Decision Support Tools, Essay Example

Introduction

The use of CDS has become widespread around the United States and abroad. Many physicians are using forms of CDS’s because they help to improve the decisions and outcomes that they make. Receiving proper healthcare is dependent upon having speedy access to accurate information. The use of CDS will ensure that patients receive the best possible care with the fewest errors.

Types of CDS

One type of CDS is solicited information. With this type, the clinician solicits information from the system. Two of the most popular CDS systems are MYCIN and QMR. The clinician can enter data and history about the patient into this MYCIN, system and in return the clinician receives a specific recommendation of the amount of antibiotic the patient needs. This particular system was never widely used because the maintenance of the system required extra work for the clinician. The QMR system uses an ingenious algorithm that takes historical and physical findings and outputs a diagnosis. This too, was time consuming because a clinician had to enter all of the data the system used(Wang, Wan, Burke, D., et al, 2005). Another type of CDS is called unsolicited information. One type of unsolicited information is the computerized physician order entry (CPOE). This system allows the clinician to input data and the system orders medications and tests. This system helps to decrease the incidence of unnecessary tests.  The patient portal is a system that makes scheduling appointments and requesting refills easier. This saves time and energy for both the patient and the clinician.   Finally, disease management systems are used to assist the clinician with complex treatments of conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and hypertension.

CDS Tools Used In Practice

Within my healthcare management team, we use various types of decision support software to help meet the individual needs of our patients. The use of these software systems has been instrumental in assisting our facility in providing quality care to our patients. The size of the facility does not have any bearing on its ability to effectively use these systems. These systems can be tailored to fit hospitals, healthcare units, and even small community clinics(Hung, 2005). Many clinicians in private practice even use CDS to better serve their patients. The most desired feature of the CDS systems is its e-learning. This software is interchangeable and can be used alone or with a customized system. Currently, we are in the process of implementing a software program that will allow patients to receive support via the Internet. The system will be able to assist patients with illness and condition management for chronic illnesses. The patients will be able to view toxicology information. Most importantly, clinicians will have real time access to patient data and medication coordination.

The Benefits of CDS

Many clinicians agree that CDS has been a great asset. Physicians agree that electronic health records are improving the quality and convenience of services they render by improving accuracy in diagnoses, and coordination between health care providers. For example,

“Healthcare is increasingly mediated by technology, and the implementation of CISs represents a new era of technological possibilities. As more sophisticated systems to manage patient information become available, there are rising expectations that these CISs will achieve outcomes for systems, users, managers, and patients. These outcomes, in turn, are expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare services” (Gruber, Cummings, LeBlanc, & Smith, 2009)

CDS systems allow clinicians to have accurate up-to-date medical records for their patients speeding up prognoses and the recovery process. The use of CDS systems ensures that patients, clinicians, and pharmacist have open lines of communication. A recent study conducted in the United Kingdom reported that about 79 percent of healthcare workers conveyed that forms of CDS (electronic health records) helps clinicians by increasing and improving health care quality (Layman, 2008).

References

Gruber, D., Cummings, G., Leblanc, L., & D. Smith (2009). Factors influencing outcomes of clinical information systems implementation. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing (27), 3. 151-163.

Hung, P.K. (2005). Towards a privacy access control model for e-health services. Faculty of Business and Information Technology. University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Canada.

Layman, E. (2008). Ethical issues and the electronic health record. The Health Care Manager, (27) 2. 165-167.

Wang, B., Wan, T., Burke, D., et al., (2005). Factors influencing health information system  adoption in american hospitals. Health Care Management Review 30(1), 44-51.