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Streamlining data collection for spine-related quality of life may improve registry performance
Researchers of this literature review found a systematic approach to collecting spine-related quality of life data within electronic health records, without the need for dual data entry, can streamline the process and provide distinct advantages.
The literature review included a combination of quality of life (QoL) assessments, consisting of the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 and -9, the Oswestry Disability Index, Neck Disability Index and VAS for pain, which were used to provide an assessment of QoL following spine surgery. Researchers developed a clinical dashboard to track 25 patient variables. The metrics were incorporated into the standard clinic workflow by a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, health care information technology specialists and advance practice providers.
Researchers created the integrated QoL capture, and three spine surgeons instituted it in a tertiary care academic center. In the 12 months prior to its integration, the academic center treated 806 patients, with each visit taking an average of 127.9 ± 51.5 minutes. Twelve months after integration, the center treated 1,013 new patients, with 791 patients providing QoL measures and each visit taking an average of 117 ± 45.7 minutes. Initially, data was collected through paper forms, but an online portal was created for electronic data capture and used as a part of the patient rooming process.
“We developed and implemented an [electronic health record] EHR-based spine patient registry to collect clinical and QoL metrics. The combination of QoL capture and a standardization of clinic throughput led to an overall decrease in new patient clinic visit length with addition of QoL questionnaire recording,” researchers wrote in their study. – by Robert Linnehan
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.