Seventeen studies were included (n=506,248 patients or encounters, range 200 to 450,000): 12 RCTs and five non-randomised observational studies.
Thirteen studies (76%) found either positive or variable outcomes related to CDSS intervention. Nine studies reported definitive positive outcomes. Four studies reported that there were improvements for some outcomes. Four studies (24%) showed no significant effect.
Of the RCTs, four studies reported positive primary outcomes, four had neutral findings and four had variable findings. Primary outcomes in studies that reported positive outcomes included ordering of procedures and prescribing medication therapy.
Of the observational non-randomised trials, statistically significant improvements in primary outcomes related to use of CDSS were reported for all five studies. Primary outcomes included: medication prescribing patterns (three studies); screening for latent tuberculosis infection (one study); and achievement of therapy treatment goals (one study).