Platforms Designed for Information Sharing Among Providers Improved Electronic Health Record Use

AHRQ-funded researchers have concluded that a “social knowledge network” can improve providers’ use of electronic health record medication reconciliation technology. Social knowledge networks are learning platforms that enable providers in diverse subgroups and care settings to exchange information about patient care. The network studied in this research consisted of email updates, a discussion forum, a reporting tool and learning sessions used across inpatient and outpatient settings. Researchers found the platform improved measures of meaningful use of electronic health record medication reconciliation technology and concluded that a social knowledge network helps identify strategies for creating learning health systems. Access an abstract of the article in the Journal of Healthcare Leadership.

2019 Mar 29;11:23-41. doi: 10.2147/JHL.S198951. eCollection 2019.

A qualitative study of interprofessional learning related to electronic health record (EHR) medication reconciliation within a social knowledge networking (SKN) system.

Rangachari P1, Dellsperger KC2, Rethemeyer RK3.

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Abstract

Background: Similar to issues faced in health systems across the USA, AU Health faced a scenario of low physician engagement in and limited use of its Electronic Health Record (EHR) Medication Reconciliation (MedRec) technology, which translated to high rates of medication discrepancies and low accuracy of the patient's active medication list, during transitions of care. In fall 2016, a 2-year research grant was secured to pilot a Social Knowledge Networking (SKN) system on "EHR MedRec" to enable AU Health to progress from "limited use" of EHR MedRec technology to "meaningful use." Purpose: The aims of this study were to 1) examine dynamics of interprofessional knowledge exchange and learning related to EHR MedRec on the SKN system and 2) explore associations between "SKN Use" and "Meaningful Use (MU) of EHR MedRec," with the latter being assessed in terms of adherence to best practices in EHR MedRec. Methods:Over a 1-year period, 50 SKN Users (practitioners from inpatient and outpatient medicine settings), participated in discussing issues related to EHR MedRec, moderated by five SKN Moderators (senior administrators). Qualitative analysis was used to understand dynamics of interprofessional knowledge exchange and descriptive analysis was used to examine trends in two measures of MU of EHR MedRec, identified for the study. Results: Interprofessional knowledge exchanges related to EHR MedRec on the SKN system, progressed from "problem statements" to "problem-solving statements" to "IT system education" to "best-practice assertions" to "culture change assertions" to "collective learning (aha) moments" to lay a foundation for practice change. These interprofessional learning dynamics were associated with distinct improvement trends in both measures of MU of EHR MedRec technology. Conclusion: Results suggest that an SKN system could be a valuable tool in enabling MU of EHR MedRec technology. The study helps identify strategies for the creation of "learning health systems," to enable successful change implementation in healthcare organizations.