Diagnostic tool using a predictive instrument

A method for determining a diagnostic test plan for a patient, said method comprising:

• monitoring EKG-related characteristics of the patient;
• based on the measured characteristics, computing a primary probability of a cardiac problem;
• computing a plurality of conditional probabilities for a selected diagnostic test, said conditional probabilities including a first probability of cardiac problem assuming the selected diagnostic test produces a first outcome and a second probability assuming the selected diagnostic test produces a second outcome;
• and
• displaying the computed primary probability as well as the plurality of computed conditional probabilities to a user as an aid to determining whether to administer the selected diagnostic test to the patient.

A diagnostic apparatus for use with a patient, said apparatus comprising:

• a monitoring device which during use monitors one or more clinical features of the patient;
• an output device;
• and
• a predictive instrument receiving input from the monitoring device and programmed to:
• (1) compute therefrom a primary probability of a medical outcome or diagnosis based on the monitored one or more clinical features;
• (2) compute a plurality of conditional probabilities for a selected diagnostic test, said plurality of conditional probabilities including a first probability of said medical outcome or diagnosis assuming the selected diagnostic test produces a first outcome and a second probability of said medical outcome or diagnosis assuming the selected diagnostic test produces a second outcome;
• and (3) display the computed primary probability along with the plurality of computed conditional probabilities on the output device.