Secondary analysis of electronic health records in critical care medicine

Although mature clinical decision support technology is readily available, the medical community continues to exhibit the most remarkable difference between the diligent, professional attitude towards care of patients and the puberal, oftentimes neglectful attitude towards the value of the data generated by this process (1). This professional dissonance has been attributed to many causes (2,3); however, most would agree that the impact, in terms of patient care (4) and development of improved diagnostic and treatment options (5,6), is far from benign (7). This editorial confronts the sobering reality that we are far from reaching any declaration of victory in this regard—serious efforts are required (8). Take a seat; we trust the questions raised might trigger some introspection!