MONTRÉAL (October 19, 2015)- Researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine found significant reductions in central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) and surgical intensive care unit (SICU) mortality rates after implementation of electronic health records (EHR). The study found no significant impact on length of stay, Clostridium. difficile colitis rates, or readmission rates after adoption of an EHR system.
The retrospective chart review recorded quality indicators for patients admitted to ICU care over a period of 2 years. The rate of CLABSI per 1,000 catheter days was 85% lower, and overall SICU mortality was 28% lower. EHR implementation also resulted in a significant increase in the average number of coded diagnoses from 17.8 to 20.8.
"Considering the large investment into EHRs and the high cost associated with ICU care, it's important to develop EHRs that improve ICU quality of care," said Mark J. Rosen, MD, Master FCCP, CHEST Medical Director.
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Further results will be shared during CHEST 2015 on Wednesday, October 28, at 1:30 PM at Palais des congrès de Montréal in the Exhibit Hall. The study abstract can be viewed on the CHEST website.
CHEST Annual Meeting 2015 is the 81st annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians, held October 24-28, 2015, in Montréal, Canada. The American College of Chest Physicians, publisher of the journal CHEST, is the global leader in advancing best patient outcomes through innovative chest medicine education, clinical research, and team-based care. Its mission is to champion the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases through education, communication, and research. It serves as an essential connection to clinical knowledge and resources for its 18,700 members from around the world who provide patient care in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. For more information about CHEST 2015, visit http://chestmeeting.chestnet.org, or follow the CHEST meeting hashtag, #CHEST2015, on social media.