ELI5 Series: Clinical Decision Support Systems

What is Clinical Decision Support (CDS)?

CDS Roadmap Definition of CDS:

ELI5 Definition of CDS:

Intelligent software typically built over an EHR to help clinicians make better decisions. 

Typical Features of CDS

DHHS

•  Computerized alerts and reminders to care providers and patients
• Methods to bring care into compliance with clinical guidelines/protocols
• Condition and treatment-focused order sets
• Patient data reports and summaries
• Documentation templates
• Advice to promote more accurate and timely diagnoses
• Contextually relevant reference information

Benefits of CDSS

• Administrative Benefits by supporting clinical coding and documentation, authorization of procedures, and referrals.
• The ability to manage clinical complexity and details by keeping patients on research and chemotherapy protocols; tracking orders, referrals follow-up, and preventive care.
• Cost control benefits through the monitoring of medication orders and avoiding duplicate or unnecessary tests.
• Decision support benefits: Supporting clinical diagnosis and treatment plan processes; and promoting use of best practices, condition-specific guidelines, and population-based management. 

Potential Difficulties in Dealing with a CDSS

Have all of your workflows documented? Great! It will be a bit easier to implement.  No workflows documented? You may not get as big of a value out of it at first.

List of Clinical Decision Support Systems

• SimulConsult
• Clinical Rules
• DiagnosisPro
• DxMate
• Dxplain
• ESAGIL
• MYCIN
• Prescriptor
• RODIA
• ISABEL

Good to Know Terms

E

xpert system

Resources and References:

HealthIT.gov

CDS Implementation Resources