Clinical Decision Support for Diabetes Care in the Hospital: A Time for Change Toward Improvement of Management and Outcomes

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of diabetes permeates hospitals and dysglycemia is associated with poor clinical and economic outcomes. Despite endorsed guidelines, barriers to optimal management and gaps in care prevail. Providers’ limitations on knowledge, attitudes, and decision-making about hospital diabetes management are common. This adds to the complexity of dispersed glucose and insulin dosing data within medical records. This creates a dichotomy as safe and effective care are key objectives of healthcare organizations. This perspective highlights evidence of the benefits of clinical decision support (CDS) in hospital glycemic management. It elaborates on barriers CDS can help resolve, and factors driving its success. CDS represents a resource to individualize care and improve outcomes. It can help overcome a multifactorial problem impacting patients’ lives on a daily basis.