please respond to the following discussion post as a peer making a comment. According to Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), clinical decision support systems provides information, usually at the point of care, to help inform decisions about patient’s care. Clinical decision support can effectively improve patient outcomes and lead to higher-quality healthcare,(AHRQ,2019). Clinical decision systems (CDS) provides timely information to clinicians, and patients to inform decisions about health care.
Clinical decision tools include order sets created for particular conditions or types of patients, recommendations, and databases that provide information relevant to particular patients, reminders for preventive care, and alerts about potentially dangerous situations, (AHRQ,2019)
For instance alerts can inform clinicians of duplicate orders which can be lab work or medications which assist clinicians to act accordingly when alerts have appeared. The example given will prevent unnecessary costs on the patient by having duplicate orders done and later being charged. During practice i have came across duplicate medication orders but ordered on different routes of administration like same medication being ordered as iv and oral, the system built in the computers will alternatively cancel the other route each time the nurse wants to administer that particular medication.
Reference.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) 2019. Clinical Decision Support Systems.
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Introduction:
Clinical decision support systems (CDSS) have become increasingly popular in healthcare for providing information to clinicians and patients at the point of care. These systems have been known to improve patient outcomes and increase the quality of healthcare. The following response will provide insights on the benefits of CDSS and its practical application from personal experience.
Response:
I completely agree with the statement that clinical decision support systems (CDSS) are crucial for providing timely and effective information to clinicians and patients. The use of order sets, recommendations, and databases can reduce errors and alert clinicians about potentially dangerous situations, which can ultimately improve patient outcomes. As mentioned in the post, alerts can assist clinicians in preventing unnecessary costs and errors in patient care, such as duplicate orders.
Moreover, the practical application of CDSS can be seen in electronic medical records (EMRs). EMRs are equipped with built-in clinical decision support tools that prompt clinicians to order appropriate diagnostic tests, screen patients for specific conditions, and suggest treatment plans based on patient information. In my experience, the use of EMRs has been very helpful in improving patient safety by reducing errors in medication administration and facilitating prompt diagnosis and treatment.
In conclusion, CDSS is an essential tool in healthcare that can improve patient safety and increase the overall quality of care. The practical application of CDSS, such as through EMRs, can be very beneficial for clinicians and patients alike.
