, ha resultado una alternativa útil para evitar derivaciones innecesarias y/o acelerar aquellas que verdaderamente lo ameritan. Sin embargo, representa una forma de comunicación informal desde el punto de vista de almacenamiento de datos. Será necesario reflexionar sobre estos tópicos pendientes de esta experiencia asistencial como legalidad, seguridad y confidencialidad (AU)

Acute skin conditions are a frequent reason for consultation in emergency departments, and primary care physicians generally handle them. They might require referrals to experts, who are not always readily available. Recognizing the need to facilitate such interactions remotely, a teledermatology triage tool was implemented in July 2022 at a high-complexity hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The service was limited to business days with restricted hours, enabling communication between emergency department physicians and dermatologists through institutional WhatsApp. Dermatologists could access patient-related health data (e.g., comorbidities and chronic medication) through the electronic medical record to determine an appropriate course of action. The perspective of users was evaluated through an electronic questionnaire after three months of application. Results showed that most professionals were aware of the tool (85%), and 57% used it at least once. The median rating for recommending the tool to other professionals was 9 points (on a Likert scale from 1 to 10). Dermatological teletriage proved beneficial and was well-received by emergency physicians and specialists. In the face of delays in outpatient care, it has been a useful alternative to avoid unnecessary referrals and expedite those that are warranted. However, it represents an informal method of communication with regard to data storage. It will be necessary to rethink on improvements in pending topics such as legal limitations, security, and confidentiality of this healthcare experience (AU)

Integrating Dermoscopic Images into PACS Using DICOM and Modality Worklist.

Dermatology is one of the medical fields outside the radiology service that uses image acquisition and analysis in its daily medical practice, mostly through digital dermoscopy imaging modality. The acquisition, transfer, and storage of dermatology images has become an important issue to resolve. We aimed to describe our experience in integrating dermoscopic images into PACS using DICOM as a guide for the health informatics and dermatology community. During 2022 we integrated the video dermoscopy equipment through a strategic plan with an 8-step procedure. We used the DICOM standard with Modality Worklist and Storage commitment. Three systems were involved (video dermoscopy software, the EHR, and PACS). We identified critical steps and faced many challenges, such as the lack of a final model of DICOM standard for dermatology images.

Improving Waiting Time for Chemotherapy with Ahead-of-Time Drug Preparation.

Waiting time for chemotherapy infusion is a fundamental factor to measure quality of care. It has been shown that a prolonged waiting time is related to a higher incidence of anticipatory nausea and poor patient adherence to scheduled appointments and recommended oncology treatment programs. Some chemotherapy regimens can be prepared hours ahead-of-time, due to long stability. We aimed to study the effect of an informatic-led workflow redesign intervention, facilitating workflow changes in the Oncology Pharmacy, on patient waiting time. This intervention included changes on EHR processes and the chemotherapy CPOE. Their main effect was allowing ahead-of-time preparation of selected chemotherapy regimes. We conducted a cross sectional study, comparing waiting times pre and post intervention periods. A total of 4600 programmed chemotherapy episodes were included. We found a 26.5 % decrease in the mean wait time in the post intervention period (p > 0.02). We were able to show a decrease in waiting time and a measurable impact of the intervention. This evaluation produced valuable and actionable data for Oncology units and adds a valuable, Latin American experience to the literature.

Efecto de la inactivación de las órdenes múltiples para solicitud de estudios complementarios en una central de emergencias.

