EHR Triggers Identify Patients Needing Follow-Up for Cancer

Researchers found that triggers within an electronic health record (EHR) system can be used to identify potential delays in care for cancer patients. Their findings are published in the January 2014 BMJ Quality and Safety. The research team used retrospective data to create the triggers: lack of follow-up for an abnormal prostate-specific antigen level, a positive fecal occult blood test, iron-deficiency anemia, and hematochezia. They excluded patients not needing follow-up for terminal illness and those already receiving care.