OBJECTIVES : The amount of time that lapses between a new drug approval in oncology and the drug’s availability in the electronic health records system for physicians to order has a direct impact on patients’ lives. This assessment will evaluate the iKnowMed (iKM) Electronic Health Records(EHR) system to assess the timeliness of the system updates.

METHODS : The iKM system is web-based electronic health record (EHR) developed in collaboration with community oncologists from the US Oncology Network. iKM utilizes an integrated a regimen support tool called Clear Value Plus which is based on evidence-based treatment options based on NCCN and provides clinical and reimbursement information at the point-of-care. Together these tools were designed to support quality and efficiency of cancer care delivery with an emphasis improve clinical outcomes. The system is updated routinely to reflect new drug approvals based on NCCN guidelines. Thus, to evaluate the impact of the potential time lapse between drug approval and the iKM EHR system update an assessment of 40 new oncology drug approvals/label updates from January 2018 – June 2018 was completed. The duration of time between the NCCN guideline update date and the iKM/CVP update was calculated.

RESULTS : On average the iKM/CVP system was updated within 15 days of the NCCN guideline publication date for new oncology therapies. Of the 40 therapies reviewed, 37.5% (15) were available for the physicians to order within 7 days or less from the NCCN guideline update. Alternatively, roughly 25% (11) were available after 30 days.

CONCLUSIONS : The time from drug approvals being incorporated in NCCN guidelines and being available for physicians to access in the EHR for the majority of drugs was less than 30 days. This provides the opportunity for new treatments to impact on patient outcomes and quality of care.