Considerations for Designing EHR-Embedded Clinical Decision Support Systems for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Pediatric Emergency Departments

Objective This study was aimed to explore the intersection between organizational environment, workflow, and technology in pediatric emergency departments (EDs) and how these factors impact antibiotic prescribing decisions. Methods Semistructured interviews with 17 providers (1 fellow and 16 attending faculty), and observations of 21 providers (1 physician assistant, 5 residents, 3 fellows, and 12 attendings) were conducted at three EDs in the United States. We analyzed interview transcripts and observation notes using thematic analysis. Results Seven themes relating to antibiotic prescribing decisions emerged as follows: (1) professional judgement, (2) cognition as a critical individual resource, (3) decision support as a critical organizational resource, (4) patient management with imperfect information, (5) information-seeking as a primary task, (6) time management, and (7) broad process boundaries of antibiotic prescribing. Discussion The emerging interrelated themes identified in this study can be used as a blueprint to design, implement, and evaluate clinical decision support (CDS) systems that support antibiotic prescribing in EDs. The process boundaries of antibiotic prescribing are broader than the current boundaries covered by existing CDS systems. Incongruities between process boundaries and CDS can under-support clinicians and lead to suboptimal decisions. We identified two incongruities: (1) the lack of acknowledgment that the process boundaries go beyond the physical boundaries of the ED and (2) the lack of integration of information sources (e.g., accessibility to prior cultures on an individual patient outside of the organization). Conclusion Significant opportunities exist to improve appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing by considering process boundaries in the design, implementation, and evaluation of CDS systems.