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Issues of decision support in institutional pharmacy systems
1Dept. of Pharm., Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Pharmacy Practice Management Quarterly
|March 8, 1998
Summary
Implementing pharmacy decision support systems presents challenges in database management and alert systems. Pharmacists should create population-based and patient-level value-adding systems.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacy Informatics
- Clinical Decision Support
- Health Information Systems
Background:
- Institutional pharmacy information systems are crucial for medication management.
- Decision support systems (DSS) integrated within these systems offer potential benefits but face implementation hurdles.
- Effective database building and configuration are foundational for DSS functionality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the challenges associated with implementing and maintaining decision support systems in institutional pharmacy settings.
- To review fundamental principles of database construction and system configuration for pharmacy DSS.
- To highlight issues related to common alert functionalities and dose-ranging programs within pharmacy DSS.
Main Methods:
- Review of database building and configuration principles relevant to pharmacy DSS.
- Discussion of common alert system challenges: allergy, drug interactions, drug-food, and duplicate therapy.
- Analysis of challenges specific to dose-ranging programs in pharmacy decision support.
Main Results:
- Implementation and maintenance of pharmacy DSS involve significant challenges.
- Common alert systems (allergy, drug interactions, drug-food, duplicate therapy) present specific issues.
- Dose-ranging programs within pharmacy DSS also pose implementation difficulties.
Conclusions:
- Pharmacists must address the complexities of DSS implementation and maintenance.
- Developing population-based DSS and systems enhancing individual patient care is encouraged.
- Strategic development of pharmacy DSS can improve medication safety and efficacy.