Implementation of Health Information Technology to Maximize Efficiency of Resource Utilization in a Geographically Dispersed Prenatal Care Delivery System

Marlo Baker Cochran; Russell R. Snyder; Elizabeth Thomas; Daniel H. Freeman; Gary D.V. Hankins

doi:10.1055/s-0031-1285102

American Journal of Perinatology, Table of Contents

Am J Perinatol 2012; 29(04): 251-258
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1285102

Original Article

Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Implementation of Health Information Technology to Maximize Efficiency of Resource Utilization in a Geographically Dispersed Prenatal Care Delivery System

Marlo Baker Cochran

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

,

Russell R. Snyder

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

,

Elizabeth Thomas

³Anita Thigpen Perry School of Nursing, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas

,

Daniel H. Freeman

²Office of Biostatistics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

,

Gary D.V. Hankins

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

This study investigated the utilization of health information technology (HIT) to enhance resource utilization in a geographically dispersed tertiary care system with extensive outpatient and delivery services. It was initiated as a result of a systems change implemented after Hurricane Ike devastated southeast Texas. A retrospective database and electronic medical record review was performed, which included data collection from all patients evaluated 18 months prior (epoch I) and 18 months following (epoch II) the landfall of Hurricane Ike. The months immediately following the storm were omitted from the analysis, allowing time to establish a new baseline. We analyzed a total of 21,201 patients evaluated in triage at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Epoch I consisted of 11,280 patients and epoch II consisted of 9922 patients. Using HIT, we were able to decrease the number of visits to triage while simultaneously managing more complex patients in the outpatient setting with no clinically significant change in maternal or fetal outcome. This study developed an innovated model of care using constrained resources while providing quality and safety to our patients without additional cost to the health care delivery system.

Keywords

health information technology - electronic medical record - systems change

Full Text

References

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