title: Use of HIT for adverse event reporting in nursing homes: barriers and facilitators.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Approximately 8 million adverse events occur annually in nursing homes (NHs). The focus of this research is to determine barriers and health information technology (HIT)-related facilitators to adverse event reporting among U.S. NHs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surveys were returned by 399 nursing home administrators using a mailed survey approach. Respondents were asked to report on their adverse event reporting processes focusing on barriers and role of HIT facilitators.
  
  
  RESULTS
  About 15% of NHs had computerized entry by the nurse on the unit and almost 18% used no computer technology to track, monitor, or maintain adverse event data. One-third of nursing directors conducted data analysis "by-hand." NHs without HIT were more likely to not be accredited (p = 0.04) and not part of a chain/corporation (p = 0.03). Two of the top three barriers focused on fears of reporting as a barrier.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study found numerous barriers and few HIT-related facilitators to assist with adverse event reporting. Improvements in facilitating adverse event reporting through the use of HIT approaches may be warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, 2 Koret Way, San Francisco, CA, USA. laura.wagner@nursing.ucsf.edu
authors.forename: Laura M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Nicholas G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Castle
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Handler
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D008490:Medical Informatics; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D061214:Patient Safety; D014481:United States