Sharing adverse drug event data using business intelligence technology.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Introduction

Duke University Health System uses computerized adverse drug event surveillance as an integral part of medication safety at 2 community hospitals and an academic medical center. This information must be swiftly communicated to organizational patient safety stakeholders to find opportunities to improve patient care; however, this process is encumbered by highly manual methods of preparing the data.

Description of case

Following the examples of other industries, we deployed a business intelligence tool to provide dynamic safety reports on adverse drug events. Once data were migrated into the health system data warehouse, we developed census-adjusted reports with user-driven prompts. Drill down functionality enables navigation from aggregate trends to event details by clicking report graphics. Reports can be accessed by patient safety leadership either through an existing safety reporting portal or the health system performance improvement Web site.

Discussion

Elaborate prompt screens allow many varieties of reports to be created quickly by patient safety personnel without consultation with the research analyst. The reduction in research analyst workload because of business intelligence implementation made this individual available to additional patient safety projects thereby leveraging their talents more effectively.

Conclusions

Dedicated liaisons are essential to ensure clear communication between clinical and technical staff throughout the development life cycle. Design and development of the business intelligence model for adverse drug event data must reflect the eccentricities of the operational system, especially as new areas of emphasis evolve. Future usability studies examining the data presentation and access model are needed.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Horvath, MM; Cozart, H; Ahmad, A; Langman, MK; Ferranti, J

Published Date

  • March 2009

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 5 / 1

Start / End Page

  • 35 - 41

PubMed ID

  • 19920438

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1549-8425

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 1549-8417

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1097/pts.0b013e31819aa951

Language

  • eng