Introducción. La plantilla de órdenes múltiples es una herramienta informática que podría producir consecuencias inadvertidas pese a sus innumerables beneficios. Nos propusimos explorar el efecto de su inactivación sobre las solicitudes de estudios complementarios y los costos asociados. Métodos. Corte transversal en la Central de Emergencias de Adultos del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, que incluyó muestra consecutiva de consultas pre-intervención (Enero-Febrero 2020) y post-intervención (2021). Mediante el uso de bases secundarias, las variables incluidas fueron los débitos administrativos y sus respectivos precios de facturación. Resultados. Hubo 27.671 consultas en 2020 con una mediana de valor total de 474$, y 20.819 con 1.639$ en 2021. Tras el análisis restringido al área de consultorios de moderada complejidad (excluyendo consultas por COVID-19), se encontró: una disminución en la mediana del número de prácticas por consulta (mediana de 11 vs 10, p=0,001), una disminución en la solicitud de al menos una práctica de laboratorio (45% versus 39%, p=0,001), sin encontrar cambios significativos en costos globales (mediana 1.419$ vs 1.081$; p=0,122) ni en costos específicos de laboratorio (mediana 1.071$ vs 1.089$, p=0,710). Conclusión. Pese a la inflación interanual, se logró una reducción significativa en el número de prácticas y se mantuvieron los costos globales por consulta. Estos hallazgos demuestran la efectividad de la intervención, pero serán necesarias medidas educativas que apunten al recordatorio de los potenciales daños en la sobreutilización, y los costos sanitarios de los estudios innecesarios.

Effect of computerized physician order entry inactivation to order complementary studies in an emergency department / [Efecto de la inactivación de las órdenes múltiples para solicitud de estudios complementarios en una central de emergencias.]

Introduction: The computerized provider order entry (CPOE) is a computing tool that could lead to unintended consequences despite its myriad benefits. We aimed to explore the effect of its inactivation on requests for complementary studies and the associated costs. Methods: Cross sectional study at the Emergency Department of Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, which included a consecutive sample of pre-intervention (January-February 2020) and post-intervention (2021) consultations. Using secondary bases, the variables included were administrative debits and their respective billing prices. Results: There were 27,671 consultations in 2020 with a total median value of $474, and 20,819 with $1,639 in 2021. After the analysis restricted to the area of ​​moderately complex clinics (excluding COVID-19 consultations), the following was found: a decrease in the median number of practices per consultation (median of 11 vs. 10, p=0.001), a decrease in the request for at least one laboratory practice (45% vs. 39%, p=0.001), without finding significant changes in global costs (median $1,419 vs. $1,081; p=0.122) or in specific laboratory costs (median $1,071 vs. $1,089, p=0.710). Conclusion: Despite inflation, a significant reduction in the number of practices was achieved and overall costs per consultation were maintained. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the intervention, but an educational intervention aimed at reminding the potential harm of overuse and the health costs of unnecessary studies will be necessary.

Introducción: La plantilla de órdenes múltiples es una herramienta informática que podría producir consecuencias inadvertidas pese a sus innumerables beneficios. Nos propusimos explorar el efecto de su inactivación sobre las solicitudes de estudios complementarios y los costos asociados. Métodos: Corte transversal en la Central de Emergencias de Adultos del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, que incluyó muestra consecutiva de consultas pre-intervención (Enero-Febrero 2020) y post-intervención (2021). Mediante el uso de bases secundarias, las variables incluidas fueron los débitos administrativos y sus respectivos precios de facturación. Resultados: Hubo 27.671 consultas en 2020 con una mediana de valor total de 474$, y 20.819 con 1.639$ en 2021. Tras el análisis restringido al área de consultorios de moderada complejidad (excluyendo consultas por COVID-19), se encontró: una disminución en la mediana del número de prácticas por consulta (mediana de 11 vs 10, p=0,001), una disminución en la solicitud de al menos una práctica de laboratorio (45% versus 39%, p=0,001), sin encontrar cambios significativos en costos globales (mediana 1.419$ vs 1.081$; p=0,122) ni en costos específicos de laboratorio (mediana 1.071$ vs 1.089$, p=0,710). Conclusión: Pese a la inflación interanual, se logró una reducción significativa en el número de prácticas y se mantuvieron los costos globales por consulta. Estos hallazgos demuestran la efectividad de la intervención, pero serán necesarias medidas educativas que apunten al recordatorio de los potenciales daños en la sobreutilización, y los costos sanitarios de los estudios innecesarios.

