Review
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World J Crit Care Med. Nov 4, 2013; 2(4): 21-28
Published online Nov 4, 2013. doi: 10.5492/wjccm.v2.i4.21
Computerized decision support in adult and pediatric critical care
Cydni N Williams, Susan L Bratton, Eliotte L Hirshberg
Cydni N Williams, Susan L Bratton, Eliotte L Hirshberg, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Pediatric Critical Care, Salt Lake City, UT 84158, United States
Eliotte L Hirshberg, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, UT 84157, United States
Author contributions: All listed authors contributed to the design, conception, research, analysis, and writing of this paper.
Correspondence to: Cydni N Williams, MD, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Pediatric Critical Care, 295 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84158, United States. cydni.willams@hsc.utah.edu
Telephone: +1-405-7605837 Fax: +1-801-5818686
Received: June 14, 2013
Revised: August 2, 2013
Accepted: August 20, 2013
Published online: November 4, 2013
Core Tip

Core tip: Computerized decision support (CDS) is increasingly utilized in both adult and pediatric critical care. Improvements in care have been shown in areas including guideline adherence and reduction of medical errors, but reports of meaningful improvements in patient outcome have been scarce to date. However, with technology improvements and widespread acceptance of tools, CDS has the potential to revolutionize critical care medicine with improved diagnosis, monitoring, risk prediction, and treatment. Improvements in multiple aspects of patient care through CDS tools can lead to better patient outcomes.