Chemotherapy roadmaps in pediatric oncology: A digital electronic medical record integrated solution.

BACKGROUND

Delivery of antineoplastic regimens in the pediatric setting is facilitated by a paper roadmap. Paper roadmaps are the key safety tool required for safe ordering. Electronic medical record systems offer technological solutions for ordering antineoplastic regimens, however, do not offer a solution that integrates paper roadmaps digitally.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary project team implemented real-time clinician scanning of paper roadmaps into the electronic medical record.

RESULTS

The rate of missing roadmaps decreased from an average of 1.6 to 0.8 per week. Pharmacists gained 3 h of productivity daily. Providers spend an average of 35-45 s and a total of seven clicks each time a roadmap is scanned. Overall, the clinical systems analyst spent less than 1 h of total build time.

CONCLUSION

Implementing roadmap scanning decreased the rate of missing roadmaps, increased pharmacist productivity, and required a nominal amount of analyst and provider time. In addition, this solution allows for concurrent viewing of the roadmap files from any connected computer, facilitating an easier co-signature process for providers, pharmacists, and nurses.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

These results suggest that implementing real-time scanning of roadmaps can improve oncology care efficiency while maintaining the same safety rigor that paper roadmaps offer.