Testing of an Electronic Clinical Quality Measure for Diagnostic Delay of Venous Thromboembolism (DOVE) in Primary Care

Abstract

Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious, preventable public health problem that requires timely treatment. Because signs and symptoms are non-specific, patients often present to primary care providers with VTE symptoms prior to diagnosis. Today there are no federal measurement tools in place to track delayed diagnosis of VTE. We developed and tested an electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) to quantify Diagnostic Delay of Venous Thromboembolism (DOVE); the rate of avoidable delayed VTE events occurring in patients with a VTE who had reported VTE symptoms in primary care within 30 days of diagnosis. DOVE uses routinely collected EHR data without contributing to documentation burden. DOVE was tested in two geographically distant healthcare systems. Overall DOVE rates were 72.60% (site 1) and 77.14% (site 2). This novel, data-driven eCQM could inform healthcare providers and facilities about opportunities to improve care, strengthen incentives for quality improvement, and ultimately improve patient safety.