(38) Enhancing Patient Safety and Quality Care: A new APRN role in managing Chemotherapy EMR Orders

Title: Enhancing Patient Safety and Quality Care: A new APRN role in managing Chemotherapy EMR Orders

Abstract : The Beacon Coordinator (BC) initiative at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers (TXCH) was established in 2017 to improve patient safety and quality care by developing and maintaining chemotherapy treatment protocols within the new EPIC-Beacon system. This QI initiative also offered a specialized career pathway for Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), with BCs overseeing and enhancing chemotherapy electronic medical record (EMR) orders.
The BC team, staffed by three seasoned pediatric hematology/oncology/transplant nurse practitioners, collaborates with clinical providers, IT, pharmacy, principal investigators, and oncology experts to ensure chemotherapy orders are evidence-based and individualized for each disease team. A continuous review process gathers provider feedback and refines protocols. The Beacon Epic Assessment Management (BEAM) site tracks changes and errors in chemotherapy EMRs, while a centralized database streamlines access to patient treatment records, improving continuity of care.
The new BCs developed EMR Beacon build standards, improving chemotherapy order standardization and accuracy. The addition of a centralized database provides real-time access to patient records, supporting informed decision-making and ensuring that treatment protocols stay aligned with the latest clinical research. Since 2020, 780 new treatment plans were built, approximately 736 existing plans amended, and 133 revisions made due to identified errors. The existence of errors highlights the dynamic nature of medical practices and the necessity for continuous, routine updates to treatment protocols in order to maintain patient safety.
The implementation of the Beacon Coordinator role has proven effective in enhancing patient safety, reducing medication errors, and aligning treatment plans with current clinical guidelines. By incorporating evidence-based practices and a rigorous review process, BCs have significantly improved chemotherapy administration and quality of care for pediatric hematology/oncology patients. Additionally, the initiative has created a novel career pathway for APPs, demonstrating their potential to drive innovation and quality improvement in healthcare systems, while enhancing operational workflows and patient outcomes.