Electronic Interface for Emergency Department Management of Asthma: a Randomized Control Trial of Clinician Performance

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated and dynamic electronic decision support system for management of acute asthma in the ED.

Methods: A randomized trial was conducted comparing clinician performance using this electronic interface compared with paper documentation in a simulation scenario. The outcomes were documentation of asthma-related information and consultation times.

Results: Use of this electronic interface was associated with significantly higher rates of documentation in 7 out of 10 variables, including provision of written short-term asthma management plans. After adjustment for participant seniority, there was no significant difference in consultation times.

Conclusion: In a simulation trial, use of this electronic interface was associated with improvements in clinical and discharge documentation. Further studies are required to test this prototype in clinical practice.