Proposed IT Solution Facilitates Information Exchange Between Acute and LTC Settings

A proof-of-concept information technology (IT) solution allows for bidirectional electronic health information exchange between acute and long-term care (LTC) facilities using disparate electronic health record (EHR) systems, according to a study published in JMIR Formative Research.

“Historically, the interoperability topic has centered on hospital-to-hospital data exchange, making it more challenging to evaluate the efficacy of data exchange between other care settings. In acute and LTC settings, there are differences in patients’ needs and delivery of care workflows that are distinctly unique,” wrote study author Madhu Gottumukkala, MBA, MS, of the Dakota State University College of Business and Information Systems in Madison, South Dakota.

The creators used a design science research framework to design and then test a solution for bidirectional information exchange at a health care organization with acute and LTC operations that use two different EHR systems. The resulting solution was able to integrate with both source systems and facilitate data exchange between the acute care site, which used an Epic EHR system, and the LTC site, which used a PointClickCare EHR system.

The study focused on information exchange regarding patient medications. After medication data was successfully transferred, creators expanded the solution to include other data elements, such as allergies, problem lists, and diagnoses, according to the paper.

“This study demonstrates that the interoperability solution improves the information exchange between acute and LTC facilities by simplifying data transfer, eliminating manual processes, and reducing data discrepancies,” the author wrote.

Reference

Gottumukkala M. Design, development, and evaluation of an automated solution for electronic information exchange between acute and long-term postacute care facilities: design science research. JMIR Form Res. 2023;7:e43758. doi:10.2196/43758