Improving Liver Disease Diagnosis in the Emergency Department

This study, called STIRRED, aims to improve how a common liver condition called hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) is identified and managed in the emergency department (ED). Often, fatty liver is found on imaging but not fully addressed. The study uses a special computer system (STIRRED intervention) that alerts ED doctors to fatty liver findings when you're being discharged. This system also helps doctors understand your risk and recommends follow-up care. We want to see if this system helps more high-risk patients get a diagnosis related to fatty liver disease within 120 days after leaving the ED. You might be able to join if you are 18 or older, have fatty liver found on an ED imaging study, are discharged home from the ED, and this is your first ED visit at Northwestern Medicine during the study period with this finding. You cannot join if you are admitted to the hospital, under 18, or already have certain liver diseases.

Study design
This is an interventional study with a planned enrollment of 4704 participants. It tests a behavioral intervention for ED clinicians.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The study will track if you receive a new liver disease-related diagnosis within 120 days after being discharged from the ED.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06944353

Improving Diagnostic Safety Through STeatosis Identification, Risk Stratification, and Referral in the ED

Enrolling by Invitation
NAAges 18+InterventionalHealth services
Northwestern University
~4,704 participants
Updated 2026-05-29 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:STIRRED

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Effectiveness: New steatotic liver disease-related diagnosis among high-risk patients
Measured over 120 days post-ED discharge
+1 more outcome measured
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Steatosis of Liver
Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

NCT06944353

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Northwestern Memorial Hospital

    Chicago, Illinoisno site contact published

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

  • Amy V Kontrick, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Northwestern University
  • Danielle M McCarthy, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Northwestern University

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

imaging finding of hepatic steatosis on ED imaging study
discharged from the ED to home
first Northwestern Medicine ED visit in the study period with a hepatic steatosis finding

Exclusion

admitted to the hospital
age \< 18
pre-existing Liver Disease diagnosis (Liver Cancer, HCV, HBV, Cirrhosis, NAFLD/MASLD/NASH/MASH, Alcohol Liver Disease, PSC, PBC and autoimmune hepatitis)
  • Effectiveness: New steatotic liver disease-related diagnosis among high-risk patients120 days post-ED discharge

    For patients at high risk for liver fibrosis, The investigators will evaluate for new steatotic liver disease related ICD codes.

  • Implementation: Intervention fidelityBaseline at time of intervention delivery

    Fidelity is the degree to which the STIRRED CDSS was delivered as intended. Fidelity will be evaluated across four components: 1. hepatic steatosis added to the ED discharge diagnoses; 2. hepatic steatosis patient education provided; 3. ED adoption of confirming that the clinicians have informed the patient of the new finding; and 4. ED adoption of placing referral and/or recommendation for follow-up (distinct from routing the message to PCP). The Investigators will analyze individual components and a composite score of 0-4 that combines these outcomes. The fidelity components and their composite score (0-4) will be audited monthly from 3 months prior to implementation to 3 months after implementation.