Online Database of Clinical Algorithms with Race and Ethnicity.

Abstract

Some clinical algorithms incorporate an individual's race, ethnicity, or both as an input variable or predictor in determining diagnoses, prognoses, treatment plans, or risk assessments. Inappropriate use of race and ethnicity in clinical algorithms at the point of care may exacerbate health disparities and promote harmful practices of race-based medicine. We identified 42 risk calculators that use race as a predictor, five laboratory test results with different reference ranges recommended for different races, one therapy recommendation based on race, 15 medications with guidelines for initiation and monitoring based on race, and four medical devices with differential racial performance. Information on these clinical algorithms are freely available at http://www.clinical-algorithms-with-race-and-ethnicity.org. This resource aims to raise awareness about the use of race in clinical algorithms and to track the progress made toward eliminating its inappropriate use. The database will be actively updated to include clinical algorithms based on race that were missed, along with additional characteristics of these algorithms.