Clinical decision support (CDS) systems refer to a variety of computer-based tools and software that health care professionals, including nurses, can use to inform the choices they make at the point of care. CDS systems are informatics tools that are aimed at increasing the effectiveness and quality of health care by connecting evidence, best practices, and knowledge with decisions made in the practice setting. Because of its focus on improving outcomes, CDS is included as one of the core components of meaningful use in the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act.
In this Discussion, you analyze the elements that can influence the design of a CDS system. You also assess the benefits of CDS and identify challenges that may occur in practice related to a CDS system.
To prepare
Review the information in this week’s Learning Resources on CDS systems. Reflect on why and how these systems are used in health care organizations and specific practice settings.
Search in the Walden Library for an article on a specific CDS system that has recently been researched, implemented, or evaluated. The article you select must have a publication date within the past 3 years (SEE ARTICLE ATTACHED IN FILE AREA)
Consider the requirements and guidelines (meaningful use, evidence-based practice guidelines, organizational regulations, core measures, etc.) that influenced the design of the CDS system.
Reflect on the benefits of using this CDS system in a practice setting. Why would an organization implement this specific system? What organizational, legal, or practice-related needs or issues does the system address?
Reflect on the practice-related problems that the system caused or could cause. For example, do you see an issue with alert fatigue, with too few alerts, with override capabilities, or with some other aspect of the system?
Post by tomorrow 09/06/2016, a 550 words essay in APA format with a minimum of 3 references from the list provided under required readings. Apply the level 1 headings as numbered below:
1) A brief summary of the CDS system highlighted in the article you selected, including the practice setting in which it can be or was used and the requirements and guidelines that influenced its design. (SEE ARTICLE ATTACHED IN FILE AREA)
2) Explain the benefits of the CDS system to the practice setting.
3) Identify potential problems that could or did arise related to the CDS system
Required Readings
Bredemeyer, J., & Androwich, I. (2012). Transitional research: Generating evidence for practice. In D. McGonigle & K. G. Mastrian (Eds.), Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (pp. 471–485). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett. (SEE ATTACHED FILES FOR THESE PAGES)
This chapter describes information gathering and application processes of translational research. The authors also identify the importance of self-critique and persistent answer-seeking in evidence-based practice.
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2015). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
Ensuring the safety of patients is the responsibility of everyone within a health care organization. This chapter analyzes the role that technological advancements in information storage and delivery plays in supporting safety practices.
Brokel, J. M. (2009). Infusing clinical decision support interventions into electronic health records. Urologic Nursing, 29(5), 345–352.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This article describes a variety of decision support systems interventions that are available to nurses while using electronic health records. The author suggests how these interventions can be used by nurses for assessments, for diagnosing problems and identifying preferences, for performing interventions, and for evaluating outcomes.
Glaser, J. (2008). Clinical decision support: The power behind the electronic health record. Healthcare Financial Management, 62(7), 46–48, 50–51.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
In this article, the author considers the impact that clinical decision support has on patient care by establishing the relationship between EHR-based patient care and CDS-based applications.
Kesselheim, A. S., Cressweel, K., Phansalkar, S., Bates, D. W., & Shiekh, A. (2011). Clinical decision support systems could be modified to reduce “alert fatigue” while still minimizing the risk of litigation. Health Affairs, 30(12), 2310–2317.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Clinical decision support (CDS) systems implemented to assist health care personnel with decision making help health care organizations use their resources most effectively. This article deals specifically with the ways CDSSs can help health care organizations save money.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.). National Guideline Clearinghouse. Retrieved January 2, 2014, from http://www.guideline.gov/
NGC is a public resource for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Provided by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) a part of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Hammond, W. E., Jaffe, C., & Kush, R. D. (2009). Healthcare standards development: The value of nurturing collaboration. Journal of AHIMA, 80(7), 44–52. Retrieved from http://library.ahima.org/xpedio/groups/public/documents/ahima/bok1_043995.hcsp?dDocName=bok1_043995
The authors examine how standards developing organizations (SDOs) collaborate to create technical standards. Those standards clarify communication between health care personnel and improve patient care.
McMaster University. (2012). Evidence-based practice resources. Retrieved from http://hsl.mcmaster.ca/resources/topic/eb/
This collection of resources on evidence-based practice (EBP) covers basic information about its methodologies. This includes a list of useful references, charts, and definitions pertaining to different facets of EBP application in health care organizations.
