To investigate the impact of reminders for serum potassium monitoring and of hyperkalemia alerts during potassium-increasing drug-drug-interactions.
The development of hyperkalemia during potassium-increasing drug-drug-interactions (DDIs) is associated with (i) unknown or elevated serum potassium level at onset of treatment and (ii) insufficient monitoring of serum potassium during therapy. However, potassium-increasing DDIs are frequently started despite an unknown or elevated serum potassium level, and monitoring intervals often exceed 48 hours. This study investigates the impact of reminders for serum potassium monitoring and hyperkalemia alerts. Both reminders and alerts are displayed in the electronic patient chart of in-patients treated with potassium-increasing DDIs.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
3,341
display of computer-based reminders for serum potassium monitoring and hyperkalemia alerts
University Hospital Zurich, Center for Clinical Research, Research Center for Medical Informatics
Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland
Impact on serum potassium monitoring during potassium-increasing drug-drug-interactions
Rate of serum potassium monitoring intervals of \< = 72 hours during potassium-increasing drug-drug-interactions in proportion to all serum potassium monitoring intervals during potassium-increasing drug-drug-interactions
Time frame: 1 year
Frequency of hyperkalemia during potassium-increasing drug-drug-interactions
Time frame: 1 year
Frequency of potassium-increasing drug-drug-interactions ordered in the presence of hyperkalemia
Time frame: 1 year
Frequency of transfers to the ICU during potassium-increasing drug-drug-interactions in function of the serum potassium level
Time frame: 1 year
Frequency of death during potassium-increasing drug-drug-interactions in the presence or absence of hyperkalemia
Time frame: 1 year
Change in frequency distribution of serum potassium monitoring intervals
Time frame: 1 year
Response of physicians to the computer-based alerts and reminders
Time frame: 1 year
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