Approximately 8.6 million adverse drug events happen in the United States annually, resulting in 100,000 fatalities, according to Genelex. Medications could metabolize too quickly in the body, making them ineffective treatments, or they could be absorbed too slowly, which can cause heightened effects. Without knowledge of previous negative effects, doctors could prescribe patients the wrong type of medicine. The pharmacogenetic testing presentation during the Interoperability Showcase at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society's 2015 conference illustrated how health IT can prevent ADEs.
Genetic testing reduces side effects
More than 75 percent of people metabolize medications either faster or slower than normal, Genelex explained in a press release for its study published in Pharmacogenomics. This can cause pharmaceuticals to work incorrectly, resulting in adverse side effects for patients, some of which could be life threatening. If the drug breaks down too quickly, it will not work, but if it is metabolized too slowly, its effects will be heightened. Many people can experience drug-gene, drug-drug or drug-drug-gene interactions that could cause problems.
The HIMSS' Interoperability Showcase, in collaboration with Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise, illustrated ADEs with the example of Isabel, a diabetic woman who is brought to the hospital after a car accident. After being given a certain drug, she begins to experience sedation and a lack of alertness. Knowing that she has already had an ADE, her doctor can administer a pharmacogenetic test to determine any other potential drug-gene or drug-drug interactions.
When physicians know how patients will react to certain medications, whether that is metabolizing them at an abnormal speed or experiencing negative side effects, they can alter dosages or prescribe different pharmaceuticals to ensure people receive the best care.
The importance of interoperability
It is crucial for each doctor that sees a certain patient to understand how that person reacts to certain medications. However, if the information is not shared, the patient could be in danger of experiencing another ADE. Data in one physician's EHR cannot help other providers if it is not passed along.
During the Interoperability Showcase, the hypothetical Isabel went through various medical imaging exams, including a CT, and discovers she has breast cancer. With multiple conditions and after already experiencing an ADE, she will need her primary care physician to know how she reacts to certain medications. Information from pharmacogenetic testing can be uploaded to her medical record so it becomes a permanent part of her history, but without EHR interoperability, only her original provider would know about it.
Approximately 33.9 percent of people experience drug-gene and drug-drug-gene interactions, according to Genelex. The ability to share information among EHR software and pharmacogenetic tests would allow doctors seeing the same person to avoid medications that previously affected the patient. With this data, they would be able to prescribe pharmaceuticals that cater to the person's needs.
The HIMSS highlighted the importance of making patient information available to various medical professionals through EHR and other health IT interoperability. With data readily accessible, doctors can streamline the health care process and provide more accurate treatment.
Ronny Bachrach
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