How Frederick Health Streamlined Their Genetic Test Ordering and Result Processes by Over 50%

The relationship between our unique genetic profiles and our health has been a rapidly developing area of medicine for decades, accelerating with the mapping of the human genome in 2003. We regularly hear news of exciting discoveries in genetics, along with speculation about how they might eventually impact diagnosis and treatment. But most physicians (and most healthcare organizations) still think they are years away from using genetic information as a standard part of medical practice. Even though our genes impact every body system and aspect of our health, the use of genetics is still largely confined to a subset of specialties, like oncology, immunology, neurology, maternal and fetal medicine, and a handful of others. Moreover, only the largest, best-funded urban research and teaching institutions have historically had access to the technology and resources necessary to develop precision medicine programs that harnessed genetic testing and genomic medicine.

This is beginning to change. As the cost of both genetic testing and data storage has continued to fall, genetic data can now be stored within the Electronic Health Record, just like other kinds of patient data. This opens enormous possibilities for helping clinicians more quickly identify the safest and most effective therapies for their patients. One organization already taking advantage of these possibilities is Frederick Health in Frederick, MD. They are among the very first organizations anywhere to enable any physician to order, result, and display discrete genetic test data within their patients’ electronic records — along with interpretation and guidance, including pharmacogenomic decision support to help them select the right medication at the right dose the first time based on their patient’s unique genetic profile.

This innovative, mid-sized independent healthcare organization is demonstrating to organizations of all sizes that genomic medicine has applications across physician specialties, including internal medicine, primary care, and other forms of general medicine. Today, any physician at Frederick can order a genetic test out of their EHR, receive the results as discrete data in their patient charts, and access interpretation and guidance within their EHR.

Recently, leadership in their precision medicine program and IT department collaborated on a study of the efficiency gains they experienced by moving the test ordering and resulting workflows into their EHR.

Results

• A 25-minute time savings for every genetic test ordered.
• A 50% reduction in the number of steps in the genetic test results process.
• A 500% increase in patient volumes in the precision medicine program.

Within two years of launching their genomic medicine program — and utilizing their EHR for storing and displaying genetic test results with guidance — Frederick Health has become a recognized leader by bringing precision medicine out of the realm of the specialized academic teaching and research hospital and into the community. Today, they are extending the application of genetic insights into the areas of behavioral health, nutrigenomics, public and population health, surveillance therapy and clinical trials matching. In addition to industry accolades and national press, the organization is beginning to attract patients from larger urban areas, including Baltimore and Washington, DC, demonstrating that independent community hospitals can do more than survive — but instead thrive through innovation.

Key Takeaways

• Organizations of all types and sizes can establish personalized medicine programs that leverage genomic medicine.
• Storing patient genetic results directly in the EHR as discrete data enables both more personalized care and better population level care decisions.
• Integrated pharmacogenomic decision support (including drug-gene conflict checking) enhances patient safety, improves patient experience, and supports better outcomes.