(C-114) Enhancing Pharmacy Practice: The Impact of Clinical Decision Support Systems in Reducing Drug-Related Issues

Background: Drug-related problems (DRPs) have a significant impact on a patient's medication therapy outcomes. A clinical decision support system (CDSS) is a healthcare-based software system that provides clinical advice and alerts to enhance decision-making and health outcomes in patient care. The integration of CDSS into pharmacy practice has led to more accurate and efficient medication management. Healthcare professionals have reported greater confidence in their clinical decisions, resulting in better patient care and outcomes.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) in mitigating drug-related problems within pharmacy practice. By analyzing the integration and utilization of CDSS, the study seeks to determine how these systems can enhance patient safety, improve medication management, and support clinical decision-making processes in various healthcare settings.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of electronic health records (EHR) in a well reputed hospital setting in Saudi Arabia, to identify instances of drug-related problems (DRPs) before and after the implementation of CDSS. This includes data on medication errors, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) etc. within a span of 6 years from 2018 to 2024.

Results: Analysis of electronic health records (EHR) prior to the implementation of CDSS revealed a significant number of drug-related problems (DRPs). These included medication errors, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Following the introduction of CDSS, a marked reduction in the frequency and severity of DRPs was observed. The significant reduction in DRPs post-implementation underscores the effectiveness of CDSS in enhancing patient safety and improving clinical outcomes. By providing real-time alerts and recommendations, CDSS helps healthcare professionals identify potential medication errors and interactions before they occur. Implementing CDSS can lead to significant cost savings for healthcare institutions. By preventing medication errors and reducing the incidence of adverse drug reactions, CDSS helps in minimizing hospital readmissions and the associated costs. Future research could further explore the economic impact of CDSS on healthcare systems.

Conclusions: The study demonstrates that CDSS significantly reduces the occurrence of drug-related problems and enhances the overall quality of healthcare delivery. Continued efforts to refine and optimize these systems will further improve their effectiveness and integration into clinical practice.