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Using computerized data to identify adverse drug events in outpatients

Authors

Honigman B, Lee J, Rothschild J, Light P, Pulling RM, Yu T, Bates DW

Journal

J Am Med Inform Assoc

Publication Date

2001 May-Jun

Volume

Issue

Pages

254-66

HIT Description: electronic health record named the Brigham Integrated Computer System More info...
Purpose of Study: Identify outpatient adverse drug events.
Years of study: 1995-1996
Study Design: Cohort
Outcomes: Frequencies of adverse drug events.

Summary:

Settings: The primary care physician workplaces affiliated with Brigham and Women's Hospital, which is a 667-bed facility delivering primary, secondary and tertiary care. Approximately 170 clinicians work as primary care physicians in various clinics in the hospital and community.
Description: A computer program that used ICD-9 codes, allergy rules, computer-event monitoring rules, and automated chart review to identify possible adverse drug events.
Clinical Outcomes: During the study period, 15,665 patients accounted for 88,514 visits. The computer program identified 864 adverse drug events for an ADE rate of 5.5 per 100 patients per year. Hospitalization was required for 79 patients, or about 9% of outpatient ADEs. The computer program was estimated to have a sensitivity for identifying ADEs of 58% and a specificity of 88%.

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