Decision Support Tools for Healthcare Management

With the constant advances in the medical field, it is important for health-care professionals and their patients to have the latest health-care management decision support tools. The easily available decision support tools on the world wide web and through the use of specially designed software has made it easier for health-care specialists to get the necessary information to make the correct diagnosis and offer the best treatment options available.

Decision Support Software

• There are various types of decision support software designed specifically to meet the needs of health-care management. The software provides medical professionals the needed tools to provide safe and quality care. Hospitals, health-care institutions, community clinics and private medical practices can use this software to tailor it to each individual patient. The main feature of decision support software is the e-learning system. The software is customizable and can be implemented on a standalone basis. It allows a multi-user interface and complies with federal Disability Discrimination Act. It is a web-based application which has a triage question module.

Clinical Decision Support

• There are many companies that now offer clinical decision support via the Internet. These websites aim to deliver evidence-based content for medication, illness and condition management. They also offer toxicology information and patient information. Clinicians now have access, in real time, to patient data supporting clinical surveillance, patient rounding, reconciliation of medication and coordination of all aspects of clinical care.

Medical Websites

• With the many readily available medical search websites that provide vast amounts of scientifically based medical literature, medical professionals are now able to search for medical information throughout the world. Some sites offer structured summaries of evidence-based guidelines for clinical practice from some of the most reputable and professional medical organizations.

Decision Support Applications

• With the skyrocketing costs of medical care, hospitals and health-care institutions are now turning to decision support software to improve their reporting abilities in an effort to improve their cash-flow and operating margin. This type of software integrates financial, administrative and clinical information, as well as other key business indicators for an improved decision making process. The organization using this software can expect to improve clinical performance, control its overall costs, better manage and negotiate contracts, develop budgets and review productivity in all areas of the company. Applications of this nature use the latest Internet technology to provide financial decision support tools that are state-of-the-art applications. Health-care executives and front-line managers are now able to make timely and more informed decisions, with access to critical information.