Using information systems to improve practice

Information systems are becoming a key tool for improving and measuring practice. They can improve care by providing decision support during routine care, by making important information more readily accessible, by pointing out redundancies, by suggesting alternatives, and by making guidelines accessible. Key domains, which are particularly amenable to such decision support, include drug prescribing, test ordering and implementation of critical pathways. In addition to their role in quality improvement, information systems can accomplish most quality measurement if key data are captured in coded form during the provision of routine care. These changes can help close the gag between knowledge and practice and promise to make the practice of evidence-based medicine a reality.