Responding to the rofecoxib withdrawal crisis: a new model for notifying patients at risk and their health care providers.
BACKGROUND
We decided to inform our patients of the withdrawal of rofecoxib, one of the largest drug withdrawals in United States history, and instruct them to contact their providers for guidance.


OBJECTIVE
To identify and inform patients and providers affected by the rofecoxib withdrawal.


METHODS
Descriptive observational study.


METHODS
Tertiary care center with an electronic medical record (EMR) system.


METHODS
Patients with an active rofecoxib prescription within the EMR.


METHODS
Existing information technology and traditional communication resources were used to automate the identifying and notifying of patients and providers and to deactivate rofecoxib prescriptions in the EMR.


METHODS
Characteristics of patients receiving rofecoxib at our institution, details of their prescription and provider, number of EMR alerts, and medication discontinuations.


RESULTS
The 11,699 patients with a rofecoxib prescription in our practice were sent notifications within 24 hours of the withdrawal.


CONCLUSIONS
We did not directly measure the effect of our notification on patients or providers.


CONCLUSIONS
Information technology enabled our institution to rapidly identify and notify individual patients and their providers about an important drug withdrawal. The methods modeled a feasible way for health care organizations with EMRs to participate in notification processes that may be applicable in a variety of situations.
Jain
Anil
A
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Atreja
Ashish
A
Harris
C Martin
CM
Lehmann
Meghan
M
Burns
Jon
J
Young
James
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods*; D007783:Lactones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D008875:Middle Aged; D005791:Patient Care / Q000379:methods*; D013450:Sulfones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007783:Lactones; D013450:Sulfones; C116926:rofecoxib