Improving implementation and team communication by integrating a cystic fibrosis transition readiness (CF R.I.S.E.) program into electronic health records

Background: The cystic fibrosis (CF) Responsibility. Independence. Self-care. Education. (R.I.S.E.) program was developed to provide assessment and education, supporting transition readiness for people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). Lack of integration within electronic health records (EHR) was a barrier to implementation of CF R.I.S.E. University of Michigan was able to integrate CF R.I.S.E. into EHR.

Aim: To improve implementation and EHR documentation of CF R.I.S.E. module completion by pwCF across two (CF) programs from baseline (10.5%) to 75% per month in 6 months (January through June 2023).

Methods: Two CF programs utilized quality improvement (QI) methods and tools and ad hoc support by a CF Learning Network (QI) specialist. Eligibility included pwCF ≥16 years old seen in CF clinics who accepted CF R.I.S.E.

Participation: Beginning January 2, 2023, programs met in biweekly, virtual meetings to discuss implementation. Deidentified data were collected monthly tracking modules completed by pwCF and number of team members engaging with CF R.I.S.E. and documenting in EHR. Data timelines were baseline (November-December 2022), project period (January-June 2023), and post-project (July-December 2023).

Results: Completion rates increased from baseline (10.5%) to 48% (range 33% to 81%) through December 2023. During the project, an average 7.7 team members completed an average 19.2 modules per month. Post-project, an average 8 team members completed an average 16.5 modules per month.

Conclusions: This collaboration demonstrated how utilization of EHR allowed for successful CF R.I.S.E. improvement at both programs. Shared software utilization and QI initiatives may be a way to facilitate timely dissemination of best practices through learning health systems.