Why Every EHR User Needs a Physician Champion Colleague

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NASPGHAN Webinar: (Link -requires registration to view): Changing the Dynamic: How to Enable EHRs to Work for You (if trouble with this link, go to https://learnonline.naspghan.org/webinar)

This webinar featured lectures by the following:

  • Steven Liu for Epic functionality (in the ~first 20 minutes)
  • John Pohl for Cerner functionality (in the ~second 20 minutes)
  • Jennifer Lee discussed patient portal, improving provider-patient communication, & protecting adolescent confidentiality-21st Century Cures Act
  • Jeannie Huang discussed the role of EHRs in value-based health care and clinical data collection.

Since our group mainly uses Epic, I will summarize some of the tips from Steven Liu, who also is our group’s Epic Physician Champion. Anyone who listened to the webinar will realize how there are so many tricks available. Some of the material from the talk is at the bottom in the form of screenshots; however, much of the information in the webinar is proprietary to EPIC and cannot be shared without permission.

Here are some of the key points:

  • Customize your templates for progress notes/H&Ps/other notes.
  • Scribes may relieve frustration and be a good investment
  • Use Smartphrases and Smartlinks
    • Smartphrases can be taken (or customized) from other users -can browse your superusers phrases by looking under Smartphrase manager
  • Smartforms can be very useful (eg. ImproveCareNow)
  • Using Dictionary, users can change autocorrect: example: if you type EoE, you could have it modified to Eosinophilic Esophagitis
  • Utilize/incorporate patient-entered questionnaires
  • Utilize customized filters (wrench icon) under the chart review tabs
  • Take advantage of the Chart Search function
    • can search “PPI” or “calprotectin” and this will identify if patient has used a PPI or had a calprotectin
    • can access this feature quickly with CTRL-spacebar
  • Shortcuts can save time -examples ALT-A and ALT-S
  • Take the time to build customized order panels, like “Celiac Annual Labs”
  • Health Maintenance Checklists can be incorporated but users may need their system to activate this feature
  • There is an Inbox Reminder function (to remind patient to get an appointment or test) or you can send a inbox message to yourself with a future date
  • For more sophisticated users: generating reports with Workbench
  • Epic has free classes (User Web -see slide below) available to help practitioners become more proficient (eg. Power User Course)

My take: Steven has helped everyone in our practice & listening to his talk makes me realize that I need to learn a good bit more and take some of his stuff. This EHR webinar provides a lot of tips to help good EHR users become better users. For those interested in research, understanding EHRs will be crucial going forward.

Related blog posts:

Dr. Steven Liu

AASLD COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations (for patients with Liver Disease)

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Link to 38 page guidance, last updated 2/2/21: AASLD EXPERT PANEL CONSENSUS STATEMENT:
VACCINES TO PREVENT COVID-19 INFECTION IN PATIENTS
WITH LIVER DISEASE

Key points:

  • “Due to their mechanism of action, both mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for all patients with CLD (compensated or decompensated) and immunosuppressed SOT recipients.”
  • “The AASLD recommends that providers advocate for prioritizing patients with compensated or decompensated cirrhosis or liver cancer, patients receiving immunosuppression such as SOT recipients, and living liver donors for COVID-19 vaccination based upon local health policies, protocols, and vaccine availability.”

Nutritional Anemia -Expert Review

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At Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, there has been a long-standing nutritional lecture series coordinated by Kipp Ellsworth.

A recent webinar: Link to WebEx (password PmSU6JPt): Nutrition Support Colloquium featuring Dr. Parmi Suchdev: “The Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Nutritional Anemia” (30 minute lecture)

Dr. Parmi Suchdev affiliations:

  • Associate Director, Emory Global Health Institute
    Director, Global Health Office of Pediatrics
    Professor of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health
    Professor of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine
  • BRINDA: BIOMARKERS REFLECTING INFLAMMATION AND NUTRITIONAL DETERMINANTS OF ANEMIA

Here are a few of the slides:

Related blog posts:

Disclaimer: This blog, gutsandgrowth, assumes no responsibility for any use or operation of any method, product, instruction, concept or idea contained in the material herein or for any injury or damage to persons or property (whether products liability, negligence or otherwise) resulting from such use or operation. These blog posts are for educational purposes only. Specific dosing of medications (along with potential adverse effects) should be confirmed by prescribing physician.  Because of rapid advances in the medical sciences, the gutsandgrowth blog cautions that independent verification should be made of diagnosis and drug dosages. The reader is solely responsible for the conduct of any suggested test or procedure.  This content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a condition

