Implementation of a clinical decision support system using a service model: results of a feasibility study.
Numerous studies have shown that the quality of health care is inadequate, and healthcare organizations are increasingly turning to clinical decision support systems (CDSS) to address this problem. In implementing CDSS, a highly promising architectural approach is the use of decision support services. However, there are few reported examples of successful implementations of operational CDSS using this approach. Here, we describe how Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires evaluated the feasibility of using the SEBASTIAN clinical decision support Web service to implement a CDSS integrated with its electronic medical record system. The feasibility study consisted of three stages: first, end-user acceptability testing of the proposed CDSS through focus groups; second, the design and implementation of the system through integration of SEBASTIAN and the authoring of new rules; and finally, validation of system performance and accuracy. Through this study, we found that it is feasible to implement CDSS using a service-based approach. The CDSS is now under evaluation in a randomized controlled trial. The processes and lessons learned from this initiative are discussed.
Borbolla
Damian
D
Department of Health Informatics, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina. damian.borbolla@hiba.org.ar
Otero
Carlos
C
Lobach
David F
DF
Kawamoto
Kensaku
K
Gomez Saldaño
Ana M
AM
Staccia
Gustavo
G
Lopez
Gastón
G
Figar
Silvana
S
Luna
Daniel
D
Bernaldo de Quiros
Fernan Gonzalez
FG
D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006748:Hospital Departments; D020407:Internet