EHR Nudge Boosts Gynecologic Oncology Referrals, Speeds Diagnosis of Early Ovarian Cancer

A pilot study from the University of Pennsylvania found that an electronic health record (EHR) nudge to prompt gynecologic oncology referral for suspected ovarian cancer increased referral rates from 55% to 75% and led to earlier diagnoses, including four stage I cancers. The intervention also cut referral time in half, from 20 to 10 days.

The study, presented by Anna Jo Smith, MD, MPH, addressed a critical gap in ovarian cancer care, where nearly one-third of patients are never referred to a gynecologic oncologist despite evidence that specialist care improves survival.