Clinical decision support systems in nursing: synthesis of the science for evidence-based practice

Comput Inform Nurs. 2008 May-Jun;26(3):151-8. doi: 10.1097/01.NCN.0000304783.72811.8e.

Abstract

The aim of this article is to present a synthesis of the research literature on the state of nursing science regarding the development, use, and application of clinical decision support systems for the implementation of evidence-based practice in nursing. The authors sought to answer three specific questions in this metasynthesis: (1) What progress has nursing science made regarding the development and use of clinical decision support systems?; (2) What research methods and theoretical models are being applied by nurse researchers in this area?; and (3)Are there evidence-adaptive clinical decision support systems designed specifically to aid nurses' decisions related to evidence-based practice? Of 183 articles, 17 were included in the final analysis, and six were specific for clinical decision support systems to aid nurses in evidence-based practice. Implications for practice are considered, and recommendations for future research are made.

MeSH terms

  • Decision Support Systems, Clinical*
  • Evidence-Based Medicine*
  • Nursing Informatics*
  • Triage / methods