Q. What is a Decision Support tool?

Point of care (POC) tools or products are searchable databases that provide a summary (or synthesis) of current evidence for specific conditions or treatments.  Point of care tools are also known as decision support tools.

Most point of care tools will reference the same original, or primary studies. These tools will also provide links to supporting content or tools such as calculators, drug information, patient education information, etc.

With CKN’s collection of clinical decision support tools you can find the most appropriate information based on your needs at the time. Each resource offers distinct strengths—whether it’s rapid diagnostic support, comprehensive treatment guidelines, information tailored for JMOs, or specialty-specific protocols—allowing you to select the best-fit tool for the clinical scenario at hand. With CKN’s collection of clinical decision support tools you can find the most appropriate information based on your needs at the time. Each resource offers distinct strengths—whether it’s rapid diagnostic support, comprehensive treatment guidelines, information tailored for JMOs, or specialty-specific protocols—allowing you to select the best-fit tool for the clinical scenario at hand.

Key CKN resources include:
•    BMJ Best Practice: Structured guidance for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, including a Comorbidities Tool to support complex patient management.
•    ClinicalKey: A broad resource featuring over 1,200 medical textbooks, journals, multimedia, and clinical guidelines across specialties.
•    ClinicalKey for Nursing: Tailored for nurses with ANZ-specific content, procedural videos, skills checklists, and competency tools aligned with national standards.
•    DynaMed: A point-of-care clinical reference offering concise, evidence-based summaries with integration to Isabel for differential diagnosis and links to Queensland Clinical Guidelines.
•    Isabel: A diagnostic checklist tool that supports clinicians in identifying a broad range of differential diagnoses quickly and accurately.
•    Paediatric Injectable Guidelines (PIG): Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, offering detailed guidance on the safe administration of injectable medicines in paediatric patients.

Other examples that may be available to some QH staff (but not all):

•  Joanna Briggs JBI (nursing evidence based database)

•  UpToDate

Contact your local QH library for assistance with non-CKN databases.

JCU Library provides access to ClinicalKey and BMJ Best practice for medical students.