Effectively reducing amylase testing using computer order entry in the emergency department: quality improvement without eliminating physician choice

Background Amylase and lipase, pancreatic biomarkers, are measured in acute pancreatitis diagnosis. Since amylase testing does not add diagnostic value, lipase testing alone is recommended. Despite new recommendations, many physicians and staff continue to test both amylase and lipase. Objective To...

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Main Authors: Cassie Jaeger, Paul Sullivan, James Waymack, David Griffen Griffen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT 2017-10-01
Series:Journal of Innovation in Health Informatics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hijournal.bcs.org/index.php/jhi/article/view/907
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author Cassie Jaeger
Paul Sullivan
James Waymack
David Griffen Griffen
author_facet Cassie Jaeger
Paul Sullivan
James Waymack
David Griffen Griffen
author_sort Cassie Jaeger
collection DOAJ
description Background Amylase and lipase, pancreatic biomarkers, are measured in acute pancreatitis diagnosis. Since amylase testing does not add diagnostic value, lipase testing alone is recommended. Despite new recommendations, many physicians and staff continue to test both amylase and lipase. Objective To reduce unnecessary diagnostic testing in acute pancreatitis. Methods The pre-checked amylase test within the Emergency Department’s Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) abdominal pain order set was changed to an un-checked state, but kept as an option to order with a single click. Amylase testing, lipase testing and cost were measured for one year pre and post intervention. Results Simple de-selection intervention reduced redundant amylase testing from 71% to 9%, resulting in a percent of decrease of 87% and an annualized saving of approximately $719,000 in charges. Conclusion CPOE de-selection is an effective tool to reduce non-value added activity and reduce cost while maintaining quality patient care and physician choice.
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spelling doaj.art-d71d78c3e34940ad97d118dac784c0942022-12-22T00:42:56ZengBCS, The Chartered Institute for ITJournal of Innovation in Health Informatics2058-45552058-45632017-10-0124310.14236/jhi.v24i3.907831Effectively reducing amylase testing using computer order entry in the emergency department: quality improvement without eliminating physician choiceCassie Jaeger0Paul Sullivan1James Waymack2David Griffen Griffen3Southern Illinois University, School of Medicine, Center for Clinical Research, SpringfieldCLSSBB Laboratory Quality & Safety, Memorial Medical Center, SpringfieldDivision of Emergency Medicine, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, and Department of Emergency Medicine, Memorial Medical Center, SpringfieldDivision of Emergency Medicine, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, and Department of Emergency Medicine, Memorial Medical Center, SpringfieldBackground Amylase and lipase, pancreatic biomarkers, are measured in acute pancreatitis diagnosis. Since amylase testing does not add diagnostic value, lipase testing alone is recommended. Despite new recommendations, many physicians and staff continue to test both amylase and lipase. Objective To reduce unnecessary diagnostic testing in acute pancreatitis. Methods The pre-checked amylase test within the Emergency Department’s Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) abdominal pain order set was changed to an un-checked state, but kept as an option to order with a single click. Amylase testing, lipase testing and cost were measured for one year pre and post intervention. Results Simple de-selection intervention reduced redundant amylase testing from 71% to 9%, resulting in a percent of decrease of 87% and an annualized saving of approximately $719,000 in charges. Conclusion CPOE de-selection is an effective tool to reduce non-value added activity and reduce cost while maintaining quality patient care and physician choice.https://hijournal.bcs.org/index.php/jhi/article/view/907amylasecost analysiscomputerized physician order entry system
spellingShingle Cassie Jaeger
Paul Sullivan
James Waymack
David Griffen Griffen
Effectively reducing amylase testing using computer order entry in the emergency department: quality improvement without eliminating physician choice
Journal of Innovation in Health Informatics
amylase
cost analysis
computerized physician order entry system
title Effectively reducing amylase testing using computer order entry in the emergency department: quality improvement without eliminating physician choice
title_full Effectively reducing amylase testing using computer order entry in the emergency department: quality improvement without eliminating physician choice
title_fullStr Effectively reducing amylase testing using computer order entry in the emergency department: quality improvement without eliminating physician choice
title_full_unstemmed Effectively reducing amylase testing using computer order entry in the emergency department: quality improvement without eliminating physician choice
title_short Effectively reducing amylase testing using computer order entry in the emergency department: quality improvement without eliminating physician choice
title_sort effectively reducing amylase testing using computer order entry in the emergency department quality improvement without eliminating physician choice
topic amylase
cost analysis
computerized physician order entry system
url https://hijournal.bcs.org/index.php/jhi/article/view/907
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AT jameswaymack effectivelyreducingamylasetestingusingcomputerorderentryintheemergencydepartmentqualityimprovementwithouteliminatingphysicianchoice
AT davidgriffengriffen effectivelyreducingamylasetestingusingcomputerorderentryintheemergencydepartmentqualityimprovementwithouteliminatingphysicianchoice