Customized reference ranges for laboratory values decrease false positive alerts in intensive care unit patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Traditional electronic medical record (EMR) interfaces mark laboratory tests as abnormal based on standard reference ranges derived from healthy, middle-aged adults. This yields many false positive alerts with subsequent alert-fatigue when applied to complex populations like hospitalized, critically ill patients. Novel EMR interfaces using adjusted reference ranges customized for specific patient populations may ameliorate this problem.

Objective

To compare accuracy of abnormal laboratory value indicators in a novel vs traditional EMR interface.

Methods

Laboratory data from intensive care unit (ICU) patients consecutively admitted during a two-day period were recorded. For each patient, available laboratory results and the problem list were sent to two mutu

SUBMITTER: Kilickaya O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4169437 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature