Using EMR-enabled computerized decision support systems to reduce prescribing of potentially inappropriate medications: a narrative review

Prescribing of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) that pose more risk than benefit in older patients is a common occurrence across all healthcare settings. Reducing such prescribing has been challenging despite multiple interventions, including educational campaigns, audits and feedback, geriatrician assessment and formulary restrictions. With the increasing uptake of electronic medical records (EMRs) across hospitals, clinics and residential aged care facilities (RACFs), integrated with computerized physician order entry (CPOE) and e-prescribing, opportunities exist for incorporating clinical decision support systems (CDSS) into EMR at the point of care. This narrative review assessed the process and outcomes of using EMR-enabled CDSS to reduce the prescribing of PIMs. We searched PubMed for relevant articles published up to January 2018 and focused on those that described EMR-enabled CDSS that assisted prescribers to make changes at the time of ordering PIMs in adults. Computerized systems offering only medication reconciliation, dose checks, monitoring for medication errors, or basic formulary information were not included. In addition to outcome measures of medication-related processes and adverse drug events, qualitative data relating to factors that influence effectiveness of EMR-enabled CDSS were also gathered from selected studies. We analysed 20 studies comprising 10 randomized trials and 10 observational studies performed in hospitals ( n = 8), ambulatory care clinics ( n = 9) and RACFs ( n = 3). Studies varied in patient populations (although most involved older patients), type of CDSS, method of linkage with EMR, study designs and outcome measures. However, assuming little publication bias, the totality of evidence favoured EMR-enabled CDSS as being effective in reducing the prescribing of PIMs in hospitals, although results were more mixed for ambulatory care settings and RACFs. While absolute effects in most positive studies were modest, they suggest EMR-enabled CDSS are feasible and acceptable to clinicians, and if certain design features are adhered to, there is potential for even greater impact.