Implementation of an Exercise Prescription SmartPhrase in the Electronic Health Record

<h2>Abstract</h2><h3>Background</h3> Exercise can delay and improve heart failure (HF) progression. Health care providers may be aware of the exercise guidelines; however, implementation for HF patients has been difficult. <h3>Objective</h3> To implement a SmartPhrase in the electronic health record (EHR) to streamline prescription of exercise for HF patients. <h3>Methods</h3> This descriptive quality improvement project recruited 8 nurse practitioners (NPs) from HF clinics to test the methods and measures. <h3>Results</h3> Six (75%) NPs accessed the SmartPhrase during clinic visits and completed questionnaires. NPs rated the SmartPhrase high on acceptability and appropriateness. Feasibility responses varied. <h3>Conclusions</h3> NPs indicated the Exercise Dose SmartPhrase may be more feasible if data to calculate the exercise dose was automatically drawn from the EHR. This is valuable feedback that will be instrumental in refining the SmartPhrase.