Title
Electronic laboratory system reduces errors in National Tuberculosis Program: A cluster randomized controlled trial
Date Issued
01 January 2010
Access level
metadata only access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Blaya J.A.
Shin S.S.
Yale, Gloria
Contreras, C.
Rodriguez, P.
Kim J.
Cegielski P.
Fraser H.S.F.
Publisher(s)
International Union against Tubercul. and Lung Dis.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the e-Chasqui laboratory information system in reducing reporting errors compared to the current paper system. DESIGN: Cluster randomized controlled trial in 76 health centers (HCs) between 2004 and 2008. METHODS: Baseline data were collected every 4 months for 12 months. HCs were then randomly assigned to intervention (e-Chasqui) or control (paper). Further data were collected for the same months the following year. Comparisons were made between intervention and control HCs, and before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Intervention HCs had respectively 82% and 87% fewer errors in reporting results for drug susceptibility tests (2.1% vs. 11.9%, P < 0.001, OR 0.17, 95%CI 0.09-0.31) and cultures (2.0% vs. 15.1%, P < 0.001, OR 0.13, 95%CI 0.07-0.24), than control HCs. Preventing missing results through online viewing accounted for at least 72% of all errors. e-Chasqui users sent on average three electronic error reports per week to the laboratories. CONCLUSIONS: e-Chasqui reduced the number of missing laboratory results at point-of-care health centers. Clinical users confirmed viewing electronic results not available on paper. Reporting errors to the laboratory using e-Chasqui promoted continuous quality improvement. The e-Chasqui laboratory information system is an important part of laboratory infrastructure improvements to support multidrug-resistant tuberculosis care in Peru. © 2010 The Union.
Start page
1009
End page
1015
Volume
14
Issue
8
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Biotecnología relacionada con la salud
Salud pública, Salud ambiental
Enfermedades infecciosas
Sistema respiratorio
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-77954731870
PubMed ID
Source
International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
ISSN of the container
10273719
Sponsor(s)
U.S. National Library of Medicine R01LM009520
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus