Computer Task : The Rising Importance of CDS

Clinical Decision Support (CDS) provides important information and knowledge to clinicians and staff to enhance patient care and the overall health of the patient. It can play an important role at the patient level and population level, drawing from data, current evidence and best practices. CDS will be become a more important tool in the coming months and years, helping to deliver the best care in a timely manner.

Here are five reasons why CDS will become increasingly important as we continue through 2017 and beyond.

1. Improved identification - Improved proactive identification of patients at risk, or certain populations at risk, will help to coordinate and deliver specific care faster;
2. Earlier interventions - Early interventions and not missing specific interventions and treatments will help to treat a small problem before it becomes a larger one;
3. Better decision making - CDS assists clinical and medical decision making by providing the right data at the right time. This is a powerful combination that can lead to better decision making and improved care;
4. Efficiency - CDS provides the most up-to-date clinical evidence to clinicians at the right place in their workflow, helping to inform decisions and lead to more rapid action; and
5. Response - CDS ensures that complex treatments and interventions, based on evidence, are considered and responded to.

In healthcare today, using patient data and information to its fullest potential can lead to better outcomes, increased efficiency and improved health. CDS systems and EHR in general offer many benefits and need to be embraced by clinicians and staff to make the most of this important advancement.