The EMR search fields and parameters
| FIELD NAME | DESCRIPTION OF FIELD | INFORMATION ENTRY | PRIMARY SEARCH PARAMETERS USED | ADDITIONAL SEARCH PARAMETERS USED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic disease registry | Displayed through a link that opens a new window. Used to document chronic disease diagnoses (based on ICD-9 codes) | Requires clinician to click on a link, which opens a separate window where chronic diseases can be added from a drop-down menu | All patients with code 493 (asthma or allergic bronchitis) | Exclusion criteria: patients with codes 491 (chronic bronchitis), 492 (emphysema), or 496 (other COPD) |
| Cumulative patient profile | 4 boxed fields found at top of the electronic chart display (ongoing concerns, social history, medical history, and reminders). Used for documentation of previous and active patient psychosocial and medical issues | Requires free-text entry by clinicians | All patients with the word asthma anywhere in the cumulative patient profile | None |
| Billing diagnostic code | Displayed through a link that opens a window. Entry of a billing diagnostic code corresponding with the main reason for each visit is required for service payment (diagnostic codes are based on ICD-9 codes) | Requires clinician to choose a code from a drop-down menu at each clinical visit | All patients with ≥ 1 code 493 (asthma or allergic bronchitis) billed within the past 3 y | Exclusion criteria: patients with ≥ 1 codes 491, 492, or 496 billed within the past 3 y |
| Medications | Field found on the right side of the electronic chart display containing prescriptions made both through the EMR and by outside providers | Prescriptions made through the EMR are autopopulated from the prescription software (including generic and trade names, and doses); prescriptions made by outside providers require free-text entry by clinicians | All patients prescribed ≥ 1 inhaled asthma medication within the past y | Exclusion criteria: patients prescribed either tiotropium bromide or ipratropium bromide within the past y |
| Chart notes | Central display in the body of the electronic chart, where all providers enter notes during each patient encounter | Chief concern for each visit is typed in by the clinic receptionist based on the patient’s description. The body of each note is typed in by the clinician | All patients seen within the past 3 y having the word asthma anywhere in the chart notes (excluding the chief concern area) | None |
COPD—chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, EMR—electronic medical record.