4. Differentiate clinical decision support and clinical workflow analysis, modeling, reducing data entry errors, and usability testing for improving end-user experience.

Answer 1

Clinical decision support is achieved through the implementation of protocols. It allows the nurse to use his/her knowledge base to apply a set of protocols to the patient situation. Clinical workflow analysis involves looking at the flow or work needed to move the patient through the system. For example: patients coming into the Emergency Room are triaged. At triage an acuity is assigned and a set of protocol orders implemented. This allows the patient to begin receiving initial treatment earlier and move through the Emergency Room quicker. The use of protocols that pre-populate in the EMR system helps prevent failure to include/consider specific actions. We also have data entry safety when removing a medication from the pyxis (patient name and medication must match what was validated by pharmacy). At the bedside in addition to confirming patient names, DOB, scanning the name band and drug provide yet another safety stop preventing errors in data entry and drug administration