Jump to content

Protocol system

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Katey Harris (talk | contribs) at 00:50, 23 May 2013 (Passive Protocol Systems). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

In a healthcare setting, a protocol, also called a medical guideline, is a set of instructions which describe a process to be followed to investigate a particular set of finding in a patient or the method which should be followed to control of a certain disease.

The main purpose of a computer-based protocol system is to provide a set of tools which allow health care providers access to current guidelines which they can apply in practice.[1] Studies have shown that protocols can aid in optimising patient care[2] There are two types of protocol systems: passive and active. There are two types of protocol systems: passive and active.

Passive Protocol Systems

Passive protocol systems are a source of information which healthcare providers have the freedom to choose to consult or not, they are not intrinsically incorporated into the healthcare process. The purpose of a passive protocol system is to give healthcare providers access to information which may remind healthcare providers of steps during patient care which may otherwise be forgotten or changed. [3]

Active Protocol Systems

Active protocol systems are specific guidelines for healthcare providers to follow. They are a central way which healthcare is delivered. Examples of active protocol systems include trigger automated order-entry systems and appointment scheduling. Active protocol systems may provide an explanation function which offers background information, definitions and risks as well as the rationale that supported specific recommendations.[3]

References

  1. ^ Coiera, E. (2003) Guide to Health Informatics. Great Britain: Hodder Education
  2. ^ Vissers, M., Biert, J., van der Liden, C., & Hasman, A. (1996). Effects of a supportive protocol processing system (ProtoVIEW) on clinical behaviour of residents in the Accident and Emergency department. Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine, Volume 49. Pages 177-184. Retrieved from http://0-www.sciencedirect.com.alpha2.latrobe.edu.au/science/article/pii/0169260795017143
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Coiera was invoked but never defined (see the help page).