COVID: Schools & Age-Related Morbidity and Mortality

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JF Ludvigsson et al NEJM 2021; 384: 669-671. Full text: Open Schools, Covid-19, and Child and Teacher Morbidity in Sweden In this letter to the editor, the authors report on outcomes in Sweden, which kept schools open during the pandemic; time period: from March 1-June 30, 2020 (schools end around June 10th). Key findings:

  • Among 1-16 years of age (~1.95 million in total), 15 required ICU admission; there were no deaths in this age group
  • “Fewer than 10 pre-school teachers [1-6 years] and 20 schoolteachers received ICU care up to June 30, 2020.” Excluding health care workers, the occupational risk was similar to other occupations, with relative risk of 1.10 (0.49-2.49, 95% CI) and 0.43 (0.28-0.68, 95% CI) for preschool and school teachers respectively.

My take: This study suggests that school teachers are at similar risk for COVID-19 infection as other essential workers. In Sweden, during this timeframe, distancing but not masking was recommended. Thus, transmission rates could be lowered further.

Related article: SR Kadire et al. NEJM 2021; 384: DOI: 10.1056/NEJMclde2101987. Full text: Delayed Second Dose versus Standard Regimen for Covid-19 Vaccination This article provides rationale for both vaccine options.

Related blog posts:

Highly Prevalent Pediatric Feeding Disorders

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A recent retrospective study (K Kovacic et al. J Pediatr 2021; 228: 126-131. Pediatric Feeding Disorder: A Nationwide Prevalence Study) provides epidemiologic data for pediatric feeding disorders.

The authors utilized three databases for children aged 2 months to 18 years: Medicaid Databases from Arizona (2009-2017) and Wisconsin (2005-2014) (public insurance databases) and The Truven Health Analytics MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database (2009-2015) (a nationwide private insurance database).

Key findings:

  • There were 126 002 and 367 256 children 5 years of age or younger with pediatric feeding disorders (PFD) with public and private insurance, respectively
  • In 2014, the annual prevalence of PFD was 1 in 23, 1 in 24, and 1 in 37 in children under 5 years in the publicly insured cohorts in Wisconsin, Arizona, and the privately insured cohort, respectively.
  • The prevalence of PFD in children <5 years (range: 27-44 per 1000 children) exceeds the prevalence of U.S. children with autism spectrum disorder (~17 per 1000 children at age 8 year) and eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia (8 and 13 per 100,000 persons per year).
  • In an associated editorial (pg 13-14), Rachel Rosen notes that “despite their high prevalence, the lack of studies funded by the National Institutes of Health…is striking.”

My take: This study provides useful data on PFD prevalence. PFD have a wide range of associated diseases, including prematurity, neurologic disorders/developmental delay, congenital heart disease, chronic lung disease, autism, and congenital bowel disorders. In some, PFD are related to poorly-understood feeding aversions.

Related blog posts:

Chicago, IL & Lake Michigan

Liver Shorts -February 2021 (part 2)

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M Biewenga et al. Liver Transplantation 2020; 26: 1573-1581. Full text: Early Predictors of Short-Term Prognosis in Acute and Acute Severe Autoimmune Hepatitis

Key points:

  •  After the start of immunosuppressive therapy, bilirubin, albumin, and INR normalized in 70%, 77%, and 69%, respectively, in a median of 2.6 months, 3 months, and 4 weeks, respectively, in patients with A-AIH and AS-AIH
  • Deterioration of liver function (bilirubin, INR) after 2 weeks of treatment should lead to rapid evaluation for LT and consideration of second-line medication.

I Ziogas et al. J Pediatr 2021; 228: 177-182. Mortality Determinants in Children with Biliary Atresia Awaiting Liver Transplantation

Key points:

  • The cumulative incidence of waitlist mortality was 5.2%. Median waitlist time was 83 days.
  • In multivariable analysis (n = 2253), increasing bilirubin level ( P < .001), portal vein thrombosis ( P = .03), and ventilator dependence ( P < .001) at listing were associated with a higher risk, whereas weight ≥10 kg at listing ( P = .009) was associated with a lower risk of waitlist mortality. 

