System analysis and improvement in the process of transplant patient care

Clinical information concerning transplant patients is voluminous and difficult to manage using paper records. A system analysis was performed to assess information system needs of the liver, kidney, and pancreas transplant program at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. After evaluating workflow, decision support needs, and requirements, we designed and implemented an extendable information system to support care following liver transplantation. We developed and implemented a standardized operative note, forms to enter external laboratory results and transplant-related information into the electronic health record, and computerized alerts to notify the transplant nurses when liver transplant patients had new, abnormal, or overdue laboratory results. The information system has improved the quality of clinical data available in the EHR, clinician satisfaction, and efficiency with management of laboratory results. The components developed for this project can be extended to meet other transplant program needs.