Using information technology to improve cancer care.

Abstract

322 Background: Since 1996, the U.S. federal government has passed several laws aimed at improving the health care system, specifically health care quality, safety, and efficiency. Among these laws is the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which mandates the adoption and meaningful use of information technology (IT) for clinical purposes. The HITECH Act further defines meaningful use objectives as Improving Quality, Safety, Efficiency; Engaging Patients and Families; Improving Care Coordination; Improving Public and Population Health; Ensuring Privacy and Security for Personal Health Information. To meet the adoption requirement, the University of New Mexico Hospital system implemented Powerchart by Cerner in 1999. In addition, the UNM Cancer Center (UNMCC) implemented MOSAIQ by Elektra in 2010. Both meet Meaningful Use requirements. This abstract describes how UNMCC improves clinical quality with these two IT systems. Methods: UNMCC uses Powerchart to capture patient data such as charting, medications and test results. MOSAIQ is used to manage the patients therapy orders. Because these IT systems capture all patient data and treatment plans, clinic physicians have access to all the information when making treatment decisions either in the clinic or in the hospital. Additionally, UNMCC uses continuous quality assessments to design appropriate clinical process interventions and to document safety and accuracy improvements in patient care. Results: In the 18 months since implementing both IT systems and continuous assessments, UNMCC can demonstrate the following improvements in quality of patient care: Fewer clinic errors in ordering lab tests, dispensing medication, billing, and modifying chemotherapy doses; Improved authorization processes with insurance providers, resulting in more timely consultations with patients; Optimization of molecular tests ordered and performed, resulting in cost savings; Reductions in staff and overhead. Conclusions: By using IT as part of its clinical quality systems, UNMCC has achieved overall improvements in patient care.