Overcoming limitations of data entry for the semi-automated detection of drug orphans in the EMR.

Sophisticated decision support systems (DSS) can reduce preventable medical errors. A standalone DSS prototype was built to identify drug-disease mismatches in the electronic medical record (EMR). When drugs fail to match a known problem on the problem list (drug orphans), either the problem list is deficient or the drug was ordered in error. We tested the performance of an integrated DSS prototype by improving the data exchange with the standalone DSS prototype. By implementing a screen capture tool, we were able to accelerate data entry into the DSS prototype through the semi-automated operation. Preliminary results revealed a marked increase in the rate of data entry during testing the DSS prototype.The accelerated data entry streamlines workflow and promotes physician's acceptance of the DSS.