Apparatus and method for a graphic user interface in a medical protocol system

A method for displaying a graphic representation of a medical treatment plan, comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of order icon images representing a medical treatment in a sequence;
• providing a description of a medical treatment associated with at least a first image in the plurality of order icon images;
• providing a plurality of result icon images, corresponding to the plurality of order icon images, the plurality of result icon images having corresponding result values;
• and
• linking graphically the plurality of order icon images responsive to the plurality of corresponding result values, wherein said step of linking includes a step of using flow connections to indicate relationships between the plurality of icon images.

An article of manufacture including a computer readable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for displaying a medical treatment plan, the computer readable program code means in the article of manufacture comprising:

• computer readable program code means for causing a computer to generate an icon image on a display representing a medical order;
• and
• computer readable program code means for causing a computer to generate a description of a medical order on a display corresponding to the icon image;
• wherein the display includes, a plurality of graphic icon images stored in the storage location and graphically linked using flow connections to indicate relationships between the plurality of icon images on the display to represent a medical treatment plan flow.

A data processing apparatus, comprising:

• a display for displaying data;
• input means for supplying input data;
• a storage location, coupled with the display and the input means, for storing data images, and programs;
• and
• processing means, coupled to the display means, the input means, and the storage means, for controlling the storage means, the input means, and the display means in response to stored programs and input data to perform data processing operations;
• wherein the display includes, a plurality of graphic icon images stored in the storage location and graphically linked using at least one order result connection information flow connection, and process flow connection, on the display to represent a medical treatment plan flow.