The Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network Registry: A Multicenter Electronic Health Record Registry of Pediatric Emergency Care.

BACKGROUND: Electronic health record (EHR)-based registries allow for robust data to be derived directly from the patient clinical record and can provide important information about processes of care delivery and patient health outcomes. METHODS: A data dictionary, and subsequent data model, were developed describing EHR data sources to include all processes of care within the emergency department (ED). ED visit data were deidentified and XML files were created and submitted to a central data coordinating center for inclusion in the registry. Automated data quality control occurred prior to submission through an application created for this project. Data quality reports were created for manual data quality review. RESULTS: The Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) Registry, representing four hospital systems and seven EDs, demonstrates that ED data from disparate health systems and EHR vendors can be harmonized for use in a single registry with a common data model. The current PECARN Registry represents data from 2,019,461 pediatric ED visits, 894,503 distinct patients, more than 12.5 million narrative reports, and 12,469,754 laboratory tests and continues to accrue data monthly. CONCLUSION: The Registry is a robust harmonized clinical registry that includes data from diverse patients, sites, and EHR vendors derived via data extraction, deidentification, and secure submission to a central data coordinating center. The data provided may be used for benchmarking, clinical quality improvement, and comparative effectiveness research.

Preparing for International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification implementation: strategies for maintaining an efficient workflow.

The International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, is required to be used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services health care billing data starting in October 2015 in the United States. The International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, is an update to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, and contains approximately 70,000 codes compared with 14,000 codes. We aimed to discuss how our institution is updating the coding system in a manner that alleviates the possible burden placed on providers including more coding information required and longer load times. We performed a simulation test including testing the diagnosis calculator, timing, and how well the new and old codes mapped. We conducted a gap analysis to ensure that coding could begin in October of 2015 with minimal service interruptions. We will describe strategies and procedures to transition between systems while maintaining efficiency and helping to improve classification.

Evaluation and management of sexually transmitted infections in adolescent males presenting to a pediatric emergency department: is the chief complaint diagnostic?

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to (1) describe evaluation and treatment patterns for adolescent males presenting with a concern for sexually transmitted infection (STI) in a pediatric emergency department, (2) assess the rates of STIs in symptomatic males, and (3) determine the utility of urinalysis alone in predicting STIs in adolescent males. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of all patients presenting to our pediatric emergency department from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2007. Inclusion criteria included males, aged 15 to 21 years, with an STI or urinary chief complaint. Exclusion criteria were referrals from pediatricians, a previous history of urinary tract infection or preexisting urologic condition, or primary complaint of scrotal and/or testicular pain. RESULTS: A total of 270 patients were identified. Testing included urinalysis with microscopy (UA) (64%), urine culture (53%), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC), and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) (93%), and Trichomonas vaginalis (5%). Sixty-four percent of males tested positive for either GC or CT, or both. Overall, 91% of patients were treated for CT and GC, 18% for T. vaginalis, and 5% for urinary tract infection. The sensitivity and specificity of a positive UA for presence of GC and/or CT were 86% and 82%, respectively, whereas the positive and negative predictive values were 89% and 77%, respectively. There were no positive urine cultures in the cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Sixty-four percent of patients were diagnosed with either GC or CT. Although UA is helpful in predicting STI, limited use is warranted, given the high prevalence of disease in this selected population. The urine culture does not appear to be a necessary adjunct in the management of these patients.