Quality improvement in preoperative assessment by implementation of an electronic decision support tool

The utility of website-based quality improvement tools for health professionals: a systematic review

As technology continues to advance, it is important to understand how website-based tools can support quality improvement. Website-based tools refer to resources such as toolkits that users can access and use autonomously through a dedicated website. This review examined how website-based tools can support healthcare professionals with quality improvement, including the optimal processes used to develop tools and the elements of an effective tool. A systematic search of seven databases was conducted to include articles published between January 2012 and January 2024. Articles were included if they were peer reviewed, written in English, based in health settings, and reported the development or evaluation of a quality improvement website-based tool for professionals. A narrative synthesis was conducted using NVivo. Risk of bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. All papers were independently screened and coded by two authors using a six-phase conceptual framework by Braun and Clarke. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Themes identified were tool development processes, quality improvement mechanisms and barriers and facilitators to tool usage. Digitalizing existing quality improvement processes (n = 7), identifying gaps in practice (n = 6), and contributing to professional development (n = 3) were common quality improvement aims. Tools were associated with the reported enhancement of accuracy and efficiency in clinical tasks, improvement in adherence to guidelines, facilitation of reflective practice, and provision of tailored feedback for continuous quality improvement. Common features were educational resources (n = 7) and assisting the user to assess current practices against standards/recommendations (n = 6), which supported professionals in achieving better clinical outcomes, increased professional satisfaction and streamlined workflow in various settings. Studies reported facilitators to tool usage including relevance to practice, accessibility, and facilitating multidisciplinary action, making these tools practical and time-efficient for healthcare. However, barriers such as being time consuming, irrelevant to practice, difficult to use, and lack of organizational engagement were reported. Almost all tools were co-developed with stakeholders. The co-design approaches varied, reflecting different levels of stakeholder engagement and adoption of co-design methodologies. It is noted that the quality of included studies was low. These findings offer valuable insights for future development of quality improvement website-based tools in healthcare. Recommendations include ensuring tools are co-developed with healthcare professionals, focusing on practical usability and addressing common barriers to enhance engagement and effectiveness in improving healthcare quality. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to provide objective evidence of tool efficacy.

Targets for De-implementation of Unnecessary Testing Before Low-Risk Surgery: A Qualitative Study

INTRODUCTION

Despite multispecialty recommendations to avoid routine preoperative testing before low-risk surgery, the practice remains common and de-implementation has proven difficult. The goal of this study as to elicit determinants of unnecessary testing before low-risk surgery to inform de-implementation efforts.

METHODS

We conducted focused ethnography at a large academic institution, including semi-structured interviews and direct observations at two preoperative evaluation clinics and one outpatient surgery center. Themes were identified through narrative thematic analysis and mapped to a comprehensive and integrated checklist of determinants of practice, the Tailored Implementation for Chronic Diseases framework (TICD).

RESULTS

Thirty individuals participated (surgeons, anesthesiologists, primary care physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and medical assistants). Three themes were identified: (1) Shared Values (TICD Social, Political, and Legal Factors), (2) Gaps in Knowledge (TICD Individual Health Professional Factors, Guideline Factors), and (3) Communication Breakdown (TICD Professional Interactions, Incentives and Resources, Capacity for Organizational Change). Shared Values describe core tenets expressed by all groups of clinicians, namely prioritizing patient safety and utilizing evidence-based medicine. Clinicians had Gaps in Knowledge related to existing data and preoperative testing recommendations. Communication Breakdowns within interdisciplinary teams resulted in unnecessary testing ordered to meet perceived expectations of other providers.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians have knowledge gaps related to preoperative testing recommendations and may be amenable to de-implementation efforts and educational interventions. Consensus guidelines may streamline interdisciplinary communication by clarifying interdisciplinary needs and reducing testing ordered to meet perceived expectations of other clinicians.

Preoperative investigations for elective surgical patients in a resource limited setting: Systematic review

Background

Preoperative investigation for surgical patients is important to check for conditions that may affect surgical outcome. It helps the anesthetist and surgeon to plan perioperative anesthesia and surgical management appropriately. However, 60-70% of laboratory tests before surgery are not really required. This review was conducted to develop evidence-based recommendations on preoperative investigations for patients waiting for surgery in a resource limited setting.

Methods

After formulating the key questions, scope, and eligibility criteria for the articles to be included, advanced search strategy of electronic sources from data bases and websites was conducted. Duplication of literatures was avoided by endnote. Screening of literatures was conducted with proper appraisal. This review was reported in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) 2020 statement.

Results

A total of 553 articles were identified from data bases and websites using an electronic search. 75 articles were removed for duplication and 223 studies were excluded after reviewing titles and abstracts. At the screening stage, 82 articles were retrieved and evaluated for eligibility. Finally, 46 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this systematic review.

