SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Strategies to Increase Provider Utilization of Ideal Care Pathways

Pdf Summary

This project aimed to increase Internal Medicine resident use of EMR-integrated Ideal Care Pathways (ICPs) for heart failure, sickle cell disease, and suspected GI bleed admissions by at least 10%. ICPs are diagnosis-specific algorithms designed to standardize evidence-based care, reduce variation, shorten length of stay, lower costs, and improve outcomes, but provider adoption is often limited.<br /><br />The team identified key barriers to use: lack of awareness, disruption to existing EMR workflow, concern that algorithmic care undermines clinical reasoning and autonomy, and limited local data showing value. To address these barriers, they implemented a multi-part intervention: brief monthly education sessions, reminder emails, instructional posters, EMR changes to make pathways more visible and easier to trigger, and incentives including monthly gift cards and participation in a resident incentive program.<br /><br />Close collaboration with the Value Institute and EMR developers was essential to embed ICPs into workflow and improve access. Early results showed increased utilization across the targeted pathways over four months, moving toward both project and institutional goals.<br /><br />Financial analysis suggested substantial savings when providers opened the correct ICP during encounters. Estimated savings included over $4.0 million for heart failure over 17 months and about $278,000 for sickle cell disease over 14 months. The study suggests that education, reminders, workflow integration, and incentives can improve ICP adoption, and that broader use could enhance cost efficiency, quality, and equity of hospital care.

Asset Subtitle

Taelor A. Weaver

Meta Tag

Author List Amanda Davis, Chelsey Ann Petz, Meghan Thomas, Peggy Jenny, Taelor A. Weaver

Category Innovations

Concept Ideal Care Pathway

Concept Provider Adoption

Concept Standardized Care Algorithm

Concept Shared Electronic Medical Record Results Pool

Concept Guideline

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Medical University of South Carolina

Presenting Author Taelor A. Weaver

Track Value in Hospital Medicine

Keywords

Internal Medicine

EMR-integrated

Ideal Care Pathways

heart failure

sickle cell disease

GI bleed

resident education

workflow integration

clinical decision support

healthcare cost savings

Ideal Care Pathway

Provider Adoption

Standardized Care Algorithm

Shared Electronic Medical Record Results Pool

Guideline