Increasing Oncologist Notifications of Patient Admissions: A Quality Improvement Project
Abstract
ABSTRACT
There is little research regarding improving and closing communication gaps between hospitalists and a patient’s primary oncologist. Oncology patients frequently develop long-standing relationships with their oncologists and place a large amount of trust in them. Effective communication between patients and providers results in better adherence to treatment plans as well as increased patient satisfaction and outcomes.The purpose of this QI project was to increase utilization of the electronic medical record (EMR) notification system for oncology patients who have active chemotherapy treatment plans and increase oncologist satisfaction with the notification. The previously unused provider notification tool was activated in each patient’s chart to ensure that oncologists received EMR inbox messages when one of their patients was admitted. Weekly chart reviews of hospitalized oncology patients were conducted to evaluate if each patient’s primary oncologist had been notified of his/her hospital admission. By the end of the implementation period, the notification tool was used 75% of the time. Of the 6 oncologists who responded to the post-implementation survey, 100% stated the notification system improved their communication with the inpatient providers and 100% said that the notifications also improved patient care. Using a system such as automated EMR inbox messages can have a positive impact on patient and provider communication and also improve provider satisfaction.
There is little research regarding improving and closing communication gaps between hospitalists and a patient’s primary oncologist. Oncology patients frequently develop long-standing relationships with their oncologists and place a large amount of trust in them. Effective communication between patients and providers results in better adherence to treatment plans as well as increased patient satisfaction and outcomes.The purpose of this QI project was to increase utilization of the electronic medical record (EMR) notification system for oncology patients who have active chemotherapy treatment plans and increase oncologist satisfaction with the notification. The previously unused provider notification tool was activated in each patient’s chart to ensure that oncologists received EMR inbox messages when one of their patients was admitted. Weekly chart reviews of hospitalized oncology patients were conducted to evaluate if each patient’s primary oncologist had been notified of his/her hospital admission. By the end of the implementation period, the notification tool was used 75% of the time. Of the 6 oncologists who responded to the post-implementation survey, 100% stated the notification system improved their communication with the inpatient providers and 100% said that the notifications also improved patient care. Using a system such as automated EMR inbox messages can have a positive impact on patient and provider communication and also improve provider satisfaction.