Describe the type of technologies used in CDS to assist the provider in making quicker and more impactful patient care decisions.

Assignment Question

The ONC supports the use of clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) to improve patient safety and healthcare decision-making. On the national front, organizations such as AHRQ and the CDC provide resources for clinicians to use in the implementation of CDSS.

CSRA Healthcare is a multi-specialty outpatient clinic that provides healthcare services to inner-city residents. The patient population includes low-income individuals with a myriad of chronic conditions. To meet the requirements of a federal qualified health center (FQHC) and to better serve the needs of their patients, the clinic is adding a CDSS to their existing practice EHR.

They need a system that will alert them to common issues such as drug allergies and contraindications, abnormal vitals, wellness screenings, as well as other variables. The office manager has done some research on CDSS and is concerned that the physicians will either ignore the alerts or get alert fatigue. She presented her concerns to the physicians, and they requested she prepare a plan to implement the CDSS and address the concerns. Address the following questions: Identify the characteristics of a clinical decision support system.

Describe the type of technologies used in CDS to assist the provider in making quicker and more impactful patient care decisions.

Discuss the potential advantages to implementing a CDS. Extra Credit: Address ways to combat alert fatigue and/or ignoring alerts and reminders.