Development and Pilot Testing of Computerized Order Entry Algorithms for Geriatric Problems in Nursing Homes

OBJECTIVES: To develop order entry algorithms for five common nursing home problems and to test their acceptance, use, and preliminary effect on nine quality indicators and resource utilization. DESIGN: Pre–post, quasi-experimental study. SETTING: Two Department of Veterans Affairs nursing homes. PARTICIPANTS: Randomly selected residents (N=265) with one or more target conditions and 42 nursing home providers. INTERVENTION: Expert panels developed computerized order entry algorithms based on clinical practice guidelines. Each was displayed on a single screen and included an array of diagnostic and treatment options and means to communicate with the interdisciplinary team. MEASUREMENTS: Medical records were abstracted for the 6 months before and after deployment for quality indicators and resource utilization. RESULTS: Despite positive provider attitudes toward the computerized order entry algorithms, their use was infrequent and varied according to condition: falls (73.0%), fever (9.0%), pneumonia (8.0%), urinary tract infection (7.0%), and osteoporosis (3.0%). In subjects with falls, trends for improvements in quality measures were observed for six of the nine measures: measuring orthostatic blood pressure (17.5–30.0%, P=.29), reducing neuroleptics (53.8–75.0%, P=.27), reducing sedative-hypnotics (16.7–50.0%, P=.50), prescription of calcium (22.5–32.5%, P=.45), vitamin D (20.0–35.0%, P=.21), and external hip protectors (25.0–47.5%, P=.06). Little improvement was observed in the other conditions (documentation of vital signs, physical therapy referrals, or reduction of benzodiazepines or antidepressants). There was no change in resource utilization. CONCLUSION: Computerized order entry algorithms were used infrequently, except for falls. Further study may determine whether their use leads to improved care.