Module Components

• Overview
• Assignments

Topics

• Decision Theories
• Clinical Decision Support Systems
• Clinical Decision Support Systems - Examples
• Clinical Decision Support Systems - Benefits and Challenges
• References

Nurs 460 - HEALTH INFORMATICS FOR REGISTERED NURSES

Module 6: Technology to Support Decision-Making

Overview

According to an Institute of Medicine Report (1999), over 98,000 people in the U.S. die each year due to preventable medical errors. Despite aggressive governmental and organizational mandates this number has not decreased much over the past 15 years. Clinical decision support systems are a critical component of the electronic health record. The goal is to provide the right information at the right time in the right location to the right person in order to enhance patient safety and improve care. This module will explore the basic concepts of decision-making as a model for how CDSS’s are designed along with specific technologies that support clinical decision making, error prevention and care coordination.

Objectives

At the conclusion of this module, the learner will be able to:

• Compare and contrast decision-making theories as a basis of clinical decision support systems (CDSS) design.
• Recognize the contribution of information technology in creating a safe care environment and improving patient outcomes.
  
• Discuss technologies that support clinical decision making, error prevention and care coordination.
  
• Apply knowledge of decision support systems and processes to address potential practice issues.

Required Readings

• Alexander, S. Frith, K. H. & Hoy, H. (2024). Applied clinical informatics for nurses (2nd Ed). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett. Read Chapter 12
• Clinical decision support systems: State of the art. Agency for Healthcare Research
  and Quality; 2009 June. Available from: http://healthit.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/docs/page/09-0069-EF_1.pdf
• Demner-Fushman, D., Seckman, C., and Fisher, C. (2013). Continual development of a personalized decision support system. MEDINFO 2013: IMIA and IOS Press, p.p. 175-179. doi: 10.3233/978-1-61499-289-9-175.
  

Recommended Readings:

• Jaspers, M., Smeulers, M., Vermeulen, H., & Peute, L. (2011). Effects of clinical decision support systems on practitioner performance and patient outcomes: A synthesis of high-quality systematic review findings. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association (JAMIA), 18, 327-334.
• Tsai, S., Sun, Y, Taur, F. (2010).Comparing the working time between bar-cod medication administration system and traditional medication administration systems: An observation study. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 79,
  681-689.
• Jennings, B. (2006). The politics of end-of-life decision-making: computerized decision-
  support tools, physicians' jurisdiction and morality. Sociology of Health & Illness, 28, 350-375.

Directions

Read the module and suggested readings within the module. Then complete the assignment for the module.