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Use of the Electronic Health Record for Monitoring Adverse Drug Reactions

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The electronic health record (EHR) provides an opportunity to monitor ADRs, mainly through the utilization of drug allergy data and pharmacogenomics. This review article explores the current use of the EHR for ADR monitoring and highlights areas that require improvement.

Recent Findings

Recent research has identified several issues with using EHR for ADR monitoring. These include the lack of standardization between EHR systems, specificity in data entry options, incomplete and inaccurate documentation, and alert fatigue. These issues can limit the effectiveness of ADR monitoring and compromise patient safety.

Summary

The EHR has great potential for monitoring ADR but needs significant updates to improve patient safety and optimize care. Future research should concentrate on developing standardized documentation and clinical decision support systems within EHRs. Healthcare professionals should also be educated on the significance of accurate and complete ADR monitoring.

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Abbreviations

AAAAI:

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

ADRs:

Adverse drug reactions

CDS:

Clinical decision support

CPIC:

Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium

CPOE:

Computerized physician order entry

DAL:

Drug allergy label

EHR:

Electronic health record

HCP:

Healthcare professional

HLA:

Human leukocyte antigen

HSR:

Hypersensitivity reaction

PharmGKB:

Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase

PharmVar:

Pharmacogene Variation Consortium

PGx:

Pharmacogenomic

US:

United States

USFDA:

United States Food and Drug Association

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Acknowledgements

Dr. Alvarez-Arango receives support from the NIH-NCATS (KL2TR003099).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Anum F. Muzaffar

  2. Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Sandra Abdul-Massih, James M. Stevenson & Santiago Alvarez-Arango

  3. Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Hopkins Bayview Circle, 5501, MD, 21224, Baltimore, USA

    Santiago Alvarez-Arango

  4. Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    James M. Stevenson & Santiago Alvarez-Arango

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  1. Anum F. Muzaffar
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Correspondence to Santiago Alvarez-Arango.

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Muzaffar, A.F., Abdul-Massih, S., Stevenson, J.M. et al. Use of the Electronic Health Record for Monitoring Adverse Drug Reactions. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 23, 417–426 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-023-01087-w

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