A cloud-based electronic medical record for scheduling, tracking, and documenting examinations and treatment of retinopathy of prematurity.
BACKGROUND
Screening by neonatologists and staging by ophthalmologists is a cost-effective intervention, but inadvertent missed examinations create a high liability.


METHODS
Paper tracking, bedside schedule reminders, and a computer scheduling and reminder program were compared for speed of input and retrospective missed examination rate. A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) process was then programmed for cloud-based distribution for inpatient and outpatient retinopathy of prematurity monitoring.


RESULTS
Over 11 years, 367 premature infants in one NICU were prospectively monitored. The initial paper system missed 11% of potential examinations, the Windows server-based system missed 2%, and the current cloud-based system missed 0% of potential inpatient and outpatient examinations. Computer input of examinations took the same or less time than paper recording.


CONCLUSIONS
A computer application with a deliberate NICU process improved the proportion of eligible neonates getting their scheduled eye examinations in a timely manner.
Robert W
RW
Arnold
Jack
J
Jacob
Zinnia
Z
Matrix
D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D004282:Documentation / Q000379:methods*; D057286:Electronic Health Records / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D020407:Internet; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000175:diagnosis*