A new electronic health record (EHR) tool designed by investigators from the Brigham and Women ’s Hospital could help to reduce complications and death from chronic kidney disease. Over 26 million Americans suffer from the disease, with rapid deterioration a common issue. The EHR can automatically calculate patients’ risk of encountering kidney problems and displays it as a score, providing doctors with a useful early-warning tool to detect the disease’s incidence and progression. “Patients are often unaware that they have high blood pressure or diabetes until it’s too late,” said Dr. David L. Katz, director of the Center for Health Policy Research at Brandeis University.
A new electronic health record (EHR) tool designed by investigators from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital could help to reduce complications and death from chronic kidney disease. Over 26 million Americans suffer from the disease, with rapid deterioration a common issue. The EHR can automatically calculate patients’ risk of encountering kidney problems and displays it as a score, providing doctors with a useful early-warning tool to detect the disease’s incidence and progression. The tool was tested on 255 patients before being extended to 10 primary care clinics with success.