Sync for Genes Phase 2 Pilot - Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN)

The primary LVHN genomics focus is to fully integrate relevant genomic sequencing results into structured data fields in the EHR, and by creating this more advanced foundation of genomic/phenotype data, enable the ability to rapidly add real-time pharmacogenomics clinical decision support to other types of care. This will support clinical orders, clinical documentation, and EHR alerts and allow LVHN to assess if various medication orders could be supported with pharmacogenomics tools accessing genomic sequencing results. LVHN also attempted to address the receipt and access to the basic genomic sequencing results (VCF, BAM, CRAM files) by creating a database / repository to hold these files and link them to the EHR as LVHN has done with clinical PACS systems. 

With respect to pharmacogenomics LVHN reviewed FDA data on genetic implications to develop a list of medications to include. LVHN used other factors such as cost avoidance to determine what medications would be part of the pilot. In learning how to set up the EHR LVHN determined medications should be pared with appropriate genomic test. LVHN reported that ordering physicians have skepticism on pharmacogenomics and would like to have increased education and support for providers.