Computerized patient record: are we prepared for our future practice?

To survey members of The American Dietetic Association (ADA) regarding care documentation systems, computerization of patient care records, and factors to be considered in developing a documentation system compatible with a computer-based patient record.

The survey instrument was developed in conjunction with a survey consultant/statistician, then mailed to the study sample.

The sample of 500 was drawn from three ADA dietetic practice groups expected to include a high percentage of clinical practitioners.

Basic frequency displays were used on all questionnaire items. Pearson correlation coefficients were used among numeric variables, and oneway analysis of variance was used for categoric variables with quantitative variables.

A total of 171 usable surveys were returned (34%), primarily from dietitians working in an acute-care inpatient environment. The SOAP format (subjective, objective, assessment, and plan) was used by 60% of respondents to document nutrition assessments, although a number of other documentation formats were reported. Most commonly used data in nutrition decision making were medical diagnosis, diet order, anthropometric data, and laboratory values. Most commonly used outcomes measures included laboratory values, tolerance of the nutrition regimen, weight changes, and intake changes. Only 15% of respondents reported that they currently used a computerized patient record. Ninety-three percent of respondents favored standardized nutrition diagnoses, and 95% believed standardized nutrition interventions would prove useful.

We recommend that dietitians evaluate, standardize, and streamline their documentation to prepare for implementation of computerized systems. The diagnoses and interventions presented in this study could be a starting point.