EMR use triples osteoporosis screening rate

An EMR-based program implemented at two Geisinger Health System family practice clinics managed to triple the rate of osteoporosis screenings in women at risk for the condition, according to a study conducted by researchers within the organization. Geisinger has a $70 million Epic EMR system in place, serving its three regional medical centers, 650-member group practice, health insurance company and health research center. Under the osteoporosis program, women who had not had bone density screens for the disease within the last two years were flagged within the EMR. The women were then sent letters and got phone calls. About half of the women who then received the screening were considered at high risk for developing the disease, researchers concluded. Geisinger has also built other quality improvement programs around its EMR capabilities, including a pay-for-performance initiative the health plan kicked off last month.

To learn more about the study:
- read this UPI article
- check out this Geisinger release

Post a comment