Feasibility of computerized clinical decision support for pediatric to adult care transitions for patients with...

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Health Informatics
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Children with special healthcare needs require specialized care transitions to adult services.
• Effective referral processes are crucial for continuity of care.
• Existing transition protocols may not adequately address the needs of this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of a computerized clinical decision support (cCDS) tool for facilitating referrals.
• To improve the transition of care for adolescents and young adults with special healthcare needs to adult healthcare services.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a transition-specific cCDS in a general pediatrics setting.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a transition-specific cCDS tool in a tertiary care academic medical center's general pediatrics clinic.
• Retrospective analysis of provider responses to cCDS alerts and referral outcomes.
• Inclusion of patients aged 17-26 with specific diagnoses flagged by the cCDS.

Main Results:

• The cCDS tool was implemented and utilized over a 20-month observation period.
• Out of 152 patients identified, 87 were referred to the adult transition clinic (ATC) via the cCDS.
• A significant proportion (77%) of eligible patients aged 18 and older scheduled an ATC visit.

Conclusions:

• Transition-specific cCDS tools are a feasible and effective method for facilitating referrals to adult care.
• Implementing cCDS can improve the transition process for youth with special healthcare needs.
• This technology supports better continuity of care into adulthood.