Using Clinical Decision Support to Lower Pneumonia Mortality Among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Patients

A recent study conducted by Intermountain Healthcare has demonstrated that implementing a computerized clinical decision support system significantly decreases mortality rates in pneumonia patients, particularly those facing economic hardships. The research, presented at the ATS 2025 conference in San Francisco, focused on the impact of the ePneumonia tool integrated into emergency department workflows. ePneumonia utilizes patient medical history, vital signs, chest imaging results, and laboratory data to predict pneumonia risk and guide treatment, helping physicians make more accurate and unbiased decisions.

Pneumonia remains a leading cause of death worldwide, with approximately 150,000 hospitalizations annually in the United States alone, and a significant portion of fatalities occurs among vulnerable populations. The study specifically examined patients with high Area Deprivation Index (ADI) scores — a measure of socioeconomic disadvantage based on factors like poverty and housing quality — across 16 community hospitals in Utah from June 2016 to June 2019.

Findings revealed that the use of ePneumonia was associated with a notable reduction in mortality among high-risk groups. The researchers suggest that the integration of artificial intelligence and decision support tools can reduce unconscious biases in clinical decisions and promote adherence to treatment guidelines, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Dr. Nathan C. Dean from Intermountain Medical Center emphasized that such technology assists physicians in overcoming biases that might otherwise influence care, ensuring that all patients receive optimal treatment.

These promising results highlight the potential of AI-driven support systems to address healthcare disparities, especially in rural and economically challenged communities. Although further research is necessary to confirm these findings, the initial data suggests that clinical decision support tools like ePneumonia could play a vital role in achieving equitable healthcare outcomes.

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