System for screening of medical decision making incorporating a knowledge base

A medical screening method for use in medical facilities which comprises:

• creating a knowledge base of medical information organized into criteria sets, the knowledge base comprising clinical specialties, body systems, procedures,
• indications, and criteria points, and wherein each criteria set contains data and rules for determining when the intended course of action is medically appropriate;
• inputting an intended course of action regarding a patient;
• inputting and accumulating patient data before and during the course of action;
• outputting indications as to whether the intended course of action is appropriate;
• outputting rationale review notes;
• outputting information as to the utilization of medical resources during said course of action.

A computer-software-based medical screening method for use in medical facilities, which comprises the following steps, in sequence:

• entering patient and case information;
• opening a category folder;
• selecting a review type from the category folder;
• selecting a level of care from the review type folder;
• selecting a body system from the level of care folder;
• selecting a component from the body system folder;
• selecting a component from the body system folder;
• inputting criteria points from the body system folder;
• opening the case notes folder;
• calculating a review outcome from the patient and case information, category folder opened, review type folder opened, level of care folder opened, body system folder opened, component folder opened, and criteria point selected;
• opening the case notes folder;
• entering referral codes, target review dates, and case notes;
• setting an alternative level of care;
• entering Variance Days, Reference LOS, and Case notes;
• creating an printing a case review report;
• and saving the review for future referral.

A computer-based medical screening system for use in medical facilities which reviews an intended course of action regarding a patient having a clinical situation, and comprising:

• a knowledge base of medical information organized into criteria sets, the knowledge base comprising clinical specialties, body systems, procedures, indications, and criteria points, and wherein each criteria set contains data and rules for determining when the intended course of action is medically appropriate;
• means for inputting patient and case information;
• means for selecting a review type;
• means for selecting a level of care within the review type;
• means for selecting a body system within a level of care;
• means for selecting a component within a body system;
• means for selecting an indication within the selected component;
• means for selecting criteria points within the selected indication based on the patient's clinical situation;
• means for determining, based on the selected criteria points, whether or not the intended course of action is medically appropriate;
• means for displaying the rules governing said determination;
• means for recording the steps of the review process;
• means for playback of the steps of the review process;
• means for including one or more rationale review notes in the criteria sets;
• means for associating the rationale review notes with procedures, indications, criteria points and rules;
• means for outputting the rationale review notes;
• and
• means for outputting one or more resource utilization reports.