Conclusion

and recommendation: Selective laboratory ordering reduces the number and cost of investigations. Preoperative tests should be guided by the patient's clinical history, co-morbidities, and physical examination. Patients with signs or symptoms of certain types of disease should be evaluated with appropriate testing. Therefore, adherence to recommendations of guidelines on preoperative investigation is important for good surgical outcome and patient satisfaction.

Interventions to reduce low-value imaging - a systematic review of interventions and outcomes

BACKGROUND

It is estimated that 20-50% of all radiological examinations are of low value. Many attempts have been made to reduce the use of low-value imaging. However, the comparative effectiveness of interventions to reduce low-value imaging is unclear. Thus, the objective of this systematic review was to provide an overview and evaluate the outcomes of interventions aimed at reducing low-value imaging.

METHODS

An electronic database search was completed in Medline - Ovid, Embase-Ovid, Scopus, and Cochrane Library for citations between 2010 and 2020. The search was built from medical subject headings for Diagnostic imaging/Radiology, Health service misuse or medical overuse, and Health planning. Keywords were used for the concept of reduction and avoidance. Reference lists of included articles were also hand-searched for relevant citations. Only articles written in English, German, Danish, Norwegian, Dutch, and Swedish were included. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to appraise the quality of the included articles. A narrative synthesis of the final included articles was completed.

RESULTS

The search identified 15,659 records. After abstract and full-text screening, 95 studies of varying quality were included in the final analysis, containing 45 studies found through hand-searching techniques. Both controlled and uncontrolled before-and-after studies, time series, chart reviews, and cohort studies were included. Most interventions were aimed at referring physicians. Clinical practice guidelines (n = 28) and education (n = 28) were most commonly evaluated interventions, either alone or in combination with other components. Multi-component interventions were often more effective than single-component interventions showing a reduction in the use of low-value imaging in 94 and 74% of the studies, respectively. The most addressed types of imaging were musculoskeletal (n = 26), neurological (n = 23) and vascular (n = 16) imaging. Seventy-seven studies reported reduced low-value imaging, while 3 studies reported an increase.

CONCLUSIONS

Multi-component interventions that include education were often more effective than single-component interventions. The contextual and cultural factors in the health care systems seem to be vital for successful reduction of low-value imaging. Further research should focus on assessing the impact of the context in interventions reducing low-value imaging and how interventions can be adapted to different contexts.

Role of a digital tool in preoperative lung resection surgery assessment

The assessment of patients likely to undergo lung resection surgery is a multidisciplinary approach involving pulmonologists, surgeons and anaesthesiologists. In thoracic surgery, medical operability is also a calculation of postoperative lung function. A mobile application – PreParAPP MSD – to calculate postoperative lung function has been developed with the endorsement of the Italian Society of Anaesthesia, Analgesia and Intensive Care and with the unconditional support of MSD Italia. Thanks to a simple graphic interface, the calculation becomes fast and intuitive, while the possibility of storing and sharing data in an analytical and computerised way with other clinicians might help with the full assessment of patients without forcing them to undergo several medical examinations. These simple calculated parameters are performed by a minority of clinicians, generally anaesthesiologists. In our facility, there is a team involved in the perioperative evaluation of lung resection surgery (13 pulmonologists, 9 surgeons and 5 anaesthesiologists). In order to evaluate the possible Awareness towards postoperative lung function calculation better, we organised an internal survey with 27 clinicians who are members of such a team before and after the introduction of the PreParAPP MSD. It was found that after the introduction of PreParAPP MSD, the percentage of clinicians involved in postoperative lung function calculation rose from 18% to 70%. The implementation of a digital tool may help to improve guideline adherence, in accordance with other experiences in which such tools represented the start for various quality improvement purposes throughout the medical field.

Preoperative Clinics

Preoperative evaluation clinics have been shown to enhance operating room efficiency, decrease day-of-surgery cancellations, reduce hospital costs, and improve the quality of patient care. Although programs differ in staffing, structure, financial support, and daily operations, they share the common goal of preoperative risk reduction in order for patients to proceed safely through the perioperative period. Effective preoperative evaluation occurs if processes are standardized to ensure clinical, regulatory, and accreditation guidelines are met while keeping medical optimization and patient satisfaction at the forefront. Although no universally accepted standard model exists, there are key components to a successful preoperative process.

Electronic health record-based interventions for improving appropriate diagnostic imaging: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

One driver of increasing health care costs is the use of radiologic imaging procedures. More appropriate use could improve quality and reduce costs.

PURPOSE

To review interventions that use the computerized clinical decision-support (CCDS) capabilities of electronic health records to improve appropriate use of diagnostic radiologic test ordering.

DATA SOURCES

English-language articles in PubMed from 1995 to September 2014 and searches in Web of Science and PubMed of citations related to key articles.

STUDY SELECTION

23 studies, including 3 randomized trials, 7 time-series studies, and 13 pre-post studies that assessed the effect of CCDS on diagnostic radiologic test ordering in adults.

