Impact of a Clinical Information System on hospital outcomes for adults with chronic diseases

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a retrospective, observational study using routinely collected data from Alberta Health Services to see if the Connect Care Clinical Information System changes outcomes for adults with chronic diseases. The analysis uses a multiple-baseline interrupted time series approach across sites, comparing pre- and post-implementation periods for five conditions: diabetes, coronary artery disease, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and chronic lung disease. Primary outcome is the composite of unplanned readmission or death within 30 days of discharge; secondary outcomes include the individual components, length of stay, and patient experience with care transitions. The study includes data from 2019 to 2024 and analyzes observations recorded before and after CIS deployment at each site. Eligible participants are adults hospitalized in Alberta who survive to discharge and meet disease definitions based on ICD codes, labs, or pharmacy data.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults aged 18 years or older at the time of hospital admission.
* Residents of Alberta eligible to receive acute-care services in AHS facilities.
* Hospitalized for any cause during the study period (5 years pre-implementation and 2 years post-implementation of the CIS).
* Meet the validated case definition for one or more of the five key NCDs (diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, coronary artery disease, heart failure, or chronic lung disease) based on ICD codes, laboratory measures, or pharmacy records during standardized lookback periods (up to 5 years for diagnoses; up to 1 year for labs/pharmacy).
* Have a qualifying date for the NCD(s) that occurs prior to or during the index hospital admission.
* Eligible for inclusion in the primary and patient experience outcomes if they survive to hospital discharge.
* May enter multiple sub-cohorts if more than one NCD is present.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Individuals younger than 18 years at the time of hospital admission.
* Non-residents of Alberta or individuals not eligible for care within AHS facilities.
* Hospitalizations that end in death (excluded from analyses of the primary outcome and patient experience measures).
* Patients without evidence of any of the five key NCDs during the lookback period or at the index hospital admission.
* Admissions outside the study period or admissions for which necessary administrative, laboratory, or pharmacy data are unavailable.

Where it's running

• University of Calgary
  Calgary, Alberta, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Matthew T James, MD, PhD — University of Calgary
• Study coordinator: Nusrat S Shommu, PhD
• Email: nsshommu@ucalgary.ca
• Phone: 4032103991

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.