EHRs critical to 'learning health system' model

Electronic health records can help create network-based learning health systems to integrate chronic care management, quality improvement and research, according to a study published in the August edition of eGEMS (Generating Evidence and Methods to Improve Patient Outcomes).

The researchers, from the Cincinnati Children's' Hospital Medical Center and elsewhere, wanted to create a "proof of concept" architecture for a leaning health system. The goal was that every patient interaction with the healthcare system would provide an opportunity to generate data used both to treat the patient and to create new evidence, as well as knowledge to improve clinical practice and support research efforts.

The researchers designed a technology architecture to support all of these activities, in collaboration with the ImproveCareNow network, which works to boost the quality of life for children and adolescents with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (inflammatory bowel syndrome). They wanted to transform the network's Web-based multicenter registry, which was cumbersome to use, into an "enhanced" version that would serve as a network-based learning health system...