Clinical Decision Support and Electronic Prescribing Systems

Electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) systems can provide computer-based support for the creation, transmission, dispensing, and monitoring of pharmacological therapies. 2] Previously, Bell et al. published an excellent list of desiderata for outpatient e-prescribing and sorted the desiderata into functional categories. 7 Subsequently, Wang et al. surveyed eprescribing vendor systems to determine that existing systems on average met only half the desiderata, with none exceeding 64% fulfillment. The recommendations outlined in the tables of the Joint CDS WG provide a useful point of departure for future discussions. Of note, the Joint CDS WG guidelines were developed as a ''commissioned work'' with externally determined foci, time limitations, and priorities, so that those guidelines do not fully cover all relevant areas. The Joint CDS WG document therefore represents an important first step in an evolving approach to a complex set of problems.