End user information needs for a SMART on FHIR-based automated transfer form to support the care of nursing home patients during emergency department visits.

Overview

Nursing home (NH) patients are extensive users of emergency department (ED) services. Problematically, poor information sharing and incomplete access to information complicates the delivery of care in EDs for NH patients. Paper-based transfer forms can support information sharing, but have significant limitations. Standards-based automated transfer-forms that leverage health information exchange data may address the limitations of paper-based forms and better support care delivery. This study developed a prototype SMART on FHIR automated transfer form for NH patients using priority data elements identified through individual interviews, a review of existing transfer forms, a targeted survey of end users, and a design workshop. Analyses were grounded in the 5 Rights of clinical decision support framework. The most valuable data elements included: emergency contact/healthcare proxy, current medication list, reason for transfer to the ED, baseline neurological state, and relevant diagnoses / medical history. The working prototype was successfully deployed within an Amazon Web Service environment.