Robotic Process Automation as an EHR Reliability Layer for Inpatient Care Gaps: Automating Virtual Huddles Using Secure Chat.

IF 2.7 2区医学 Q4 MEDICAL INFORMATICS

Applied Clinical Informatics Pub Date : 2026-10-01 Epub Date: 2026-10-13 DOI:10.1055/a-2976-8076

Jared Silberlust, Tiffany R Martinez, Katerina Andreadis, Christopher Sonne, Ulka Kothari, Thomas Roncoli, Ajay Mansukhani, Hardev Randhawa, John Will, Jonathan S Austrian, Paul Testa, Jonah Feldman

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: This case report describes the implementation and outcomes of robotic process automation (RPA) interventions used as an electronic health record (EHR)-based reliability layer for two inpatient quality initiatives: First Contact Provider (FCP) assignment and Admission Medication Reconciliation (AMR) within 24 hours.

Abstract: METHODS: RPA bots were created to support two inpatient quality initiatives by monitoring EHR patient lists for predefined care gaps: missing FCP assignment and incomplete AMR. When a gap was identified, the bot opened the patient chart, initiated a secure-message conversation with frontline clinicians and quality improvement (QI) champions, and generated operational reports to support follow-up. Chi-square tests compared FCP before (September 1, 2022-February 28, 2023) versus after implementation (March 1-August 31, 2023), and AMR before (December 1, 2022-May 31, 2023) versus after implementation (June 1-November 30, 2023).

Abstract: RESULTS: For FCP, the bot identified 9361 encounters without an assignment across 118 hospital units and generated 14,984 secure-message conversations linking 17 QI champions with 2,336 providers. FCP assignment improved from 81.2% (5,096,966/6,269,754 patient-hours) to 88.5% (5,858,442/6,619,047; p < 0.001). For AMR, the bot identified 10,680 incomplete reconciliations across 131 hospital units and generated 21,502 secure-message conversations linking 208 QI champions with 3,234 unique providers. Timely completion improved from 86% (33,886/39,489 encounters) to 96% (39,790/41,624; p < 0.001).

Abstract: CONCLUSION: Implementation of RPA was associated with substantial improvement in FCP assignment and timely AMR completion. Initiating a bot-enabled secure-chat "virtual safety huddle" may provide a practical EHR reliability layer for rule-based inpatient care gaps.

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来源期刊

Applied Clinical Informatics MEDICAL INFORMATICS-

CiteScore

4.60

自引率

24.10%

发文量

132

期刊介绍： ACI is the third Schattauer journal dealing with biomedical and health informatics. It perfectly complements our other journals Öffnet internen Link im aktuellen FensterMethods of Information in Medicine and the Öffnet internen Link im aktuellen FensterYearbook of Medical Informatics. The Yearbook of Medical Informatics being the “Milestone” or state-of-the-art journal and Methods of Information in Medicine being the “Science and Research” journal of IMIA, ACI intends to be the “Practical” journal of IMIA.