The impact of an electronic medical record surveillance program on outcomes for patients with sepsis

Laura McRee, Joanne L. Thanavaro, Karen Moore, Melissa Goldsmith, Alice Pasvogel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of this EMR surveillance on sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock outcomes in patients admitted to a medical telemetry unit, including length of hospital stay, patient discharge and mortality. Methods: A retrospective review of pre- and post-implementation of a pilot electronic medical record (EMR) sepsis surveillance. Results: Implementing EMR sepsis surveillance significantly improved home discharge (49.0% versus 25.3%, p<.05) and reduced hospital mortality (1.0% versus 9.3%, p<.05). Although there was no difference in the length of hospital stay for the whole group, patients in the surveillance group who triggered an alert on the EMR surveillance had a decreased length of hospital stay compared to those without an alert (7.2±4.2 versus 11.6±9.4 days, p<.05). Conclusion: These results offer promising evidence that the use of an EMR sepsis surveillance alert could decrease the ravishing effects of sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock by early identification and treatment.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)546-549
Number of pages4
JournalHeart and Lung
Volume43
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Electronic medical record
  • Mortality
  • Sepsis
  • Sepsis campaign
  • Sepsis surveillance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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