Impact of an Integrated Electronic Health Record Protocol on Inferior Vena Cava Filter Retrieval Attempt Rates: An...

Area of Science:

• Medical Devices
• Health Informatics
• Interventional Radiology

Background:

• Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are used to prevent pulmonary embolism.
• Low retrieval rates for IVC filters pose a risk to patient safety.
• Improving IVC filter retrieval is a clinical priority.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of an electronic health record (EHR) prompt on IVC filter retrieval rates.
• To compare retrieval rates before and after protocol implementation.
• To analyze retrieval rates by indication (medical vs. trauma).

Main Methods:

• Retrospective comparative cohort study at a tertiary care center.
• Inclusion of adult patients with IVC filters placed before and after EHR prompt implementation.
• Comparison of IVC filter retrieval attempt rates overall and by indication.

Main Results:

• The overall attempted retrieval rate increased by 11.4% after EHR prompt implementation (P=.012).
• For medical indications, retrieval rates rose from 56.2% to 76.0% (P=.001).
• Retrieval rates for trauma indications remained similar between groups (P=.594).

Conclusions:

• An automated EHR prompt significantly improves IVC filter retrieval rates, particularly for medical indications.
• The EHR prompt facilitates timely scheduling, enhancing patient safety.
• Prior interventions may explain the lack of change in trauma patient retrieval rates.