title: Use of electronic health records and clinical decision support systems for antimicrobial stewardship.
abstract: Electronic health records (EHRs) and clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) have the potential to enhance antimicrobial stewardship. Numerous EHRs and CDSSs are available and have the potential to enable all clinicians and antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) to more efficiently review pharmacy, microbiology, and clinical data. Literature evaluating the impact of EHRs and CDSSs on patient outcomes is lacking, although EHRs with integrated CDSSs have demonstrated improvements in clinical and economic outcomes. Both technologies can be used to enhance existing ASPs and their implementation of core ASP strategies. Resolution of administrative, legal, and technical issues will enhance the acceptance and impact of these systems. EHR systems will increase in value when manufacturers include integrated ASP tools and CDSSs that do not require extensive commitment of information technology resources. Further research is needed to determine the true impact of current systems on ASP and the ultimate goal of improved patient outcomes through optimized antimicrobial use.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Graeme N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Forrest
authors.affiliation: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha.
authors.forename: Trevor C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Van Schooneveld
authors.affiliation: Global Medical Affairs, Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Ravina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kullar
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison.
authors.forename: Lucas T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.affiliation: Global Medical Affairs, Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Phu
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Duong
authors.affiliation: Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Postelnick
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical; D004363:Drug Utilization; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents
keywords: antimicrobial stewardship; clinical decision support system; electronic health record