Impact of embedded decision support within eReferral forms for MRI ordering

• There has been a significant increase in the ordering of MRIs in Canada and along with that, an increase in wait times for MRIs – some of which are unnecessary​
• Evidence-based criteria to guide decision making has been developed by the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR), Choosing Wisely Canada, and the Joint Department of Medical Imaging (JDMI) at the University Health Network (UHN)​
• The JDMI and the eReferral Program team worked together to embed the clinical DI – DS within the eReferral process for DI requests​
• A study led by the eReferral Evaluation team, measured the impact of the DS embedded within the eReferral form on the number of necessary MRI requests ordered at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener, Ontario1​

• Grand River Hospital’s DI clinic receives referrals through eReferral with embedded DS, as well as the traditional paper-fax based method, without DS​
• In total, the retrospective chart review was completed on 717 referrals for patients with knee pain; 19% (136) were eReferrals and 81% (581) were fax​
• Study findings show that the use of eReferral was associated with a higher likelihood of necessary MRI requests, reducing unnecessary ordering which could result in reducing wait time for patients to access services​

To read the full article and learn more about the study click here or see the ​
full citation below.​