Drug interaction decision support

Since the summer of 2016, Estonian healthcare workers have had access to the drug interaction database and clinical decision support INXBASE, which is linked to the digital prescription centre and is located on the doctor's desktop.

What is this?

The clinical decision support INXBASE assists in making treatment decisions by displaying interaction alerts in the healthcare worker's information system.

The aim is to integrate evidence-based information into clinical practice.

How does it work?

At the moment of prescribing medication, the system checks the patient's prescriptions and provides healthcare workers with automatic reminders in case of clinically significant drug interactions. In addition to reminders, doctors can also use a web-based database for information on drug side effects (Riskbase).

The automatic reminders draw healthcare workers' attention to clinically significant drug interactions. Interactions are classified into four classes based on their significance and evidence base. D-class interactions should generally be avoided, and the occurrence of C-class interactions can be managed, for example, by reducing the dosage.

The web-based database address is:  https://synbase.eu/  Access with an IP address or a Synbase user account. 

What is the value of decision support?

• Improving the quality of care by enhancing patient safety and optimizing treatment processes.