Displaying clinical data for decision making

Computers are being used in increasing numbers to support health care facilities. Consequently, there is a need to examine how this technology can be effectively used to assist in the process of patient care. At the present time, most computer applications are directed toward (1) the management of large and amounts of data during a short period of time (e.g., ECG analysis and physiological monitoring) or (2) the transfer of information within a facility (e.g., Hospital Information System (HIS) order entry/results reporting). Some systems use the data for the purposes of surveillance or patient management. Other systems are concerned with the organization and presentation of the clinical data as part of the decision making process. This paper considers the ways in which systems can effectively display information. It draws upon experience with the Johns Hopkins Oncology Clinical Information System (OCIS).