References Only:

HM DuBrokc, MJ Krowka. Hepatology 2020; 1455-1460. The Myths and Realities of Portopulmonary Hypertension

Related blog posts:

H Oh et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 18: 2793-2802. Full text: No Difference in Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection Treated With Entecavir vs Tenofovir Related blog post: Is Tenofovir the Best Medication for HBV?

Evanston, IL

FMT Research & The Shawshank Redemption

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In The Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) manages to escape prison by crawling through 500 yards of a filthy sewage pipe. It seems like a similar effort will be needed to find out how to benefit from fecal transplantation when given for problems like irritable bowel syndrome and metabolic disease/obesity. Some recent studies and associated editorials are noted below.

T Holvoet et al. Gastroenterol 2021; 160: 145-157. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Reduces Symptoms in Some Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Predominant Abdominal Bloating: Short- and Long-term Results From a Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial

  • Key finding: At week 12, 56% of patients given donor stool reported improvement in both primary endpoints compared with 26% of patients given placebo (P = .03).
  • Commentary: PW O’Toole, F Flanahan. Gastroenterol 2021; 160: 15-17. Full Text: Transplanting Microbes for Irritable Bowels or Irritated Microbes or Both?
    • This editorial stresses that trials of FMT in IBS have had inconsistent results and risks are unclear. “How many clinicians inform patients receiving FMT that the donor microbiota might include components that increase (or decrease) one’s risk of colorectal cancer?” Part of the problem is “due, in part, because a normal microbiome has not been defined.”

E Rinott et al. Gastroenterol 2021; 160: 158-173. Full text Effects of Diet-Modulated Autologous Fecal Microbiota Transplantation on Weight Regain

Key findings:

  • In this randomized controlled trial with 90 participants, autologous FMT (aFMT) significantly attenuated weight regain in the green-Mediterranean group (aFMT, 17.1%, vs placebo, 50%; P = .02) and improved insulin resistance: insulin rebound (aFMT, –1.46 ± 3.6 μIU/mL vs placebo, 1.64 ± 4.7 μIU/mL; P = .04) (Graphical abstract below)
  • In mice, Mankai-modulated aFMT in the weight-loss phase compared with control diet aFMT, significantly prevented weight regain and resulted in better glucose tolerance during a high-fat diet–induced regain phase (all, P < .05).

Commentary: M Nieurdorp, K Madsen. Gastroenterol 2021; 160: 17-19. Full text The Promise of Maintaining Diet-Induced Weight Loss by Swallowing One’s Own Feces: Time to Provide a Do-It-Yourself Manual?

  • “These findings add support to the current body of evidence that the gut microbiota have a role in weight gain and metabolism. However, many questions remain. Indeed, although studies have shown varying degrees of effectiveness of FMT in the improvement of metabolic parameters in human participants, there has been no evidence yet that FMT can induce weight loss in obese patients.”
  • “The finding that maintenance of weight loss was only seen in the one dietary group consuming the Mediterranean diet plus green tea and Mankai supplement who received autologous FMT, would suggest that specific microbial profiles may be involved and that weight loss per se may not result in the required microbial profiles.”
Figure 1 from editorial: Challenges associated with the use of fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) as treatment

My take: Both of these studies show that modulation of the fecal microbiome may be helpful under the right set of circumstances to help with both irritable bowel syndrome and metabolic syndrome. However, ‘hundreds of yards’ of more research is needed to determine if this is really feasible and to assure that the benefits outweigh the potential risks.

Related blog posts:

Supreme Court Justices “Play a Deadly Game”

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A recent commentary (WE Parmet. NEJM 2021; 384: 199-201. Full text: Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo — The Supreme Court and Pandemic Controls) explains how a recent court decision undermines the future of many public health laws.

Key points:

