Assessment 1 Instructions: CDS Functions, Users, and Patient Outcomes
Create a slide presentation (20 minutes; 12-15 slides) on clinical decision support (CDS) systems for a new hire
orientation. Address CDS functions, users, and the distinctions among coded, non-coded, structured, and
unstructured EHR data entry. Include audio recording and speaker notes with presentation.
Clinical decision support (CDS) systems have been a discussion topic in the health care and research communities for
the past 20 or 30 years. While these systems have demonstrated potential, few have been implemented in a health
care setting. A CDS system is actually multiple solutions and technologies with the underlying goal of transforming
health care data into useful information.
A CDS system, or intervention, is an application that analyzes data to assist health care providers in making clinical
decisions. Most CDS applications are components of electronic health record systems. They can also, however, stand
alone. A number of types of CDS systems exist along with various tools to enhance the decision-making
process. Some CDS systems support administrative activities. Others involve clinical details and protocols and
treatment processes.
A successful CDS system implementation requires the ability to identify CDS end-users and their roles in mitigating
risks and issues. Another critical factor in successful CDS system implementations is the ability to select a CDS
system that supports organizational goals and stakeholders.
Now, imagine that you are a data analyst. The HIM director has asked you to deliver a presentation on the CDS
system at a new hire orientation. The HIM director hopes your presentation can provide new hires with a solid
foundational understanding of a CDS system, or intervention. In particular, she wants you to address CDS functions
and the importance of CDS users. These individuals are critical to system acceptance, resolution of system issues,
and other performance strategies. In your presentation, you will want to incorporate what you have learned in the
EHR Go preparatory activities that are part of this assessment. In addition, you will be submitting a voice-over
narration with your slides and speaker notes.
Demonstration of Proficiency
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the course competencies
through the following assessment scoring guide criteria:
Competency 1: Examine analytics and decision support.
Describe CDS systems’ functions and users.
Distinguish between coded, non-coded, structured, and unstructured data entry in the EHR.
Evaluate the clinical implications of structured versus unstructured data entry in the EHR.
Explain how clinical decision support functions contribute to patient outcomes.
Competency 6: Communicate effectively in a professional manner.
Create a clear, well organized, professional presentation that is generally free of errors in grammar,
punctuation, and spelling.
Follow APA style and formatting guidelines for citations and references.
Course Navigation
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Preparation
EHR Go
As soon as your faculty member provides the information you need, create an account to access the EHR activities
planned for the course. If you need help with your EHR Go account, please contact the EHR Go help desk or phone
at 1-877-907-2186. Direct questions related to the content of the learning activities to your faculty member.
Before beginning your assessment, do all the assigned EHR course activities. This will help to ensure you have the
skills and experience necessary to complete the assessment. Also, as you use various EHR applications, pay
attention to your experiences and lessons learned. This information will inform your completion of the assessment.
Complete these specific EHR Go activities for Assessment 1:
This first activity introduces basic navigational skills to review and enter data in an EHR.
EHR Go: EHR Orientation.
This second activity focuses on what the EHR can do and how it can be used.
EHR Go: The Power of the EHR for CDS.
You will need information from these two activities to complete your first assessment.
Independent Research
If you are less familiar with EHRs and CDS systems, you may wish to conduct additional independent research. The
suggested resources provide a good starting point. You may also wish to consult the Health Care Administration
Undergraduate Library Research Guide for research tips and help in identifying current, scholarly, and/or
authoritative sources.
Audio Recording of Your Presentation
To prepare for the audio recording of your presentation:
Set up and test your microphone or headset using the installation instructions provided by the
manufacturer. You only need to use the headset if your audio is not clear and high quality when captured by
the microphone.
Practice using the equipment to ensure the audio quality is sufficient.
Microsoft PowerPoint allows you to record your narration with your slides. If you choose to record your
presentation using this tool, simply submit your presentation to the appropriate area of the courseroom. Your
narration will be included with your slides.
Consult the Using Kaltura [PDF] for guidance in how to record your presentation and upload it in the
courseroom if you elect not to use Microsoft PowerPoint to submit your slides and narration.
Instructions
As a data analyst, you are ready to begin work on a task your boss, the HIM director, assigned to you. You will
deliver a presentation on the CDS system at the new hire orientation. In particular, your boss wants you to
emphasize CDS functions and the importance of CDS users. These are the individuals who are critical to system
acceptance, resolution of system issues, and so on.
You have a total of 30 minutes for your presentation (20 minutes = presentation; 10 minutes = Q & A). You expect it
will take 12- to 15-slides to cover your content. You also want to keep in mind that these new hires may be a
bit overwhelmed by the volume of information that has been presented to them since they started. With this in
mind, you plan to make sure that your slides are not too text heavy and know that you will include additional
information in your speaker notes. Your speaker notes will spell out what you will say during the presentation. The
slides will cover the highlights.
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You also want to be sure to incorporate examples in your presentation to illustrate your points. You plan to liberally
make use of what you’ve learned in the EHR Go activities for this assessment and the independent research you’ve
conducted on CDS systems. From past experience, you know your boss always wants to know the source of your
information, so you will make sure to include references to current, scholarly, and/or authoritative sources.
Here is the outline you’ve prepared for your presentation that your boss has approved. You’re now ready to begin
building your presentation.
Welcome (1 slide)
How will you open your presentation in a way that engages your audience? For example, consider a
compelling quote, a startling fact or statistic, or a thought-provoking question
CDS Systems Definition (1 slide)
What is a CDS System?
CDS Functions and Users (2–3 slides)
What are the three to five major functions of a CDS system?
Who are the main users of CDS systems?
How do these users contribute to successful CDS system implementation and usage?
CDS Functions’ Contribution to Patient Outcomes (1 slide)
How do CDS functions contribute to patient outcomes?
Coded vs. Non-Coded vs. Structured vs. Unstructured EHR Data Entry (4 slides)
What is coded data entry? Why is this important to new hires? (1 slide).
What is non-coded data entry? Why is this important to new hires? (1 slide).
What is structured data entry? Why is this important to new hires? (1 slide).
What is unstructured data entry? Why is this important to new hires? (1 slide).
How can you present this information in a table, chart, graphic, et cetera to help new hires keep these terms
straight? (1 slide).
Clinical Implications of Structured vs. Unstructured Data Entry (1 slide)
What are the clinical implications of structured vs. unstructured data entry?
Key Takeaways (1 slide)
What are the three or four most critical takeaways that you want new hires to retain from your presentation?
Closing (1 slide)
What do you anticipate are the three to five questions new hires will have about your presentation?
Note: This will help prepare you to respond effectively to the new hires’ questions.
References (1 slide)
What credible resources did you draw on for your presentation in case new hires want to learn more?
Additional Requirements
Format: Slide deck with 12–15 slides and speaker notes. Include your voice-over narration (maximum of 20
minutes) with your slides.
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Visuals: Balance visuals and text in your slides. Incorporate appropriate charts, graphs, tables, diagrams,
pictures, visuals, et cetera to help convey your message. Avoid making your slides too text heavy. Place
additional information in your speaker notes.
APA: Follow APA style and formatting guidelines for citations and references. This guide is a good refresher
on APA style and formatting guidelines: APA Style and Format.
Writing: Create a clear, well organized, professional presentation that is generally free of errors in grammar,
punctuation, and spelling.
SCORING GUIDE
Use the scoring guide to understand how your assessment will be evaluated.
VIEW SCORING GUIDE