Representing a chemotherapy guideline using openEHR and rules

Computerized guidelines can provide decision support and facilitate the use of clinical guidelines. Several computerized guideline representation models (GRMs) exist but the poor interoperability between the guideline systems and the Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems limits their clinical usefulness. In this study we analyzed the clinical use of a published lymphoma chemotherapy guideline. We found that existing GRMs have limitations that can make it difficult to meet the clinical requirements. We hypothesized that guidelines could be represented as data and logic using openEHR archetypes, templates and rules. The design was tested by implementing the lymphoma guideline. We conclude that using the openEHR models and rules to represent chemotherapy guidelines is feasible and confers several advantages both from a clinical and from an informatics perspective.