Digital Health Empowering People Healthcare Inclusivity

Clinical Decision Support System

The Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) for Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) care supports healthcare professionals with chronic disease management at public health facilities. Healthcare practitioners need simplified, evidence-based chronic disease management tools to assist them with a high inflow of patients with chronic disease conditions. The CDSS facilitates guideline-based clinical management of patients, supporting improved quality of care.

SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS

Centre for Chronic Disease Control

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)

PROJECT EXECUTION

CDSS for NCD Care underwent a rigorous development and validation process. Through a thorough needs assessment and literature review, CCDC identified gaps in standard care and requirements to offer quality care for the management of hypertension and chronic diseases. Experts from different clinical fields, public healthcare domain, information technology, and government health officials were consulted to identify the best technology solution to support chronic disease management.  CDSS’ efficacy and effectiveness were evaluated across multiple settings. Different methods like individual randomized control trials, cluster randomized trials, and demonstration projects were used during the testing phase. Post testing, the CDSS was scale-up in two states and integrated at the national level

The CDSS currently aids clinicians in screening, diagnosing, and managing various health conditions based on evidence-based guidelines. It houses thousands of case studies to craft individualized management plans, recommending optimal drugs, dosages, follow-up plans, and lifestyle advice.  It offers standardized quality of care ensuring healthcare equity, task-sharing with non-physician health workers, and connectivity across various levels.

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IMPACT

The CDSS and its tools have been accepted and adopted in India and by organizations across the world.

In 2017, the CDSS for NCD care was implemented across Tripura and Mizoram. Government facilities, 40 in Tripura and 16 in Mizoram adopted the mPower Heart mHealth System, a CDSS tool, benefitting more than 200,000 patients.

Previously, in 2017, the mPower Heart mHealth System was also adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Southeast Asia Regional Office (SEARO) and the Republic of Maldives to develop the mPEN App, another CDSS tool. The mPEN App is based on guidelines and recommendations from the Prevention of Essential NCDs (PEN) package from the WHO.

CDSS’ mPower Heart mHealth System was also selected by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Innovation Foundation India for exhibition at “Exhibition & Innovation in Medical Science and Biotechnology” at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

The mPower Heart mHealth System has been showcased and discussed during various international events, a few of which are mentioned below:

  • The Global Healthcare Engineering Symposium (July 2019), Institute of Healthcare Engineering, University College London
  • Regional meeting in Indonesia for NCD program managers (November 2018), WHO-SEARO
  • Healthcare Information and Management System Society (HIMSS) Asia Pac 18 Conference (November 2018), Brisbane, Australia
  • Frontiers of Engineering for Development – Royal Academy of Engineering (September 2017), Oxford Union
  • World Congress of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Health Conference (2016), Mexico City
  • American Diabetes Association, 75th Annual Scientific Sessions (2017), Boston, USA
  • World Cardiology Congress in Melbourne (2014), Australia

Additionally, collaborative work on CDSS by CCDC and AIIMS teams has been included in the recently launched ‘Operational Guidelines on National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases’ (NP-NCD). The CDSS module for hypertension and diabetes has been integrated with the NP-NCD technology platform and is being evaluated in Punjab.

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