Utilization of an electronic dashboard to improve health maintenance in veterans with IBD receiving biologic therapy

Globally, the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease increased by 47.5% between 1990 and 2019. Biologic medications are often used in moderate-to-severe cases of inflammatory bowel disease. These medications suppress the immune system, placing individuals at increased risk of infections, vitamin deficiencies, and other adverse outcomes. This 12-week quality improvement project evaluated the use of an electronic dashboard to improve rates of health maintenance activities in patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease receiving biologic therapies utilizing a Plan-Do-Study-Act design. Baseline data showed laboratory monitoring at 67%, bone density testing at 46%, tuberculosis screening at 54%, and pneumococcal vaccination at 33%. The rate of influenza vaccination for the previous season was 63%. Postimplementation, increases in rates of all five health maintenance activities were seen, with laboratory monitoring at 96%, bone density testing at 96%, tuberculosis screening at 96%, pneumococcal vaccination at 78%, and influenza vaccination at 78%. The care of patients with inflammatory bowel disease is complex and requires commitment from medical professionals to provide up-to-date care. Electronic dashboards can assist with providing this type of care.