Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: Objective To understand whether hospitals had electronic access to information needed to treat COVID-19 patients and identify factors contributing to differences in information availability. Materials and methods Using 2021 data from the American Hospital Association IT Supplement, we produced national estimates on the electronic availability of information needed to treat COVID-19 at US non-federal acute care hospitals (N = 1976) and assessed differences in information availability by hospital characteristics and engagement in interoperable exchange. Results In 2021, 38% of hospitals electronically received information needed to effectively treat COVID-19 patients. Information availability was significantly higher among higher-resourced hospitals and those engaged in interoperable exchange (44%) compared to their counterparts. In adjusted analyses, hospitals engaged in interoperable exchange were 140% more likely to receive needed information electronically compared to those not engaged in exchange (relative risk [RR]=2.40, 95% CI, 1.82-3.17, P<.001). System member hospitals (RR = 1.62, 95% CI, 1.36-1.92, P<.001) and major teaching hospitals (RR = 1.35, 95% CI, 1.10-1.64, P=.004) were more likely to have information available; for-profit hospitals (RR = 0.14, 95% CI, 0.08-0.24, P<.001) and hospitals in high social deprivation areas (RR = 0.83, 95% CI, 0.71-0.98, P = .02) were less likely to have information available. Discussion Despite high rates of hospitals’ engagement in interoperable exchange, hospitals’ electronic access to information needed to support the care of COVID-19 patients was limited. Conclusion Limited electronic access to patient information from outside sources may impede hospitals’ ability to effectively treat COVID-19 and support patient care during public health emergencies.
Source: JAMIA Open
Language: English
Subfield: Health Information Management
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,333
OpenAlex ID: W4388893411