Clinical Decision Support Tools in the Electronic Medical Record

Mackenzie Alexiuk; Heba Elgubtan; Navdeep Tangri

doi:10.1016/j.ekir.2023.10.019

Clinical Decision Support Tools in the Electronic Medical Record

Kidney Int Rep. 2023 Oct 29;9(1):29-38. doi: 10.1016/j.ekir.2023.10.019. eCollection 2024 Jan.

Authors

Mackenzie Alexiuk^{1

2}, Heba Elgubtan^{1

2}, Navdeep Tangri^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Chronic Disease Innovation Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
² Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
³ Department of Internal Medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Abstract

The integration of clinical decision support (CDS) tools into electronic medical record (EMR) systems has become common. Although there are many benefits for both patients and providers from successful integration, barriers exist that prevent consistent and effective use of these tools. Such barriers include tool alert fatigue, lack of interoperability between tools and medical record systems, and poor acceptance of tools by care providers. However, successful integration of CDS tools into EMR systems have been reported; examples of these include the Statin Choice Decision Aid, and the Kidney Failure Risk Equation (KFRE). This article reviews the history of EMR systems and its integration with CDS tools, the barriers preventing successful integration, and the benefits reported from successful integration. This article also provides suggestions and strategies for improving successful integration, making these tools easier to use and more effective for care providers.

Keywords: Kidney Failure Risk Equation; Statin Choice Decision Aid; clinical decision support tools; electronic medical records; predictive models; risk prediction.

Publication types

Review