System and method for graphic creation of a medical logical module in the arden syntax file format

• US 6,725,447 B1
• Filed: 04/18/2000
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Gilman, John, Raymer, Michael E., Halsey, Eric F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zhen, Wei
• Assistant Examiner(s): STEELMAN, MARY J
• Application Number:
  US09/551,806
• Time in Patent Office: 1,463 Days
• Field of Search: 717/100, 717/105
• US Class Current: 717/105
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms

Abstract

The system and method for graphic creation of a medical logical module in the Arden syntax file format allows a user to define a medical decision process in terms of flowcharts and outlines. The system and method provide for creation of a medical logical module for a computer in the Arden syntax file format. A graphic representation of a medical decision logic tree of a connected series of a plurality of nodes in a medical decision process is encoded, with each node having a logical path from the node, and each connected series of nodes containing at least one intermediate node and a concluding node. For each node, a conditional statement is encoded for each path from the node; a definition of a path for each intermediate node is encoded; and an outcome for each concluding node is encoded.

Claims

1. A method for creation of a medical logical module for a computer in the Arden syntax file format, the steps of the method comprising:

encoding a graphic representation of a patient driven protocol medical decision logic tree of a connected series of a plurality of nodes in a medical decision process, each said node having a logical path from said node, and each said connected series of nodes containing at least one intermediate node and a concluding node;

encoding a conditional statement for each path from each said intermediate node;

encoding a definition of a path from each said intermediate node;

encoding an outcome for each concluding node; and

encoding a medical logical module of said graphic representation in Arden Syntax file format.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said graphic representation is in a form selected from a flowchart, an outline, and a combination thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said outcome is selected from the group consisting of a recommended alert, an order, an action to be taken with the patient, a coded message, a narrative message, a screen, triggering of another medical logical module, and communicating with another programming application.

4. A system for creation of a medical logical module for a computer in the Arden syntax file format, comprising:

means for encoding a graphic representation of a patient driven protocol medical decision logic tree of a connected series of a plurality of nodes in a medical decision process, each said node having a logical path from said node, and each said connected series of nodes containing at least one intermediate node and a concluding node;

means for encoding a conditional statement for each path from each said node;

means for encoding a definition of a path from each said intermediate node;

means for encoding an outcome for each concluding node; and

means for generating a medical logical module in Arden Syntax file format.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said is in a form selected from a graphic flowchart, an outline, and a combination thereof.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein said outcome is selected from the group consisting of a recommended alert, action or order to be taken with the patient as defined by the medical logical module designer, a coded message, a narrative message;

a screen, which typically results in a message, often sent by e-mail, to a researcher or quality assurance officer informing them of a patient that fits some criteria, triggering another medical logical module, and communicating with another programming application.