RADARx: Recognizing, Assessing, and Documenting Adverse Rx events.
BACKGROUND
Adverse events are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Adverse Drug Events (ADEs) are frequent, under-reported, costly, and largely preventable. Computerized tools expose effectively ADEs and can reduce their impact.


METHODS
RADARx is a Veterans Administration (VA) VistA-compatible M software program that integrates computerized ADE screening, probability assessment, documentation, and reporting capabilities. Data dictionary mapping tools have enabled RADARx implementation at 3 sites. All RADARx alerts generated at VA Medical Center (VAMC) Nashville from 7/1/99 to 9/30/99 were evaluated.


RESULTS
Total ADEs documented using RADARx numbered 57. RADARx discovered 34 ADEs and 48 'potential' ADEs; 23 ADEs were found using traditional means. Overall, 11% of RADARx alerts were true positives. Pharmacist review of the 8-20 alerts generated daily costs between 10 and 30 minutes.
Brown
S
S
Veterans Affairs Medical Center Nashville and Veterans Integrated Service Network 9, USA.
Black
K
K
Mrochek
S
S
Wood
A
A
Bess
T
T
Cobb
J
J
Francis
J
J
D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D004360:Drug Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D012984:Software