Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health disparity between Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders compared with other racial/ethnic groups in the U.S.

AIMS: Our aims were to determine the effectiveness of an electronic health record (EHR) data-driven clinical intervention to improve HBV screening and vaccination rates at a community health center primarily serving Asian American patients.

METHODS: Using a community-engaged approach, we conducted a study to compare the differences in screening and vaccination rates for 6,429 patient encounters before and after implementation of the EHR intervention. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate the effect of the intervention.

RESULTS: Analyses indicated that patients who visited the clinic after implementing the EHR intervention were more likely to be screened (OR=1.8, p<.001) and vaccinated (OR=2.8, p<.001) for hepatitis B.

CONCLUSIONS: Electronic health record interventions implemented using a community-engaged approach may improve delivery of appropriate care to patients at risk for hepatitis B in a community health setting.