A new sepsis surveillance program that leverages predictive analytics to improve clinical workflows has reduced sepsis-related mortality rates by nearly one-third, researchers say.
The key to the HIMSS Electronic Medical Records Implementation Model (EMRAM) is to assess clinician usage of EMR technology, patient engagement, and clinical outcomes to improve organizational outcomes.
Earlier this month, experts from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said at a quality conference that they would take a closer look at sepsis rates in nursing homes while continuing broader efforts to improve infection prevention.
Sepsis is a bloodstream infection caused by bacteria. Urinary tract infections are the most common source of infection in older adults.
According to the National Institutes of Health, nursing home residents are seven times more likely to suffer from severe sepsis than non-nursing facility residents. The agency announced that the mortality rate from severe sepsis in elderly people is up to 1.5 times higher than in younger people.
Sepsis lawsuits remain the leading cause of litigation against nursing homes.
This is a big reason why Duke Health's technology-driven sepsis surveillance program is gaining so much attention. At Duke University, the program is hospital-based but designed to improve outcomes for the entire patient population.
Machine learning within the system's EMR program is a framework for predictive analytics models that can be customized for individual patients, officials said.
Revalidating EMRAM helped Duke build Sepsis Watch, which Duke calls the world's first machine learning model for sepsis screening. Currently, the screening accuracy he claims is 93%. Meanwhile, Duke's sepsis misdiagnoses decreased by almost two-thirds.
Before the algorithm-driven system was devised, Duke Health had more than five times as many false alerts as positive alerts. Additionally, he determined that only 6.8% of patients tagged as having sepsis actually had sepsis.
as mac knights As previously reported, CMS is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Sepsis Alliance to develop further education on best practices for sepsis prevention, recognition, and treatment.
“What we really want to focus on in nursing homes is making sure the staff is well trained in identifying early sepsis before it becomes really serious,” said CMS Community Health. said Colleen Frye, director of the department. “As you know, sepsis is like a runaway train if you don't stop it early.”
She also recommends working with family members to explain sepsis, given that family members who are involved in care or who visit frequently may be the first to notice changes in a patient's condition. He said there is a possibility that the effects could be seen even at home.
