Computerized reminders to improve isolation rates of patients with drug-resistant infections: design and preliminary results.

Kho A, Dexter P, Warvel J, Commiskey M, Wilson S, McDonald CJ

AMIA Annu Symp Proc. 2005:390-4.

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Abstract:

Infections with multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) are a steadily increasing threat to inpatients as they move through the hospital. We constructed a computerized reminder system, integrated with existing data sources maintained by the infection control service. We tested the hypothesis that computerized reminders from a centralized infection control expert system can improve rates of barrier isolation in patients with MDROs. Immediately after institution of this reminder system, isolation of eligible ward patients increased from a baseline rate of 33% to 95% (p<0.0001). The median time to isolation decreased from 16.6 hours to 0 hours, indicating that the majority of patients post-intervention had isolation orders written prior to arrival on the ward. We conclude that a computerized reminder system can dramatically increase the clinical impact of data sources maintained by hospital Infection Control services.

Kho A, Dexter P, Warvel J, Commiskey M, Wilson S, McDonald CJ. Computerized reminders to improve isolation rates of patients with drug-resistant infections: design and preliminary results. 
AMIA Annu Symp Proc. 2005:390-4.

PMID | PMCID