Method for the construction and utilization of a medical records system

A method for the utilization of a medical records system, comprising:

• maintaining in combination with a first data processor a searchable electronic database storing prior epidemiological information of persons previously having symptoms of a heterogeneous infectious disease, wherein the prior epidemiological information is organized to make the prior epidemiological information amenable to data mining, the database including a record of a plurality of different types of pathogens known for causing the disease, antimicrobials used for treating the disease, and treatment efficacy of the antimicrobials;
• receiving from a second data processor through a query function of the first data processor in combination with the database patient epidemiological information of a patient diagnosed as having or suspected of having the heterogeneous infectious disease and seeking a suggested treatment, the patient epidemiological information not including an identification of an actual pathogen infecting the patient to cause the disease and including at least one symptom of the patient and demographic and personal information for the patient;
• automatically predicting with the first data processor and the database a specific pathogen infecting the patient from the record of the plurality of different types of pathogens known for causing the disease by data mining the organized epidemiological information as a function of similarities of the patient epidemiological information with the organized epidemiological information and without first performing a diagnostic test on a sample from the patient;
• the first data processor and the database automatically prescribing a course of treatment to the patient seeking the suggested treatment based on the prediction of the actual pathogen infecting the patient, wherein the course of treatment is communicated to the patient through the second data processor.

A method for the utilization of a medical records system, comprising:

• maintaining a searchable electronic database storing prior epidemiological information of persons previously having symptoms of a heterogeneous infectious disease, wherein the prior epidemiological information is organized to make the prior epidemiological information amenable to data mining, the database including a record of a plurality of different types of pathogens known for causing the disease, antimicrobials used for treating the disease, and treatment efficacy of the antimicrobials;
• receiving from a medical practitioner through a query function of the database patient epidemiological information of a patient diagnosed as having or suspected of having a heterogeneous infectious disease, the patient epidemiological information including at least one symptom of the patient and demographic and personal information for the patient;
• automatically predicting with a data processor in communication with the database a specific pathogen infecting the patient from the record of the plurality of different types of pathogens known for causing the disease by data mining the organized epidemiological information as a function of similarities of the patient epidemiological information with the organized epidemiological information and without first receiving a diagnostic test on a sample from the patient;
• the data processor automatically issuing to the medical practitioner a report including at least one of the predicted specific pathogen or an antimicrobial treatment for the patient based on the predicted specific pathogen.