Community clinical data exchange for emergency medicine patients

AMIA Annu Symp Proc. 2003:2003:235-8.

Abstract

Little is known about the opportunities for a community clinical data exchange network to influence patient care. Rates of patient "cross-over" among different institutions can provide one estimate of the additional value such systems have over unconnected, independent institutional electronic medical records. The Indiana Network for Patient Care (INPC) represents such a system, involving a collaboration of central Indiana hospitals to improve patient care. During a one year study period, 288,696 patients made 471,640 Emergency Department (ED) visits within the INPC collaboration -- accounting for 92% of all Indianapolis ED visits. Overall 25% of the patients with more than one visit also visited one of the other five hospital systems, accounting for 19% of all visits. Our results help clarify the expected frequency within one large metropolitan area that ED patients could obtain direct benefit from a community clinical data exchange network.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Community Networks*
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Indiana
  • Medical Record Linkage*
  • Medical Records Systems, Computerized / organization & administration*
  • Regional Medical Programs / organization & administration*