A knowledge-based patient assessment system: conceptual and technical design

• Published in: Proceedings - AMIA Symposium pp. 680 - 684
• Main Authors: Reilly, C A, Zielstorff, R D, Fox, R L, O'Connell, E M, Carroll, D L, Conley, K A, Fitzgerald, P, Eng, T K, Martin, A, Zidik, C M, Segal, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Medical Informatics Association 2000
• Subjects: Artificial Intelligence; Decision Support Systems, Clinical; Humans; Internet; Management Information Systems; Massachusetts; Medical Records Systems, Computerized; Microcomputers; Nursing Assessment; Quality Control; Systems Analysis; Systems Integration; Massachusetts
• ISSN: 1531-605X

This paper describes the design of an inpatient patient assessment application that captures nursing assessment data using a wireless laptop computer. The primary aim of this system is to capture structured information for facilitating decision support and quality monitoring. The system also aims to improve efficiency of recording patient assessments, reduce costs, and improve discharge planning and early identification of patient learning needs. Object-oriented methods were used to elicit functional requirements and to model the proposed system. A tools-based development approach is being used to facilitate rapid development and easy modification of assessment items and rules for decision support. Criteria for evaluation include perceived utility by clinician users, validity of decision support rules, time spent recording assessments, and perceived utility of aggregate reports for quality monitoring.