White paper explores the ‘next generation’ of CDS

CHICAGO – June 21, 2022 – The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and Altera Digital Health, Inc today released the Clinical Decision Support: Leveraging Technology to Drive Outcomes and Efficiencies white paper. A panel of clinicians and health information experts discussed the impact of enhanced clinical decision support (CDS) on clinical workflow and satisfaction, reporting faster decision-making, enhanced efficiencies, and improved patient outcomes.

Enhanced clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) are becoming a critical part of the healthcare information technology landscape. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming CDSSs, from burdensome platforms offering alerts with limited value to intelligent workflows, supporting best practices based on relevant patient history in real time. Experts identify new use cases for CDS from early recognition of malnutrition in pediatric patients to supporting chronic care management for patients with congestive heart failure.

The white paper uncovers key points including:

• Identifying ways in which enhanced CDSSs enable high-quality, low-cost care
• Effective ways in which CDSSs integrate with clinicians
• Evaluating AI and ML to identify and address biases in patient data

“AHIMA supports the development of solutions to identify and address biases in data and algorithms that exacerbate health disparities and inequities in care,” explains Julie Pursley, MSHI, RHIA, CHDA, FAHIMA, Senior Director, Health Information Thought Leadership, AHIMA.

Experts recognize that innovations in cloud-based clinical surveillance systems will enable provider organizations to fully unlock the value of data, driving efficiencies in workflow and operations.

“Cloud computing will enable data analysis on a much bigger scale, further improving the patient experience and outcomes and reducing the overall cost of care,” explains Mark Pratt, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Altera Digital Health.

Authors point to the increasing need for trusted, evidence-based CDS and enhanced CDSSs to prepare provider organizations for the future of care delivery.

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About AHIMA
AHIMA is a global nonprofit association of health information (HI) professionals. AHIMA represents professionals who work with health data for more than one billion patient visits each year. AHIMA’s mission of empowering people to impact health^® drives our members and credentialed HI professionals to ensure that health information is accurate, complete, and available to patients and providers. Our leaders work at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and business, and are found in data integrity and information privacy job functions worldwide. 

About Altera

The former Allscripts Hospital and Large Physician Practices business is now Altera Digital Health. Altera Digital Health, a new member of the N. Harris Computer Corporation family, delivers health IT solutions that support caregivers around the world. These include the Sunrise™, Paragon®, TouchWorks®, Opal, STAR™, HealthQuest™ and dbMotion™ solutions. At the intersection of technology and the human experience, Altera Digital Health is driving a new era of healthcare, in which innovation and expertise can elevate care delivery and inspire healthier communities across the globe. A new age in healthcare technology has just begun. www.alterahealth.com