Programmatic Theme: Translational Bioinformatics

Abstract: Early detection of subtle changes in a patient’s condition is critical to patient safety. Houston Methodist Hospital conducted a unit-randomized controlled study applying nursing protocols for patient surveillance using the Rothman Index, an EMR-based measure of patient acuity. The study showed a 32% reduction in risk-adjusted mortality. A post-study review of data following hospital-wide implementation showed a 25% reduction in patients becoming highly acute, and a 16% mortality reduction in those that did.

Learning Objective: Understanding the nature of compensation vs. decompensation in the timeliness early warnings
Appreciation of the role of nursing protocols in modifying clinician behavior on a long-term basis

Authors:

Katherine Walsh, Houston Methodist Hospital
Belimat Askary, Houston Methodist Hospital
Shannan Hamlin, Houston Methodist Hospital
Michael Rothman (Presenter)
PeraHealth

Joseph Beals, PeraHealth