  • “On November 25, 2020, … the U.S. Supreme Court, by a 5-to-4 vote, undermined states’ ability to control that pandemic.” (Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo)
  • Initially, most courts rejected challenges to restrictions imposed by governors during the pandemic. “Initially, most courts rejected these claims, citing the Supreme Court’s 1905 decision in Jacobson v. Massachusetts, which upheld a Cambridge, Massachusetts, regulation mandating smallpox vaccination during an outbreak.”
  • After the appointment of Justice Amy Coney Barrett, ” there was now a 5-to-4 majority willing to block limits on religious services.” This was based on the rationale that it is unlawful to “single out houses of worship for especially harsh treatment” and that “even in a pandemic, the Constitution cannot be put away and forgotten.”
  • In dissent, “Justice Stephen Breyer pointed to epidemiologic evidence that in-person worship may pose a greater risk than shopping and other activities that were less stringently regulated to argue that the Court should defer to state officials.”
  • “The Court’s eagerness to intervene even though New York’s orders were no longer in effect and its failure to consider epidemiologic evidence in determining which activities are comparable to worship will serve as a warning” against “state orders that impose tighter measures on worship…[and] suggests that states will not be able to act before super-spreader events occur or as long as other states take a more lax approach.”
  • The author note that “although courts should not abdicate their role during a pandemic, they also should not rush to assume an expertise they lack.”
  • “[The] most important legacy may be the dethroning of Jacobson…[which] has been the key precedent supporting vaccine mandates and other public health laws….With Jacobson apparently sidelined, the future of many public health laws, including and especially vaccine mandates, appears perilous.”

From The Onion:

Also, useful website via NBC: Plan Your Vaccine

Mechanisms of Postinfectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Functional Disorders

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Aguilera-Lizarraga, J., Florens, M.V., Viola, M.F. et al. Local immune response to food antigens drives meal-induced abdominal pain.  Nature (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-03118-2 (Thanks to Ben Gold’s twitter feed for this reference)

Background: “Up to 20% of people worldwide develop gastrointestinal symptoms following a meal, leading to decreased quality of life, substantial morbidity and high medical costs”

“Here we show that a bacterial infection and bacterial toxins can trigger an immune response that leads to the production of dietary-antigen-specific IgE antibodies in mice, which are limited to the intestine. Following subsequent oral ingestion of the respective dietary antigen, an IgE- and mast-cell-dependent mechanism induced increased visceral pain. This aberrant pain signaling resulted from histamine receptor H1-mediated sensitization of visceral afferents. Moreover, injection of food antigens (gluten, wheat, soy and milk) into the rectosigmoid mucosa of patients with irritable bowel syndrome induced local oedema and mast cell activation.”

My take: This study shows how innocuous food can trigger pain after an intestinal infection.

Related blog posts:

Ustekinumab Escalation in Patients with Crohn’s Disease & Healthy Lifestyle Choices for IBD Patients

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JE Ollech et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 19: 104-110. Effectiveness of Ustekinumab Dose Escalation in Patients With Crohn’s Disease

In patients with Crohn’s disease, dose escalation of biologic therapy (eg. anti-TNF agents, vedolizumab) has been shown to be helpful in recapturing response to treatment. In a retrospective study with 110 patients, Ollech et al explore the outcomes in those who had their subcutaneous ustekinumab interval shortened to 4 weeks (from every 8 weeks).

Key findings:

  • Following dose interval shortening, the patients’ median Harvey Bradshaw Index (HBI) decreased from 4.5 to 3 ( P = .002), the median level of CRP decreased from 8 mg/L to 3 mg/L ( P = .031), and median level of fecal calprotectin decreased from 378 μg/g to 157 μg/g ( P = .57).
  •  Among patients with active disease (HBI >4, CRP ≥/=5mg/dL, fecal calprotectin >250ug/g, or endoscopic evidence for disease activity), dose interval shortening was associated with a 28% clinical remission (an HBI score ≤4), and 50% had reduced levels of fecal calprotectin; 36% achieved endoscopic remission.
  • The authors did not identify serious adverse events with dose shortening.

My take: Prospective studies are needed. This study indicates that more frequent dosing improves outcomes in a significant fraction of those with active disease.

Related blog posts:

Unrelated article: C-H Lo et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 19: 87-95. Healthy Lifestyle Is Associated With Reduced Mortality in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases In this study, using data from three large cohort studies, the authors assessed the impact of 5 healthy lifestyle factors: never smoking, body mass index 18.5–24.9 kg/m 2, vigorous physical activity in the highest 50% with non-zero value, alternate Mediterranean diet score ≥4, and light drinking [0.1–5.0 g/d]. Key finding:

  • Compared to patients with IBD with no healthy lifestyle factors, patients with IBD with 3–5 healthy lifestyle factors had a significant reduction in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.29; 95% CI, 0.16–0.52; Ptrend < .0001). 

My take: Like the general population, healthy lifestyle choices are important in individuals with IBD; this study provides some data on the effects on outcomes.