First Databank Releases Major Enhancements to FDB AlertSpace™ to Improve Medication Alert Management and Decision Support in HIT Systems

AlertSpace Enables Clinicians to Customize a Broader Range of Medication Alert Categories and Takes First Steps Toward Collaboration

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Databank (FDB), a leading provider of clinical drug knowledge that improves medication-related decisions and patient outcomes, announced the release of new types of alert categories available for customization and an introduction of highly-desired collaboration features within its alert management solution, FDB AlertSpace^™. Addressing the challenging industry problem of “alert fatigue” in computerized provider order entry (CPOE) and other HIT systems, AlertSpace provides organizations with the flexibility to customize FDB drug knowledge and use it more effectively within their information system.

“The core functionality of AlertSpace—the ability to customize alerts through an easy to use interface—is one aspect of a multi-pronged strategy to address alert fatigue underway at FDB”

In this most recent release, drug allergy and drug-disease alert customization capabilities were added to AlertSpace for a combined offering that also includes previously available drug-drug interaction and duplicate therapy alert customization. These medication clinical decision support categories address the alerts most commonly overridden in CPOE systems.

Alert customization collaboration tools are also being introduced within AlertSpace which allow users to share knowledge among their peers. For example, clinicians can now view the most commonly customized alerts made by all AlertSpace users, thereby providing a starting point for focusing customization efforts. Additionally, AlertSpace enables users to communicate and collaborate online about customizations within their organization.

FDB developed AlertSpace to improve the usefulness of these alerts for the users of information systems they support. In its first full year on the market, the AlertSpace customer base has grown from a handful of beta sites to several hundred hospitals and long-term care facilities nationwide. At present, live sites include hospitals using Epic or MEDITECH information systems.

Early adopters of AlertSpace are beginning to evaluate the clinical impact of higher specificity alerts on patient outcomes according to Chief Medical Information Officer Michael Hunt, DO, of Mercy Hospital in Chesterfield, Missouri. “Mercy strives to maximize the utilization of our software and coworker talent. Using FDB’s AlertSpace allows Mercy’s coworkers to streamline our management of the drug database and use of medication alerts that supplement our EMR’s functionality.” Added Hunt, “Patient care outcomes need to be evaluated with changes to insure that association of functionality change benefits the patient.”

“We are pleased with the acceptance AlertSpace has received from our customers since its launch,” said Mark Millikan, PharmD, MBA, director of product management, FDB. “The core functionality of AlertSpace—the ability to customize alerts through an easy to use interface—is one aspect of a multi-pronged strategy to address alert fatigue underway at FDB,” continued Millikan. “A key goal is to make our content more clinically relevant for all drug knowledge users, and we are excited to see that alert customization is proving to be an effective strategy toward achieving this goal.”

About First Databank (FDB)

First Databank (FDB) provides drug knowledge that helps healthcare professionals make precise medication-related decisions. With thousands of customers worldwide, FDB enables our information system developer partners to deliver a wide range of valuable, useful, and differentiated solutions. As the company that virtually launched the medication decision support category, we offer more than three decades of experience in transforming drug knowledge into actionable, targeted, and effective solutions that improve patient safety and healthcare outcomes. For a complete look at our solutions and services please visit www.fdbhealth.com