Retinopathy of Prematurity—Using Electronic Medical Records to Efficiently Follow Patients at Multiple Hospitals

Abstract

Purpose: To report the use of a centralized electronic medical record (EMR) to provide timely retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening in a previously fragmented monitoring system in a standalone children’s hospital in Connecticut. Methods: A chart review of 306 visits for ROP screening in 3 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) over a time period of 24 months. Results: All infants born at <30 weeks gestational age or birth weight <1,500g (N = 107) at these NICUs were screened for ROP according to the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. Data was collected before the implementation of our centralized EMR list, during a transitional period, and once the list was established. Our analysis of the data found an improvement in delay of care from 16.85% to 10.83% of visits, and a decrease in number of visits done during off hours from 20.4% to 5% of visits. Conclusion: Our tool was a free and cost-efficient centralization of a once difficult-to-manage process for ROP screenings in Connecticut. The decrease in delay of care and improvement in physician scheduling will lead to better outcomes for our patients and better sustainability of practice for our providers.