The Healthcare Guys: Clinical Decision Support

Clinical decision support (CDS) is a computer-based tool that helps healthcare providers make better-informed decisions about patient care. CDS systems provide relevant, up-to-date information and guidance to healthcare providers at the point of care. This can include information about diagnostic tests, treatment options, drug interactions, and other clinical information.

CDS systems can be integrated into electronic health records (EHRs), making it easy for providers to access the information they need while documenting patient encounters. CDS systems can also be integrated into other healthcare technology, such as personal health records (PHRs) and mobile apps, to provide patients with access to relevant health information.

CDS systems can take various forms, such as:

Alerts and reminders, which notify providers about important information related to the patient’s care, such as potential drug interactions or recommended screenings.

Clinical guidelines and protocols, which provide providers with step-by-step instructions for managing specific conditions or performing procedures. Clinical calculators, which use algorithms and data to help providers make decisions about patient care, such as determining appropriate dosages for medications.

The use of CDS can improve the quality of care and patient safety, by providing healthcare providers with current, evidence-based information and guidance, it can also help to reduce errors and improve efficiency in the delivery of care.

In summary, Clinical Decision Support (CDS) is a computer-based tool that helps healthcare providers make better-informed decisions about patient care by providing relevant, up-to-date information and guidance, it can take various forms such as alerts, reminders, guidelines, protocols, and clinical calculators. The use of CDS can help to improve the quality of care and patient safety, reduce errors, and improve efficiency in the delivery of care.