Electronic interface for emergency department management of asthma: A randomized control trial of clinician performance

Authors: Taylor, Ben¹; Dinh, Michael; Kwok, Raymond²; Dinh, David³; Chu, Matthew⁴; Tang, Eric⁵

Source: Emergency Medicine Australasia, Volume 20, Number 1, February 2008 , pp. 38-44(7)

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Abstract:

Objectives:

To evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated and dynamic electronic decision support system for management of acute asthma in the ED. Methods:

A randomized trial was conducted comparing clinician performance using this electronic interface compared with paper documentation in a simulation scenario. The outcomes were documentation of asthma-related information and consultation times. Results:

Use of this electronic interface was associated with significantly higher rates of documentation in 7 out of 10 variables, including provision of written short-term asthma management plans. After adjustment for participant seniority, there was no significant difference in consultation times. Conclusion:

In a simulation trial, use of this electronic interface was associated with improvements in clinical and discharge documentation. Further studies are required to test this prototype in clinical practice.

Keywords: asthma; electronic interface; emergency department

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-6723.2007.01040.x

Affiliations: 1: Emergency Department, St Thomas Hospital, London, UK; and 2: Emergency Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 3: OsTechnology, 4: Emergency Department, Canterbury Hospital, 5: Clinical School, Concord Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Publication date: 2008-02-01