Reliance on Documentation
Rothman Index is based on data received from the EHR and ancillary (e.g.., lab registration and ADT) systems. Inaccurate or delayed clinical documentation may lead to inaccurate or delayed RI scores. Timely documentation is required to obtain the most up-to-date RI Server information related to a patient's condition.
CAUTION: RI Scores displayed in a RI Trend graph may not reflect the current condition of the patient.
The lag time that may exist between the time when clinical measurements are obtained and the time when they are entered into the EHR is a fundamental challenge in assessing patients via EHR data.
CAUTION: As new data is received by the RI Server system, RI scores at previous times may not be updated on the RI Trend graph.
A clinician who wishes to see the RI score of a patient in the current moment must ensure that current clinical data is collected and entered into the EHR to generate an RI score reflective of the patients' condition at the same moment. Delays in entering data into the EHR will result in RI Trend graphs that are not current; and users must be aware of the risk that RI scores displayed in a RI Trend graph may not reflect the most up-to-date condition of the patient.
CAUTION: RI scores can only be computed when the requisite data is available. For some patients, particularly obstetric and psychiatric patients, the minimum data elements (including nursing assessments) needed for an RI score may not be routinely collected, and therefore RI scores for these patients may not be available. Provided that the minimum required data elements are recorded and entered into the EHR, RI scores will be calculated for these patients.
Customers must inform Spacelabs about changes to clinical data fields or system documentation that pertain to any of the fields used as inputs to the Rothman Index.
Reliance on Data Connectivity
RI Trend data relies on active and functioning data feeds from the EHR and ancillary systems. If data interfaces are paused or disrupted, or there is EHR system downtime, this may result in gaps or delays in RI Trend graphs. Users should be aware that scheduled EHR downtimes and/or unplanned EHR outages will both impact availability and timeliness of RI Trend data.