Case 2 demonstrated another subsystem, the ADE recognition subsystem, in the HELP system which was used in a hospital environment. This subsystem monitors patients incessantly to identify if any adverse drug events (ADE) happen. This is accomplished by examining the patient’s data which was input at the patient’s bedside. Furthermore, the system is on the alert for any indication of rash, altered respiratory rate, heart rate, hearing, mental status, seizure, anaphylaxis, diarrhea, and fever. Moreover, the subsystem is on the lookout for data sent from ancillary locations such as the laboratory and pharmacy, and the medication charting applications. This is imperative to this system because it …show more content…
For example, by employing a manual method to record the number of ADEs which occur at hospitals between May 1, 1988 - May 1, 1989, only 9 ADEs were reported. In contrast, when the automatic ADE recognition CDSS subsystem was employed, it identified 401 ADEs during the time frame from May 1, 1989 - May 1, 1990. As a result, a benefit of the ADEs recognition subsystem is that patients could be treated earlier or watched more closely for the occurrence of any ADE (Berner, 2007).
Another benefit of this subsystem is that the number of severe life-threatening ADEs decreased. Because the subsystem critically evaluates all the data, it picks up immediate changes in the patient’s vital signs or tests that can cause immense harm to the patient. Finding this data early is paramount for a successful outcome. Berner (2007) states that in 1991 and 1992 physicians were informed early about all ADE severity levels. The following year, it was observed that the number of severe ADEs was reduced from 15 to 12 (p<0.001) (Berner, 2007). This study did not explore the disadvantages of the system.
This in itself was a disservice to the