A free-text processing system to capture physical findings: Canonical Phrase Identification System (CAPIS)

The task of gathering detailed patient information from free-text medical records presents a significant barrier to clinical research. In this paper, we describe a prototype system for extracting physical examination findings from dictated admission summaries. Our computer program applies a concept-based free-text processing algorithm that identifies user-selected target physical examination findings. We are using the extraction system to enrich an existing clinical database. The system was evaluated by comparing the physical examination findings extracted by our computer program with findings extracted by an independent investigator. Our prototype system was able to recall 92 percent (sensitivity) of the relevant physical findings, with a precision of 96 percent (positive predictive value).