PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Andrew J Zimolzak
AU  - Hardeep Singh
AU  - Daniel R Murphy
AU  - Li Wei
AU  - Sahar A Memon
AU  - Divvy K Upadhyay
AU  - Saritha Korukonda
AU  - Lisa Zubkoff
AU  - Dean F Sittig
TI  - Translating electronic health record-based patient safety algorithms from research to clinical practice at multiple sites
AID  - 10.1136/bmjhci-2022-100565
DP  - 2022 Jul 01
TA  - BMJ Health & Care Informatics
PG  - e100565
VI  - 29
IP  - 1
4099  - http://informatics.bmj.com/content/29/1/e100565.short
4100  - http://informatics.bmj.com/content/29/1/e100565.full
SO  - BMJ Health Care Inform2022 Jul 01; 29
AB  - Introduction Researchers are increasingly developing algorithms that impact patient care, but algorithms must also be implemented in practice to improve quality and safety.Objective We worked with clinical operations personnel at two US health systems to implement algorithms to proactively identify patients without timely follow-up of abnormal test results that warrant diagnostic evaluation for colorectal or lung cancer. We summarise the steps involved and lessons learned.Methods Twelve sites were involved across two health systems. Implementation involved extensive software documentation, frequent communication with sites and local validation of results. Additionally, we used automated edits of existing code to adapt it to sites’ local contexts.Results All sites successfully implemented the algorithms. Automated edits saved sites significant work in direct code modification. Documentation and communication of changes further aided sites in implementation.Conclusion Patient safety algorithms developed in research projects were implemented at multiple sites to monitor for missed diagnostic opportunities. Automated algorithm translation procedures can produce more consistent results across sites.All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information.