Mixed methods evaluation of a clinical decision support system to reduce variation in healthcare.

ABSTRACT: Evidence that clinical decision support systems (CDSS) reduce unwarranted variation in care and improve patient outcomes remains limited, particularly for acute, high-risk conditions where deviations from clinical guidelines are costly. We evaluated utilisation of a CDSS-embedded care plan within an electronic medical record designed to support timely, protocol-driven management of a complex metabolic emergency. Among 345 episodes, the CDSS was used in just over half of cases; yet a 1% increase in utilisation was associated with a reduction in hospital length of stay by approximately 1.3%, and any use was linked to a 3.3% reduction in in-hospital mortality. Fourteen clinician interviews supported these findings but highlighted barriers such as limited awareness and lack of training that co

SUBMITTER: Pak A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12739111 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature