This scoping review identified studies that used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to optimize medication alerts in hospitals. The researchers found 10 relevant studies, with only 30% reporting both statistical and clinical outcomes. Alerts optimized using AI-based methods resulted in a decreased alert burden, increased identification of inappropriate or atypical prescriptions, and enabled prediction of user responses.  Two of the 10 studies implemented AI alerts in hospitals, and none underwent external validation. Want to learn more? Click here for more information.

Jetske Graafsma, Rachel Murphy et al. DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocae076

This study investigates the long-term outcomes of ICU patients with acute decompensated liver cirrhosis or acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). In total, 47% of 3035 patients survived hospitalization, and the overall probability of 1-year transplant-free survival after hospital discharge was 0.61. The ACLF severity at ICU admission did not independently influence post-discharge survival. Click here for more information.

Jubi de Haan, Fabian Temorshuizen et al. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.03.004

This study reports mortality rates among patients with COVID-19 during the first wave and compared these rates with the following waves. Using COVID-19 patient data from Dutch Intensive Care Units (ICUs), collected by Stichting Nice, between May 2020 and January 2023,  the mortality risks in the initial upsurge of the third wave was similar to the first wave, but mortality rates decreased in later periods. Curious? Click here for more information.

Fabian Termorshuizen et al. DOI: 10.1186/s13613-023-01238-2

In nine Dutch intensive care units, this study assessed the impact of tailoring potential drug-drug interaction (DDI) alerts to the ICU setting. Using a cluster randomised stepped-wedge trial, a customized clinical decision support system (CDSS) only providing alerts for potential DDIs considered as high risk was implemented and evaluated. The study found a 12% decrease in the number of administered high-risk drug combinations, indicating that tailoring alerts to the ICU setting improves CDSS effectiveness and patient safety. Click here for more information.

Tinka Bakker, Joanna Klopotowska et al. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02465-0

This study analyzed the impact of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) resource allocation during the COVID-19 pandemic on a non-COVID-19 cohort (120.393 patients) in Dutch ICUs. Compared to the prepandemic period cohort (164.737 patients), the pandemic cohort had lower number of non-COVID patients (27% lower), fewer medical patients (3% lower), fewer comorbidities (4% lower), more vasoactive medication (6% higher), and a slightly higher case-mix adjusted hospital mortality (odds 1.08). Click here for more information.

Sylvia Brinkman, Nicolette de Keizer et al. DOI: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000006156