Embedding expert systems in laboratory information systems

Expert systems (ESs) may enhance decision making throughout most steps in the clinical laboratory testing process. By embedding ES capabilities in a laboratory information system (LIS), the LIS gains the capability of symbolic reasoning whereas the ES gains use of the LIS database and communications resources. Design considerations include modular integration, performing timely inferences, sparing LIS resources, and providing a syntax that facilitates knowledge base development and verification by laboratorians. The LIS notifies the ES of specimen status changes through an event log. An event scanner finds events that are relevant to prestored knowledge frames and passes this information to an inference processor through instance records. If conditions specified in the knowledge frames are satisfied, an alert processor sends a message to a CRT, printer, file, or report. Examples of applications during order entry, specimen distribution, processing, and results reporting are presented.