Ismael Martínez Nicolás1, Benjamin Lê Cook2, Michael Flores2, Marta Del Olmo Rodriguez3, Corazón Hernández Rodríguez4, Pilar Llamas Sillero5, Enrique Baca-Garcia6,7,8,9,10,11,12. 1. Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM), Murcia, Spain. 2. Health Equity Research Laboratory, Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA. 3. Patient Information and Care Service, IDC Salud-Quiron, Madrid, Spain. 4. Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Institute of Assisted Reproduction, University Hospital Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain. 5. Hematology Department, Oncohealth Institute, IIS-Jimenez Diaz Foundation, University Hospital Fundación Jiménez Díaz, UAM, Madrid, Spain. 6. Department of Psychiatry, IIS-Jimenez Diaz Foundation, Madrid, Spain. 7. Psychiatry Department, Autonoma University, Madrid, Spain. 8. Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Spain. 9. Department of Psychiatry, General Hospital of Villalba, Madrid, Spain. 10. Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Infanta Elena, Valdemoro, Spain. 11. CIBERSAM (Centro de Investigación en Salud Mental), Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain. 12. Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is little empirical research on the potential benefit that electronic patient portals (EPP) can have on the care quality and health outcomes of diverse multi-ethnic international populations. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which an EPP was associated with improvements in health service use. METHODS: Using a quasi-experimental interrupted time-series approach, we assessed health service use before (April 2012-September 2015) and after (October 2015-December 2016) the implementation of a comprehensive EPP at four hospitals in Madrid, Spain. Primary outcomes were number of outpatient visits, any hospital admission, any 30-day all-cause readmission and any emergency department visit. RESULTS: Implementation of the EPP was associated with a significant decline in readmissions. Among patients with chronic heart failure, EPP implementation was associated with a significant decline for all outcome measures, and among patients with COPD, a decline in all outcomes except readmissions. Among patients diagnosed with malignant hematological diseases, no significant changes were identified. CONCLUSIONS: EPPs hold promise for reducing hospital readmissions. Certain patient populations with chronic conditions may differentially benefit from portal use depending on their needs for communication with their providers.
BACKGROUND: There is little empirical research on the potential benefit that electronic patient portals (EPP) can have on the care quality and health outcomes of diverse multi-ethnic international populations. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which an EPP was associated with improvements in health service use. METHODS: Using a quasi-experimental interrupted time-series approach, we assessed health service use before (April 2012-September 2015) and after (October 2015-December 2016) the implementation of a comprehensive EPP at four hospitals in Madrid, Spain. Primary outcomes were number of outpatient visits, any hospital admission, any 30-day all-cause readmission and any emergency department visit. RESULTS: Implementation of the EPP was associated with a significant decline in readmissions. Among patients with chronic heart failure, EPP implementation was associated with a significant decline for all outcome measures, and among patients with COPD, a decline in all outcomes except readmissions. Among patients diagnosed with malignant hematological diseases, no significant changes were identified. CONCLUSIONS: EPPs hold promise for reducing hospital readmissions. Certain patient populations with chronic conditions may differentially benefit from portal use depending on their needs for communication with their providers.
Authors: Erin E Hahn; Aileen Baecker; Ernest Shen; Eric C Haupt; Wahid Wakach; Andre Ahuja; Tracy M Imley; Michael K Gould; Michael Kanter Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2021-01-20 Impact factor: 5.128