DATA EXTRACTION

2 independent reviewers extracted data on functionality, study outcomes, and context and assessed the quality of included studies.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Thirteen studies provided moderate-level evidence that CCDS improves appropriateness (effect size, -0.49 [95% CI, -0.71 to -0.26]) and reduces use (effect size, -0.13 [CI, -0.23 to -0.04]). Interventions with a "hard stop" that prevents a clinician from overriding the CCDS without outside consultation, as well as interventions in integrated care delivery systems, may be more effective. Harms have rarely been assessed but include decreased ordering of appropriate tests and physician dissatisfaction.

LIMITATION

Potential for publication bias, insufficient reporting of harms, and poor description of context and implementation.

CONCLUSION

Computerized clinical decision support integrated with the electronic health record can improve appropriate use of diagnostic radiology by a moderate amount and decrease use by a small amount. Before widespread adoption can be recommended, more data are needed on potential harms.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42014007469).

Improving patient flow in pre-operative assessment

Annual patient attendances at a pre-operative assessment department increased by 24.8% from 5659 in 2009, to 7062 in 2012. The unit was staffed by administrative staff, nurses, and health care assistants (HCA). Medical review was accessed via on call medical staff, or notes were sent to anaesthetists for further review. With rising demand, patient waits increased. The average lead time for a patient (time from entering the department to leaving) was 79 minutes. 9.3% of patients attended within two weeks of their scheduled surgery date. 10% of patients were asked to return on a later day, as there was not sufficient capacity to undertake their assessment. There were nine routes of referral in to the department. Patients moved between different clinic rooms and the waiting area several times. Work patterns were uneven, as many attendances were from out-patient clinics which meant peak attendance times were linked to clinic times. There were substantial differences in the approaches of different nurses, making the HCA role difficult. Patients reported dissatisfaction with waits. Using a Lean quality improvement process with rapid PDSA cycles, the service changed to one in which patients were placed in a room, and remained there for the duration of their assessment. Standard work was developed for HCWs and nurses. Rooms were standardised using 5S processes, and set up improved to reduce time spent looking for supplies. A co-ordinator role was introduced using existing staff to monitor flow and to organise the required medical assessments and ECGs. Timing of booked appointments were altered to take account of clinic times. Routes in to the department were reduced from nine to one. Ten months after the work began, the average lead time had reduced to 59 minutes. The proportion of people attending within two weeks of their surgery decreased from 9.3% to 5.3%. Referrals for an anaesthetic opinion decreased from 30% to 20%, and in the month reviewed no one had to return to be seen as a result of limited capacity.

The effects of on-screen, point of care computer reminders on processes and outcomes of care

BACKGROUND

The opportunity to improve care by delivering decision support to clinicians at the point of care represents one of the main incentives for implementing sophisticated clinical information systems. Previous reviews of computer reminder and decision support systems have reported mixed effects, possibly because they did not distinguish point of care computer reminders from e-mail alerts, computer-generated paper reminders, and other modes of delivering 'computer reminders'.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects on processes and outcomes of care attributable to on-screen computer reminders delivered to clinicians at the point of care.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane EPOC Group Trials register, MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL and CENTRAL to July 2008, and scanned bibliographies from key articles.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Studies of a reminder delivered via a computer system routinely used by clinicians, with a randomised or quasi-randomised design and reporting at least one outcome involving a clinical endpoint or adherence to a recommended process of care.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently screened studies for eligibility and abstracted data. For each study, we calculated the median improvement in adherence to target processes of care and also identified the outcome with the largest such improvement. We then calculated the median absolute improvement in process adherence across all studies using both the median outcome from each study and the best outcome.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-eight studies (reporting a total of thirty-two comparisons) were included. Computer reminders achieved a median improvement in process adherence of 4.2% (interquartile range (IQR): 0.8% to 18.8%) across all reported process outcomes, 3.3% (IQR: 0.5% to 10.6%) for medication ordering, 3.8% (IQR: 0.5% to 6.6%) for vaccinations, and 3.8% (IQR: 0.4% to 16.3%) for test ordering. In a sensitivity analysis using the best outcome from each study, the median improvement was 5.6% (IQR: 2.0% to 19.2%) across all process measures and 6.2% (IQR: 3.0% to 28.0%) across measures of medication ordering. In the eight comparisons that reported dichotomous clinical endpoints, intervention patients experienced a median absolute improvement of 2.5% (IQR: 1.3% to 4.2%). Blood pressure was the most commonly reported clinical endpoint, with intervention patients experiencing a median reduction in their systolic blood pressure of 1.0 mmHg (IQR: 2.3 mmHg reduction to 2.0 mmHg increase).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Point of care computer reminders generally achieve small to modest improvements in provider behaviour. A minority of interventions showed larger effects, but no specific reminder or contextual features were significantly associated with effect magnitude. Further research must identify design features and contextual factors consistently associated with larger improvements in provider behaviour if computer reminders are to succeed on more than a trial and error basis.