System for delivering scenario specific, problem solving, decision support from non-intelligent computer systems

Abstract

Computational decision making systems and methods are provided for delivering scenario specific information. A decision making scenario has a number of variables and associated values. Input variables may be matched to data objects to find a match or the closest match. Decision information embodying the outcome of a decision making process may be associated with a grouped data object and the decision information associated with the best matching grouped data object or objects is provided.

1 . A computer system comprising:
 a computer readable medium including a plurality of decision data objects, each decision data object including one or more decision variables and associated with one or more clinical scenarios,   a processor coupled to the computer readable medium and configured to execute an instruction set stored on the computer readable medium, the instruction set instructing the processor to perform a method comprising:
 providing one or more input variables to a user, 
 receiving values for at least one of the provided input variables, 
 structuring the input variables and received values into an input data object, 
 matching the input data object to one or more of the decision data objects, and 
 providing decision information related to one or more of the clinical scenarios associated with the one or more decision data objects that match the input data object. 
   
     
     
         2 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the decision information includes a best practice associated with one or more clinical scenarios. 
     
     
         3 . The computer system of  claim 1 , further comprising a data input means coupled to the processor and the computer readable medium, the data input means configured to provide input variables and decision information and to receive values for the provided input variables. 
     
     
         4 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein matching includes comparing the decision variables to the input variables. 
     
     
         5 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
 providing additional variables to the user, the additional variables associated with one or more of the decision data objects that match the input data object;   receiving values for at least one of the additional variables;   structuring the input variables, additional variables, and their respective received values into an additional data object;   matching the additional data object to one or more decision data objects; and   providing additional decision information related to one or more of the clinical scenarios associated with the one or more decision data objects that match the additional data object.   
     
     
         6 . The computer system of  claim 5 , wherein matching includes comparing the decision variables to the input variables and additional variables. 
     
     
         7 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the decision information includes a request for values for one or more additional variables. 
     
     
         8 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the decision information includes a recommendation. 
     
     
         9 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein if the input data object matches a plurality of decision data objects, the method further comprises:
 providing additional variables to the user, the additional variables associated with one or more of the decision data objects that match the input data object;   receiving values for at least one of the additional variables;   structuring the input variables, additional variables, and their respective received values into an additional data object;   matching the additional data object to one or more decision data objects; and   providing additional decision information related to one or more of the clinical scenarios associated with the one or more decision data objects that match the additional data object.   
     
     
         10 . The computer system of  claim 9 , wherein the additional decision information is structured as one or more additional decision data objects. 
     
     
         11 . The computer system of  claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises storing the additional decision data object on the computer readable medium. 
     
     
         12 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the decision information is structured as one or more new decision data objects. 
     
     
         13 . The computer system of  claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises incorporating the one or more new decision data objects into the decision knowledge base. 
     
     
         14 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein if the input data object matches a plurality of decision data objects, the decision information includes a treatment that does not conflict with a best practice associated with any of the clinical scenarios associated with the decision data objects matching the input data object. 
     
     
         15 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the decision information includes a hierarchy, whereby selected data portions of the decision information are linked to further detailed data, and the further detailed data are selectively outputted or selectively extracted for output. 
     
     
         16 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein any of the input data objects, decision data objects, clinical scenarios, and decision information is provided to or received from a party other than the user. 
     
     
         17 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein any of the additional data objects, decision data objects, and additional decision information is provided to or received from a party other than the user. 
     
     
         18 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein matching includes multivariable pattern matching or filtering. 
     
     
         19 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the decision data objects belongs to a class, and each class is determined by a type or value of variables required to identify a match with the one or more decision data objects. 
     
     
         20 . The computer system of  claim 19 , wherein the knowledge base is structured hierarchically according to class. 
     
     
         21 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to provide the input variables and/or receive the values using a form or template. 
     
     
         22 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein matching includes using a search engine. 
     
     
         23 . The computer system of  claim 1 , further comprising an editorial tool module adapted to allow the input, management, update and customization of the plurality of decision data objects. 
     
     
         24 . A computer system comprising:
 a matching function module to compute a match or closest match between a set of inputted variable information and one or more predefined sets of variables, each of the predefined sets of variables associated with a predefined clinical scenario for a patient with a specific set of medical conditions, wherein each predefined set of variables is stored by the system as a grouped data object, wherein specific clinical management decision information is selected for output to a user, the selected clinical management decision information associated with one or more grouped data objects that match or most closely match the set of inputted variable information, the matching function module configured to request additional variable information upon a determination that the set of inputted variable information equally matches a plurality of predefined sets of variable;   a data function module to create and retain further data objects defining additional predefined information in response to the selected specific clinical management decision information and inputted variable information; and   an output module to output the specific clinical management decision information to the user.   
     
     
         25 . A method of supporting a patient-specific clinical management decision using a computational system, the method comprising:
 providing a clinical medicine decision knowledge base including a plurality of decision data objects and corresponding information related to outcomes of clinical management decisions associated with the decision data objects;   identifying one or more decision variables associated with a clinical management decision associated with a decision data object;   providing the decision variables to a user;   receiving input data corresponding to values for the decision variables associated with a patient having a medical condition;   structuring the input data into an input data object having a structure complementary to at least one of the decision data objects;   matching the input data object to a plurality of the decision data objects;   providing additional decision variables to the user, the additional decision variables associated with one or more of the decision data objects that match the input data object;   receiving additional input data corresponding to values for the additional decision variables;   structuring the input data and additional input data into an additional data object;   matching the additional data object to one or more of the decision data objects;   identifying specific clinical management decision information associated with one or more of the decision data objects matching the additional input data object; and   outputting the specific clinical management decision information to the user.   
     
     
         26 . A computer system comprising:
 a processor;   a computer readable medium having instructions for execution by the processor, the processor executing the instructions to:
 provide an input variable to a user; 
 receive a value for the provided input variable; 
 structure the input variable and the received value into an input data object; 
 match the input data object to a decision data object; and 
 provide decision information related to a clinical scenario associated with the decision data object.