For example, laboratory data being stored in the repository is examined by a Medical Logic Module, which then queries the patient's record, determines that a problem does exist, and sends a mail message to the patient's physician.
Each message that is sent to the central hub can trigger automatic review of a patient's record. The record is evaluated by a set of rules called Medical Logic Modules (MLM's), which are written in a high-level language (the Arden Syntax). Different rules are activated depending on the content of the message. Each MLM contains the logic necessary to make a single medical decision. To do this, the MLM retrieves certain items of clinical data from the Clinical Repository and checks whether a set of criteria are satisfied. If so, the appropriate action is taken. Typical actions include storing an alert or an interpretation in the Repository for review by the health care provider, sending an electronic mail message to the health care provider, or even evoking other MLM's. MLM's can provide alerts, management critiques, therapy suggestions, diagnosis scores, and screening for research studies.
For example, laboratory data being stored in the repository is examined by a Medical Logic Module, which then queries
the patient's record, determines that a problem does exist, and sends a mail message to the patient's physician.