Experience using a programmable rules engine to implement a complex medical protocol during order entry

Area of Science:

• Clinical Informatics
• Medical Decision Support Systems

Background:

• WizOrder at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is a clinician order entry system.
• A scripting language facilitates rule creation by non-programmers, aiding knowledge-base management for decision support.
• Domain experts have successfully implemented simpler protocols using this system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement clinical decision support for diagnosing and treating deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).
• To enhance clinician compliance with evidence-based protocols for DVT and PE.
• To leverage an existing scripting system for a complex medical protocol.

Main Methods:

• Utilized VUMC's existing scripting system within the WizOrder platform.
• Developed decision support rules for deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism diagnosis and treatment.
• Focused on implementing a complex medical protocol.

Main Results:

• Successfully implemented decision support for a complex medical protocol.
• Demonstrated the capability of the scripting system for intricate clinical guidelines.
• Aimed to improve clinician adherence to DVT and PE evidence-based protocols.

Conclusions:

• The existing scripting system is effective for implementing complex clinical decision support.
• Decision support can enhance clinician compliance with evidence-based protocols for conditions like DVT and PE.
• VUMC's approach facilitates knowledge-base maintenance by domain experts.