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The Effectiveness of Implementing an Electronic Health Record on Diabetes Care and Outcomes

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of electronic health record (EHR) implementation on primary care diabetes care. DATA SOURCES: Charts were abstracted semi-annually for 14,051 diabetes patients seen in 34 primary care practices in a large, fee-for-service network from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2010. The study sample was limited to patients aged 40 years or older. STUDY DESIGN: A naturalistic experiment in which GE Centricity Physician Office-EMR 2005 was rolled out over a staggered 3-year schedule. DATA COLLECTION: Chart audits were conducted using the AMA/Physician Consortium Adult Diabetes Measure set. The primary outcome was the HealthPartners' "optimal care" measure: HbA1c ≤ 8 percent; LDL cholesterol < 100 mg/dl; blood pressure < 130/80 mmHg; not smoking; and documented aspirin use in patients ≥ 40 years of age. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: After adjusting for patient age, sex, and insulin use, patients exposed to the EHR were significantly more likely to receive "optimal care" when compared with unexposed patients (p < .001), with an estimated difference of 9.20 percent (95% CI: 6.08, 12.33) in the final year between exposed patients and patients never exposed. Components of the optimal care bundle showing positive improvement after adjustment were systolic blood pressure <80 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure <130 mmHg, aspirin prescription, and smoking cessation. Among patients exposed to EHR, all process and outcome measures except HbA1c and lipid control showed significant improvement. CONCLUSION: Implementation of a commercially available EHR in primary care practice may improve diabetes care and clinical outcomes.

Source: Health Services Research

DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2011.01370.x