Downstream activities after laboratory testing in primary care: an exploratory outcome of the ELMO cluster randomised trial (Electronic Laboratory Medicine Ordering with evidence-based order sets in primary care)

Clinical Decision Support System in laboratory medicine

Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) have been implemented in almost all healthcare settings. Laboratory medicine (LM), is one of the most important structured health data stores, but efforts are still needed to clarify the use and scope of these tools, especially in the laboratory setting. The aim is to clarify CDSS concept in LM, in the last decade. There is no consensus on the definition of CDSS in LM. A theoretical definition of CDSS in LM should capture the aim of driving significant improvements in LM mission, prevention, diagnosis, monitoring, and disease treatment. We identified the types, workflow and data sources of CDSS. The main applications of CDSS in LM were diagnostic support and clinical management, patient safety, workflow improvements, and cost containment. Laboratory professionals, with their expertise in quality improvement and quality assurance, have a chance to be leaders in CDSS.