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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research article

The effectiveness of computerized clinical guidelines in the process of care: a systematic review

Authors: Gianfranco Damiani, Luigi Pinnarelli, Simona C Colosimo, Roberta Almiento, Lorella Sicuro, Rocco Galasso, Lorenzo Sommella, Walter Ricciardi

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Background

Clinical practice guidelines have been developed aiming to improve the quality of care. The implementation of the computerized clinical guidelines (CCG) has been supported by the development of computerized clinical decision support systems.
This systematic review assesses the impact of CCG on the process of care compared with non-computerized clinical guidelines.

Methods

Specific features of CCG were studied through an extensive search of scientific literature, querying electronic databases: Pubmed/Medline, Embase and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. A multivariable logistic regression was carried out to evaluate the association of CCG's features with positive effect on the process of care.

Results

Forty-five articles were selected. The logistic model showed that Automatic provision of recommendation in electronic version as part of clinician workflow (Odds Ratio [OR]= 17.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6-193.7) and Publication Year (OR = 6.7; 95%CI: 1.3-34.3) were statistically significant predictors.

Conclusions

From the research that has been carried out, we can conclude that after implementation of CCG significant improvements in process of care are shown. Our findings also suggest clinicians, managers and other health care decision makers which features of CCG might improve the structure of computerized system.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
The effectiveness of computerized clinical guidelines in the process of care: a systematic review
Authors
Gianfranco Damiani
Luigi Pinnarelli
Simona C Colosimo
Roberta Almiento
Lorella Sicuro
Rocco Galasso
Lorenzo Sommella
Walter Ricciardi
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-10-2

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