RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Promoting Safe Prescribing in Primary Care With a Contraceptive Vital Sign: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial JF The Annals of Family Medicine JO Ann Fam Med FD American Academy of Family Physicians SP 516 OP 522 DO 10.1370/afm.1404 VO 10 IS 6 A1 Schwarz, Eleanor Bimla A1 Parisi, Sara M. A1 Williams, Sanithia L. A1 Shevchik, Grant J. A1 Hess, Rachel YR 2012 UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/10/6/516.abstract AB PURPOSE Routine assessment of women's pregnancy intentions and contraceptive use—a so-called contraceptive vital sign—may help primary care physicians identify patients who need preconception or contraceptive counseling and be of particular benefit when teratogenic medications are prescribed. METHODS We conducted a cluster-randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of a contraceptive vital sign on primary care documentation of contraceptive use and change in primary care physicians' provision of family planning services. Academic internists in the intervention group (n = 26) were provided with information on their female patients' pregnancy intentions and contraceptive use immediately before visits; internists in the control group (n = 27) received only standard intake information. Data were abstracted from the electronic health record for 5,371 visits by 2,304 women aged 18 to 50 years. RESULTS Documentation of contraception increased from baseline, from 23% to 57% in the intervention group, but remained 28% in the control group, a change of +77.4 (95% confidence interval [CI], 70.7 to 84.1) adjusted percentage points in the former vs +3.1 (95% CI, 1.2 to 5.0) in the latter (P <.001). For visits involving a teratogenic prescription, documentation increased from 14% to 48% in the intervention group and decreased from 29% to 26% in the control group, a change of +61.5 (95% CI, 35.8 to 87.1) adjusted percentage points in the former vs −0.3 (95% CI, −4.3 to 3.6) in the latter (P <.001). Provision of new family planning services increased only minimally with this intervention, however. When women with documented nonuse of contraception were prescribed potential teratogens, only 7% were provided family planning services. CONCLUSIONS A contraceptive vital sign improves documentation of contraceptive use; however, ongoing efforts are needed to improve provision of preconception and contraceptive services.