Can CPOE Based on Electronic Order Sets Cause Unintended Consequences (Expensive and Unnecessary Tests) at the Emergency Department?

Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) systems may cause unintended consequences. This study aimed to describe the on-going system for CPOE order sets, and to explore an economic evaluation at the Emergency Department. First, we developed a costs dashboard which showed us the significant and excessive use of medical tests per consultation. We identified the top 10 most widely used and most expensive tests. Additionally we noticed that the labs seemed to continually increase. Then, we found that 27% of the consultations have at least one item of laboratory practice between January and February 2020, and this represents more than 80% of the consultation costs. Health care spending has reached epic proportions globally. We think that it is time to rethink effective strategies. Maybe it is time to deactivate/remove electronic order sets (EOSs) and the functionality to develop and create their own "private" order sets, in order to eliminate waste and inefficiencies.

Information Assessment for the Implementation of Electronic Informed Consent for Genetic Studies in a High Complexity Hospital.

The objective of this study was to investigate and analyze the most relevant aspects that influence the development and implementation of electronic informed consent for genetic studies. Interviews were conducted with experts in the area within our institution, the different informed consents available and the number of genetic studies requested in the last 5 years were analyzed. Professionals acknowledged the ethical dilemmas related to the genetic studies and the importance of having an electronic informed consent that not only provides the patient with the information necessary to understand the implications of the study, but also be flexible enough to adapt to the various genetic studies today. The development of informed consent is a challenge for health IT professionals, due to the complexity of the information it contains and the ethical implications it represents.

Clinical Decision Support System for PIM in Elderly Patients: Implementation and Initial Evaluation in Ambulatory Care.

The high prevalence of PIMs in elderly is a major healthcare concern and indicates the need for medication monitoring systems. Most PIM CDSS have shown positive effects respecting PIM prescription but these results were more consistently in hospital settings compared with ambulatory care. We describe the post-implementation evaluation of a PIM CDSS for general practitioners (GP) in the ambulatory setting and explore GP interactions with the PIM alerts. The CDSS generated 3218 unique alerts and involved 2863 elderly patients. Benzodiazepines was the drug with the most alerts triggered. Only 129 (4 %) were opened by GP during patient appointments. We need to develop an understanding of how alerts should be designed and display information to support the workflow of general practitioners. Pos-implementation evaluations are the key of CDSS improvements.

Exploring the Digital Divide as a Barrier to Use of a Personal Health Record in the Elderly.

The digital divide can hinder the ability of elderly patients to fully benefit from PHRs. They are "digital immigrants", not having the life-long exposure to technology as younger generations, as well as physical and cognitive disabilities. The aim of this study was to explore the digital divide as a barrier for the use of a PHR in older adults (> 69 years of age) and describe the use of a PHR in an elderly population in Argentina. We conducted a cross sectional study which included older adults who attended the Coronavirus vaccination campaign in 2021. Data were collected through a survey encompassing digital divide factors and use of the PHR. A total of 128 participants agreed to complete the survey, 60.15% reported using the PHR. We found a statistically significant correlation of education level, having a personal computer and internet access with PHR use. Concerning PHR users, 45.45% reported needing assistance to use it. Although the elderly population represents a large portion of patients, there is not enough research done on their use experience using eHealth solutions. There is pending work in the eHealth field to integrate these elders into current PHRs and help them enjoy their benefits.

Information Needs at the O.R. Waiting Room.

The objective of this study was to investigate the difficulties and information needs that both patients and their companions have in the context of a scheduled surgery. Observations in the operating room waiting zone and semi-structured interviews were conducted to patients with scheduled surgeries, their companions, administrative staff members and surgeons. We developed a journey map to explain the patient's experience through the perioperative process. The emerging categories were Fragmented communication, Understanding the surgical process and Waiting times. Knowing the information needs of patients and companions was important to identify problems and opportunities for improvement in our institution's Personal Health Records.