Graphical user interface in a medical protocol system having time delay rules and a publisher's view

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

• providing a plurality of order triplets, each of said order triplets representing a step within the medical treatment plan;
• representing a sequence within the medical treatment plan by using a process flow connection to link graphically a first order triplet and a second order triplet, said first and second order triplets from said plurality of order triplets;
• associating a rule with said sequence, said rule having at least one condition;
• associating a time delay with said rule;
• and
• activating said second order triplet upon satisfaction of a set of requirements, said set of requirements including satisfaction of said condition and expiration of said time delay.

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

• providing a first order triplet having a first order triplet, a first result node is having at least one result value, and a first flow control node having a time delay rule, said first order triplet representing a first step within the medical treatment plan;
• providing a second order triplet having a second order triplet, a second result node, and a second flow control node, said second order triplet representing a second step within the medical treatment plan;
• representing a sequence within the medical treatment plan by linking graphically said first order triplet and said second order triplet;
• and
• associating a rule with said sequence, said rule having at least one condition;
• associating a time delay with said rule;
• and
• activating said second order triplet upon satisfaction of a set of requirements, said set of requirements including satisfaction of said condition and expiration of said time delay.

An apparatus for displaying a graphic representation of a medical treatment plan, the apparatus comprising:

• means for providing a plurality of order triplets, each of said order triplets representing a step within the medical treatment plan;
• means for representing a sequence within the medical treatment plan by linking graphically a first order triplet and a second order triplet, said first and second order triplets from said plurality of order triplets;
• means for associating a rule with said sequence, said rule having at least one condition;
• means for associating a time delay with said rule;
• and
• activating said second order triplet upon satisfaction of a set of requirements, said set of requirements including satisfaction of said condition and expiration of said time delay.

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 order triplet icons stored in said storage location, each of said order triplets representing a step within the medical treatment plan;
• a sequence within the medical treatment plan having a first order triplet icon linked graphically with a second order triplet icon, said first and second order triplet icons from said plurality of order triplet icons;
• a rule with said sequence, said rule having at least one condition and responsive to a time delay;
• and
• a second order triplet activated upon satisfaction of a set of requirements, said set of requirements including satisfaction of said condition and expiration of said time delay.

An apparatus comprising:

• a general-purpose computer having:
• means for providing a plurality of order triplets, each of said order triplets representing a step within the medical treatment plan;
• means for representing a sequence within the medical treatment plan by linking graphically a first order triplet and a second order triplet, said first and second order triplets from said plurality of order triplets;
• means for associating a rule with said sequence, said rule having at least one condition;
• means for associating a time delay with said rule;
• and
• means for activating said second order triplet upon satisfaction of a set of requirements, said set of requirements including satisfaction of said condition and expiration of said time delay.