Utilizing standardized nursing terminologies in implementing an AI-powered fall-prevention tool to improve patient outcomes: a multihospital study

OBJECTIVES: Standardized nursing terminologies (SNTs) are necessary to ensure consistent knowledge expression and compare the effectiveness of nursing practice across settings. This study investigated whether SNTs can support semantic interoperability and outcoming tracking over time by implementing an AI-powered CDS tool for fall prevention across multiple EMR systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 3 tertiary academic hospitals and 1 public hospital with different EMR systems and nursing terms, and employed an AI-powered CDS tool that determines the fall risk within the next hour (prediction model) and recommends tailored care plans (CDS functions; represented by SNTs). The prediction model was mapped to local data elements and optimized using local data sets. The local nursing statements in CDS functions were mapped using an ICNP-based inpatient fall-prevention catalog. Four implementation models were compared, and patient outcomes and nursing activities were observed longitudinally at one site. RESULTS: The postimplementation approach was practical for disseminating the AI-powered CDS tool for nursing. The 4 hospitals successfully implemented prediction models with little performance variation; the AUROCs were 0.8051–0.9581. The nursing process data contributed markedly to fall-risk predictions. The local nursing statements on preventing falls covered 48.0%–86.7% of statements. There was no significant longitudinal decrease in the fall rate (P = .160, 95% CI = −1.21 to 0.21 per 1000 hospital days), but rates of interventions provided by nurses were notably increased. CONCLUSION: SNTs contributed to achieving semantic interoperability among multiple EMR systems to disseminate AI-powered CDS tools and automatically track nursing and patient outcomes.