Tool #3 – Clinical Decision Support

An organization seeking to deliver accountable care must also have good tools for clinical decision support that enhance decision-making across the clinical workflow. Depending on the organization, these tools could include computerized alerts and reminders; evidence-based guidelines; condition-specific order sets; diagnostic support and contextually relevant reference information. Such tools can offer key information to providers at critical times, thus elevating the quality of care, mitigating the potential for error, improving efficiency and ultimately improving the patient experience.

Seamlessly integrating decision support tools within clinical workflow is essential to realize their full benefits. For example, when such tools are organically integrated with the EHR, they can streamline workflow and enhance decision making without requiring the clinician to stop patient care to access information. Conversely, if the tools are cumbersome to access or disrupt workflow, they will not be used consistently, severely limiting their potential.

Tool #4 – Population Health Technology

Finally, technology that facilitates population health management is key to supporting accountable care. This technology helps an organization look across its entire patient population and identify gaps in care that represent risk. For example, HIT software can work seamlessly with an organization's EHR to pinpoint patients who have chronic conditions or other comorbidities who don't regularly see their physician. The software can then proactively transition these patients into care, allowing the healthcare organization to address the patients' health risks and avoid negative outcomes. This not only enhances the quality of care for these patients but also elevates the health of the patient population as a whole.

While each of the aforementioned tools are beneficial on their own, when used together they lay the foundation for accountable care. Regardless of whether your organization is working toward becoming an ACO or taking a less formal approach, having strong, integrated technology underpins the effort that can ensure your practice effectively leverages patient information to provide targeted, efficient and accountable care.