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BackgroundComputerized physician order entry and clinical decision support systems are electronic prescribing strategies that are increasingly used to improve patient safety. Previous reviews show limited effect on patient outcomes. Our objective was to assess the impact of electronic prescribing strategies on medication errors and patient harm in hospitalized patients.MethodsMEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and CINAHL were searched from January 2007 to January 2018. We included prospective studies that compared hospital-based electronic prescribing strategies with control, and reported on medication error or patient harm. Data were abstracted by two reviewers and pooled using random effects model. Study quality was assessed using the Effective Practice and Organisation of Care and evidence quality was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation.ResultsThirty-eight studies were included; comprised of 11 randomized control trials and 27 non-randomized interventional studies. Electronic prescribing strategies reduced medication errors (RR 0.24 (95% CI 0.13, 0.46), I2 98%, n = 11) and dosing errors (RR 0.17 (95% CI 0.08, 0.38), I2 96%, n = 9), with both risk ratios significantly affected by advancing year of publication. There was a significant effect of electronic prescribing strategies on adverse drug events (ADEs) (RR 0.52 (95% CI 0.40, 0.68), I2 0%, n = 2), but not on preventable ADEs (RR 0.55 (95% CI 0.30, 1.01), I2 78%, n = 3), hypoglycemia (RR 1.03 (95% CI 0.62-1.70), I2 28%, n = 7), length of stay (MD - 0.18 (95% - 1.42, 1.05), I2 94%, n = 7), or mortality (RR 0.97 (95% CI 0.79, 1.19), I2 74%, n = 9). The quality of evidence was rated very low.DiscussionElectronic prescribing strategies decrease medication errors and adverse drug events, but had no effect on other patient outcomes. Conservative interpretations of these findings are supported by significant heterogeneity and the preponderance of low-quality studies.

Diagnostic criteria for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis should be reviewed early in critically ill patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis, multisystem dysfunction, and a deteriorating clinical trajectory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the rate of interhospital emergency transport for bronchiolitis and intensive care admission following the introduction of high flow nasal cannula and standardised paediatric observation and response charts. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: A statewide paediatric intensive care transport service and its two referral paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in Victoria, Australia. Participants: Children less than 2 years old emergently transported with bronchiolitis during two time periods: 2008-2012 and 2015-2019. Main outcome measures: Incidence rates of bronchiolitis transport episodes, PICU admissions and respiratory support. Results: 802 children with bronchiolitis were transported during the study period, 233 in the first period (2008-2012) and 569 in the second period (2015-2019). The rate of interhospital transport for bronchiolitis increased from 32.9 to 71.8 per 100 000 children aged 0-2 years. The population-adjusted rate of PICU admission increased from 16.2 to 36.6 per 100 000 children aged 0-2 years. Metropolitan hospitals were the predominant referral source and this increased from 60.1% of transports to 78.6% ( P < 0.001). In children admitted to a PICU, the administration of high flow nasal cannula during transport increased significantly from 1.7% to 75.9% ( P < 0.001) and a concomitant reduction in continuous positive airway pressure and mechanical ventilation occurred (40-12.4% and 27-6.9% respectively; P < 0.001). The proportion of mechanical ventilation as well as PICU and hospital length of stay decreased over time. Conclusions: The population-adjusted rate of interhospital transport and admission to the PICU for bronchiolitis increased over time. This occurred despite a lower rate of non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation during transport and in the PICU., Competing Interests: No relevant disclosures., (© 2021 College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand.)