Fuzzy case-based reasoning approach for finding COVID-19 patients priority in hospitals at source shortage period

Selvaraj Geetha1, Samayan Narayanamoorthy1, Thangaraj Manirathinam1

  • 1Department of Mathematics, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, TamilNadu, India.

Expert Systems with Applications
|April 13, 2021
PubMed

Insights

This study introduces a new algorithm to prioritize COVID-19 patient admissions during hospital resource shortages. The method sorts patients by risk, aiming to reduce mortality and aid medical professionals in decision-making.

Area of Science:

  • Medical research
  • Public health

Background:

  • Rising COVID-19 cases strain hospital resources, increasing mortality risk.
  • Existing research on COVID-19 mortality factors lacks a comprehensive patient prioritization method.
  • Effective patient management during surges requires considering multiple risk factors beyond disease severity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and present a novel algorithm for prioritizing COVID-19 patient admissions during periods of hospital resource scarcity.
  • To integrate multiple risk factors into a unified system for patient triage.
  • To provide a practical tool for medical professionals to optimize patient care and reduce mortality.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a prioritization algorithm based on eight key factors.
  • Utilizing the sigmoid function to standardize and level different risk factors.
  • Employing a cobweb solution model to visualize and validate the algorithm's effectiveness.

Main Results:

  • The proposed algorithm effectively sorts patients from high-risk to low-risk categories.
  • The method demonstrates practicality and effectiveness in managing patient flow during high-demand periods.
  • The algorithm provides a clear framework for decision-making, aiding in resource allocation.

Conclusions:

  • The developed algorithm offers a systematic approach to prioritizing COVID-19 patients during resource shortages.
  • Implementation of this method can lead to improved patient outcomes and reduced mortality rates.
  • This tool empowers medical professionals to make more informed and efficient decisions in critical care settings.

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