P023 Direct transmission of HLA report to electronic medical record via cold feed interface

Abstract

Aim Direct transmission of patient results via an interface from HLA database to hospital electronic medical record (EMR) eliminates redundant data entry. Transmission capability can be expanded from “discrete” data to “non-discrete” data, such as pdf-formatted reports that allows incorporation of images, figures, and tables. We used COLD Feed (Computer Output to Laser Disc, GE Healthcare) and achieved direct transmission of pdf-formatted patient’s reports from HLA database to EMR. COLD Feed is an interface that uses Health Level 7 (HL7) standardized protocol to transfer clinical and administrative data between software applications, including EMR by major vendors. Method We used HistoTrac (SystemLink,Inc.) as a HLA database software and PowerChart (Cerner Corp) which is our hospital EMR. HLA report (pdf-format) was generated by HistoTrac upon result review. Sign-off of each report triggers assignment of a unique file name (pdf) and transmission to a shared folder. The pdf file name consists of a sequence of numbers and letters which consists of patient’s medical record number (MRN), occasion of service number (OOS) that specifies each hospital visit, shared file name, sample date, sign-out date and time. COLD feed searches the shared file every minute, finds reports, and automatically transmits to each patient’s EMR at a specific location, using sample information that are embedded in a file name. Results We validated direct transmission of HLA report via COLD feed. Based on Donor/Patient and transplant types, pdf- report contents were selected to include HLA typing (high or low resolution), ambiguity strings, %PRA, HLA antibody specificity, chimerism results, platelet glycoprotein antibody, and disclaimers. Regardless of report types, typical reporting process consists of report generation (1–3 min), tech review (1–5 min), director review (1–5 min), and report transmission via COLD feed to EMR (2–5 min). Conclusion Direct transmission of pdf-report to EMR via COLD feed significantly improved the reporting process, by ability to transmit combinations of various results (typing, antibody, chimerism % donor, etc) in one report, elimination of redundant manual entry, and quick direct uploading to EMR.