Informing the design of clinical decision support services for evaluation of children with minor blunt head trauma in the emergency department: A sociotechnical analysis

Integration of clinical decision support services (CDSS) into electronic health records (EHRs) may be integral to widespread dissemination and use of clinical prediction rules in the emergency department (ED). However, the best way to design such services to maximize their usefulness in such a complex setting is poorly understood. We conducted a multi-site cross-sectional qualitative study whose aim was to describe the sociotechnical environment in the ED to inform the design of a CDSS intervention to implement the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) clinical prediction rules for children with minor blunt head trauma. Informed by a sociotechnical model consisting of eight dimensions, we conducted focus groups, individual interviews and workflow observations in 11 EDs, of which 5 were located in academic medical centers and 6 were in community hospitals. A total of 126 ED clinicians, information technology specialists, and administrators participated. We clustered data into 19 categories of sociotechnical factors through a process of thematic analysis and subsequently organized the categories into a sociotechnical matrix consisting of three high-level sociotechnical dimensions (workflow and communication, organizational factors, human factors) and three themes (interdisciplinary assessment processes, clinical practices related to prediction rules, EHR as a decision support tool). Design challenges that emerged from the analysis included the need to use structured data fields to support data capture and re-use while maintaining efficient care processes, supporting interdisciplinary communication, and facilitating family-clinician interaction for decision-making.     

Rosiglitazone maleate + metformin hydrochloride extend: review of an emerging compound

Clinical practice guidelines from around the world have continued to highlight the importance of glycemic control in the prevention of diabetes complications. Despite the many tools available to achieve these targets, it remains a constant challenge for healthcare providers and patients alike. Rosiglitazone maleate + metformin hydrochloride extend is a new compound that has the advantage of the clinical experience and knowledge about the current version and the added benefit of being a once daily, single pill option. The existing version of rosiglitazone + metformin has been shown to effectively lower hemoglobin A1C, improve insulin sensitivity and minimize weight gain. It is expected that the new compound will also have similar features, with the added benefit of improved patient adherence given its once daily formulation.     

医疗失效模式与效应分析在药物基因实验质量管理的应用与实践

目的 通过应用医疗失效模式与效应分析(healthfailure mode and effect analysis，HFMEA)，预防药物基因实验的风险事件，提高药物基因实验的操作质量。方法 药学实验室成立失效模式与影响分析(failure mode and effect analysis，FMEA)活动小组，采用头脑风暴法，借助HFMEA模式，识别及分析药物基因实验过程前、中、后可能存在的操作、仪器及环境对药物基因实验质控造成的风险事件，同时制定相对应的解决方案。结果 开展HFMEA活动后，预防与补救了药物基因实验前、中、后的风险事件产生，风险系数值由总分值1 375分降至62.36分，降幅为95.47%(P<0.01)；活动小组成员在品管手法、解决问题能力、沟通配合、积极性等方面得到了显著提高。结论 HFMEA活动有助于降低药物基因实验产生风险事件的频次，有效提升实验室的质量管理。     

Opportunities for Improving Post-Hospital Home Medication Management Among Older Adults

SUMMARY

Effective post-hospital home medication management among older adults is a convoluted, error-prone process. Older adults, whose complex medication regimens are often changed at hospital discharge, are susceptible to medication-related problems (e.g., Adverse Drug Events or ADEs) as they resume responsibility for managing their medications at home. Human error theory frames the discussion of multi-faceted, interacting factors including care system functions, like discharge medication teaching that contribute to post-hospital ADEs. The taxonomy and causes of post-hospital ADEs and related risk factors are reviewed, as we describe in high-risk older adults a population that may benefit from targeted interventions. Potential solutions and future research possibilities highlight the importance of interdisciplinary teams, involvement of clinical pharmacists, use of transitional care models, and improved use of informational technologies.