To investigate the impact of digital health fragmentation on antimicrobial prescribing and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) within the UK healthcare system, highlighting the importance of comprehensive patient information.
Approach:
Definition of Digital Health Fragmentation: Digital health fragmentation refers to the distribution of patient information across multiple digital systems with limited interoperability, data availability, and usability, which can hinder effective patient care.
Literature Review: A systematic review indicated that good interoperability is linked to better medication safety, but the overall effects on patient safety and care quality remain unclear, as noted in studies by Li et al. (2022).
Key Findings:
25% of patients in the UK were treated by more than one NHS trust in 2017/2018.
9.1% of clinical encounters involved different electronic health record systems.
Incomplete patient information can lead to inappropriate antibiotic selection and contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
Interpretation:
The association between digital health fragmentation and antimicrobial prescribing has not been systematically investigated, leading to incomplete knowledge on its impact.
Limitations:
Most studies on digital health fragmentation have been conducted in the United States, with limited UK-specific evidence.
The effects of digital health fragmentation may vary based on health system organization and digital infrastructure, which could influence the generalizability of findings.
Conclusion:
An updated assessment of digital health fragmentation is necessary to understand its specific features and address its impact on antimicrobial prescribing, emphasizing the need for further research to fill existing knowledge gaps.
by Verena Schneider, Akish Luintel, Bethan Balch, Shivani Gangadia, Grainne Brady, Emma McGuire, Gwenan M Knight, Laura Shallcross, Steve Harris, Cecilia Vindrola-Padros
