Attribute of Informatics in …show more content…
Examples of such alerting systems are used currently to identify readmissions, sepsis, SIRS, and medication interactions and incompatibilities, to name a few. Drug dosing alerts can detect adverse effects associated with medications. For example, increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke was detected after the release of the medication Vioxx. Data mining can detect these patterns from a large population of patients and facilitate changes to the drug dosing and prescribing regimen to maintain the safety of the patients. This can also help promote greater medication compliance when evidence based practice guidelines can be suggested and followed when appropriate. With the push of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) guidelines for readmissions, facilities can leverage data mining to identify patients that have a greater chance of readmission and intervene to avoid financial penalties. Likewise, patients that have potential for sepsis and SIRS can have early warning alerts to assist the clinicians to detect and treat these serious complications before the patient’s condition …show more content…
I have never intentionally tried to make an error, but as a human, it happens. When a CDS system suggests/warns against an action in my workflow, I pay attention. These alerts were not intended to be nuisance alerts or to present false information, so taking the time to consider what the alert is saying, will potentially prevent an error. Clinical decision support is based on best practice and evidenced based medicine, so implementing these guidelines keeps the clinician up to date with the standards of care. However, you do have to assess the patient and know whether the suggestion is appropriate or not. I have seen first-hand the multitude of errors that CDS has prevented, from medication interactions to suggesting interventions to prevent SIRS based on patient data. CDS will undoubtedly, at some point, prevent an error in a clinician’s career. One prevented error and maintaining patient safety, to me, means that the CDS is doing its job. Any measure that promotes patient safety, is a win in my