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Decision Support: Equipping Providers with the Right Tools
Tina Ellis Coyle, Information Systems, Information Systems, Marshfield Clinic, 1000 North Oak Avenue, Marshfield, WI, USA
BACKGROUND:
The Regional Early Childhood Immunization Network (RECIN) is an Internet-based, real-time immunization registry deployed in public and private provider offices in 23 Wisconsin counties. RECIN development staff created an interactive decision support system, which assists providers in deciphering the complicated rules of the immunization schedule when vaccinating patients of all ages. Utilization of this decision support prevents administration of unnecessary and/or untimely immunizations.
OBJECTIVE:
Demonstrate that administration of immunizations within the proper intervals can be aided by the use of immunization registries and the use of decision support tools.
METHOD:
Providers and ancillary staff were surveyed to determine what they perceived as the major stumbling blocks with regard to immunizing patients within the proper intervals according to the standard immunization schedule. Based on feedback gained, an interactive decision support system was created to enhance the provider’s ability to decipher the complexities of the immunization schedule based on the current age of the patient and their previous immunization history.
RESULT:
Providers welcomed this new functionality with overwhelming support. Aided by the interactive ability to determine when it appropriate and not appropriate to immunize based on the standard schedule, the number of invalid doses being administered by providers has declined.
CONCLUSION:
As the immunization schedule becomes increasingly complex it is imperative that registries are equipped with decision support tools to enhance provider’s ability to immunize patients within proper intervals. RECIN’s ability to communicate decision support to providers and ancillary staff in an interactive manner saves them time and prevents over/under immunization for their patients.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Understand the basic framework through which decision support is communicated to providers.
2. Understand the benefits of creating robust registries to include decision support logic.
Web Page: www.recin.org
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