Clinical Decision Support (CDS) is a feature of many electronic health record (EHR) systems. It facilitates the capture, analysis and display of information related to a particular disease condition for a patient.

 

Today we highlight the CDS Starter Kit: Diabetes Follow-Up Care resource. It demonstrates how CDS can simplify the work providers do with their diabetic patients. There are three key recommendations for follow up visits:

1. Perform regular testing for A1C, urine protein and lipid profile
2. Actively manage hypertension
3. Conduct annual monofilament foot exams

This kit describes best practices for office visits with diabetic patients. It includes screen shots from a NextGen EHR system, letting you see how templates make it easier to enter data, order tests and be reminded of required care. These same functions can be made operational in any Meaningful Use Certified EHR.

 

Take a few minutes to review the CDS Starter Kit to see how Clinical Decision Support can help keep your diabetic patients in good health.  

 

 

A number of studies have focused on the usefulness of Clinical Decision Support (CDS) tools embedded in EHRs. While some have criticized its effectiveness, others say that CDS saves lives. In the article, The Five Rights of Clinical Decision Support, Robert Campbell EdD, CPHIMS, CPEHR describes what CDS rules are and why they should be implemented. The five rights include:

1. the right information,
2. to the right person,
3. in the right intervention format,
4. through the right channel,
5. at the right time in workflow

If your interest is piqued, dive deeper and read the full article.

 

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