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Computer decision system aided detection of invasive fungal infections
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Implementation of a computer decision support system improved the accuracy in detecting invasive fungal infection risk in pediatric hematology/oncology patients, according to a recent study.
“The burden for patients and costs to healthcare facilities associated with invasive fungal infections emphasize the need for invasive fungal infection surveillance and rational use of antifungal agents in clinical practice,” Adam Bartlett, BSc, MBBS, of the department of infectious diseases at the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Australia, and colleagues wrote. “This study demonstrates the superiority of a computer decision support system-based antimicrobial stewardship program to capture invasive fungal infections in a pediatric hematology/oncology inpatient cohort compared with routine hospital diagnostic coding.”
The researchers studied a cohort of pediatric patients diagnosed with invasive fungal infections between 2012 and 2013, at a single pediatric hematology/oncology department. Patient’s medical records were used to test the accuracy of the computer decision support system, and compared to the results of diagnostic coding.
Study results showed that of the computer decision support system identified 83 patients that had to be treated with antifungals. Upon medical record review, the computer decision support system accurately identified 19 patients with invasive fungal infection, compared to 9 patients accurately diagnosed using diagnostic coding. Furthermore, all of the patients identified by diagnostic coding were also identified by the computer decision support system.
The researchers emphasized that prescriber engagement is crucial to the successful functioning of the computer decision support system.
“Based on antifungal indications for approval, the computer decision support system appropriately captured 89% of patients with a confirmed invasive fungal infection,” Bartlett and colleagues wrote. “If conducted in a prospective and routine manner, accurate real-time capturing of antifungal use and invasive fungal infection surveillance through a computer decision support system may be feasible.”– by David Costill
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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