Requirements Analysis for a Clinical Decision Support System Aiming at Improving the Artificial Nutrition of Critically Ill Patients.

BACKGROUND: Nutrition support is an important aspect regarding the care of critically ill patients. Malnutrition affects the recovery process negatively. However, the impact on the clinical outcome is often underestimated in complex clinical settings due to several factors hindering optimization of nutrition.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the requirements for a clinical decision support system that enables the medical staff to improve its patients' nutritional status.

METHODS: A literature review and interviews with two senior physicians were conducted to refine the requirements for the support system as well as to determine the inclusion criteria for a subsequent intervention study.

RESULTS: The analysis resulted in: (i) the identification of 4 measurement parameters for the assessment of the nutrition status; (ii) the graphical layout in adherence to the standards-based implementation approach for the creation of multi-patient dashboards; (iii) the definition of the study group. The nutrition dashboard will be implemented and integrated based on the set requirements, followed by an intervention study evaluating the dashboard's efficacy.