Clinical Decision Support Systems
Create a “Pros” versus “Cons” table with a column for “Pro” and a separate column for “Con”. Include at least 3 items for each column. Next to each item, provide a brief rationale as to why you included it on the respective list.
The primary goal of a CDSS is to leverage data and the scientific evidence to help guide appropriate decision making. CDSSs directly assist the clinician in making decisions about specific patients. For this discussion thread post, you are to assume your future role as an APN and create a clinical patient and scenario to illustrate an exemplary depiction of how a CDSS might influence your decision. This post is an opportunity for you to be innovative, so have fun!
Sample Answer
Pros and Cons of Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS)
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Improved Quality of Care: | Alert Fatigue: |
– CDSS can alert clinicians to potential drug interactions, contraindications, and other safety concerns, reducing the risk of errors and improving patient outcomes. | – Overreliance on alerts can lead to alert fatigue, where clinicians ignore or dismiss important warnings due to information overload. |
Evidence-Based Practice: | Limited Adaptability: |
Increased Efficiency: | Implementation Costs: |
Enhanced Patient Engagement: | Data Privacy Concerns: |
Scenario:
Patient: 72-year-old woman with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a history of heart failure.
Situation: The patient presents with worsening shortness of breath and increased sputum production. You suspect a COPD exacerbation but are unsure about the optimal medication dosage due to her heart failure history.