Experience with a computerized interactive protocol system using HELP

✍ Scribed by Scott R. Cannon; Reed M. Gardner

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1980
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 732 KB
• Volume: 13
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0010-4809
• DOI: 10.1016/0010-4809(80)90037-3

✦ Synopsis

A computerized, interactive audit and decisionmaking system based on the HELP system is proposed for non-physician providers in ambulatory health care. Four protocols were implemented: upper respiratory-ear, nose, and throat; urinary tract infection; chronic hypertension; and chronic diabetes. Two physicians' assistants used the system for 175 patient encounters. Data entry error rates (1%) were significantly less than those of paper protocols, For the upper respiratory, ear, nose, and throat protocol, I I percent of the encounters resulted in physician referrals with one false-negative and four false-positive decisions. False-positive antibiotic therapy decisions by assistants were safely reduced. Patient acceptance of the automated self-history was good. No alienation of the assistants was noted. Less than two minutes per patient terminal time was required by the assistants.