Computerized Method and System for Inferring Genetic Findings for a Patient

Abstract

A method and system in a computing environment for inferring genetic findings for a patient is provided. The method includes receiving a request for genetic findings for a person from another application or a user. The method further includes inquiring as to whether the person has the genetic findings. If not, the method automatically provides inferred genetic findings for the person. The inferred genetic findings are calculated using genetic findings for family members of the patient, linkage analysis, haplotype analysis, semantic test results for the person and/or population genetics information.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method in a computer system for inferring genetic findings for a patient, the method comprising:
 recognizing a gene as being pertinent to a clinical agent or a clinical event being considered for the patient;   attempting to locate actual genetic findings, for the recognized gene, previously taken for the patient;   when unable to locate the actual genetic findings of the patient, automatically determining inferred genetic findings for the patient, wherein the process of determining comprises:
 (a) using genetic inheritance principles to identify one or more family members of the patient that potentially carry the recognized gene; and 
 (b) attempting to locate actual genetic findings, for the recognized gene, previously taken for the one or more identified family members; and 
   informing a clinician of the inferred genetic findings.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein attempting to locate actual genetic findings comprises inspecting an electronic medical record (EMR) of the patient. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising determining from the EMR that the patient had previously consented to determining and using the inferred genetic findings. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising scheduling appointments between the clinician and the patient as a function of the inferred genetic findings. 
     
     
         5 . A method in a computer system for identifying genetic findings for a patient that are contraindicated with a clinical agent or a clinical event, the method comprising:
 attempting to locate genetic findings previously taken for the patient;   when unable to locate the genetic findings of the patient, automatically determining inferred genetic findings for the patient, wherein the process of determining comprises using genetic inheritance principles to identify one or more family members whose genetic findings are located, the genetic finding being previously taken for the one or more identified family members;   recognizing one or more genes as being contraindicated to the clinical agent or the clinical event being considered for the patient; and   informing a clinician of the inferred genetic findings and a contraindication.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein attempting to locate genetic findings comprises inspecting an electronic medical record (EMR) of the patient. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising determining from the EMR that the patient had previously consented to determining and using the inferred genetic findings. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising scheduling appointments between the clinician and the patient as a function of the inferred genetic findings.