Improving the application of imaging clinical decision support tools: making the complex simple.

With the promotion and incentivization of electronic health records and computerized order entry by CMS, there is a unique opportunity to catalyze the use of evidence-based guidelines with the inclusion of clinical decision support (CDS) tools. Imaging CDS tools have evolved from static paper algorithms, checklists, and scores to interactive systems that provide feedback and recommendations with the intent of directing health care providers to deliver best practices. Some of the major limitations of first generation imaging CDS tools include a lack of comprehensive evidence-based guidelines, limited ability to input detailed patient conditions and symptoms, and time-intensive user interfaces. Next-generation imaging CDS tools will attempt to close the information and interface gaps to provide more meaningful guidance to health care providers and improve the delivery of best practices to patients.