Decision support integrates evidence-based medicine

Bending the cost curve is still the mantra in the healthcare industry. But at the same time, payers and providers are seeking increased care quality. Keeping people healthy in the first place, identifying diseases early and comprehensive follow-up care after a hospitalization are all seen as methods to reduce costs and improve quality. Most agree that evidence-based medicine is the gold standard, but it's unrealistic to expect clinicians to arrive at an ideal decision for every patient's care simply off the tops of their heads. Decision-support tools can drive evidence-based medicine in the care setting and beyond, however, adoption has been lagging. Unity Health System implemented an EHR system in 2003 among its ambulatory offices and in 2006 in its hospital facility. The system, which serves Rochester, NY, and Monroe County, current has achieved HIMSS Level 4 status, which comprises computerized physician order entry and the use of a clinical decision-support system, says Margaret Donahue, MD, chief medical information officer.