Analysis of Nursing Clinical Decision Support Requests and Strategic Plan in a Large Academic Health System

• Published in: Applied clinical informatics Vol. 7; no. 2; pp. 227 - 237
• Main Authors: Whalen, Kimberly, Bavuso, Karen, Bouyer-Ferullo, Sharon, Goldsmith, Denise, Fairbanks, Amanda, Gesner, Emily, Lagor, Charles, Collins, Sarah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Schattauer GmbH 01.01.2016; Schattauer
• Subjects: Decision Support Systems, Clinical - statistics & numerical data; Decision Support Systems, Clinical - utilization; Humans; Nursing - methods; Research Article; hospital information systems; evidence-based nursing; nursing informatics; clinical decision support; Electronic health records
• ISSN: 1869-0327; 1869-0327
• DOI: 10.4338/ACI-2015-10-RA-0128

Summary Objectives To understand requests for nursing Clinical Decision Support (CDS) interventions at a large integrated health system undergoing vendor-based EHR implementation. In addition, to establish a process to guide both short-term implementation and long-term strategic goals to meet nursing CDS needs. Materials and Methods We conducted an environmental scan to understand current state of nursing CDS over three months. The environmental scan consisted of a literature review and an analysis of CDS requests received from across our health system. We identified existing high priority CDS and paper-based tools used in nursing practice at our health system that guide decision-making. Results A total of 46 nursing CDS requests were received. Fifty-six percent (n=26) were specific to a clinical specialty; 22 percent (n=10) were focused on facilitating clinical consults in the inpatient setting. “Risk Assessments/Risk Reduction/Promotion of Healthy Habits” (n=23) was the most requested High Priority Category received for nursing CDS. A continuum of types of nursing CDS needs emerged using the Data-Information-Knowledge-Wisdom Conceptual Framework: 1) facilitating data capture, 2) meeting information needs, 3) guiding knowledge-based decision making, and 4) exposing analytics for wisdom-based clinical interpretation by the nurse. Conclusion Identifying and prioritizing paper-based tools that can be modified into electronic CDS is a challenge. CDS strategy is an evolving process that relies on close collaboration and engagement with clinical sites for short-term implementation and should be incorporated into a long-term strategic plan that can be optimized and achieved overtime. The Data-Information-Knowledge-Wisdom Conceptual Framework in conjunction with the High Priority Categories established may be a useful tool to guide a strategic approach for meeting short-term nursing CDS needs and aligning with the organizational strategic plan.