Preliminary analysis of protocol for a home health care expert system

This thesis project describes a preliminary analysis of a computerized referral system. First, this study is concerned with defining the logic for the detection of 25 health problems causing home health care referral. These health problems are centered in ten basic categories of health care. In designing this logic it was found that the degree of impairment is highly important in considering the patient for home health care. Protocols for recognizing impairment work in conjunction with logic defining the ten health categories. The second aspect of the research dealt with analyzing of the validity of the logic in two areas of development, diabetes and would care. Since the Help Frame Language in which the logic was expressed is at a stage of incomplete development, simulation programs were written in PTXT Application Language, an in-house development to test logic frames. Analysis of the frames included two studies. The first study determines the correctness of the frames and the second compares the effectiveness of a computerized referral system with the current referral system. During frame analysis three studies were made focused on the current home health care system. The first study deals with determining if home health care provides adequate care for the patient. The second study deals with analysis of present referral rates from the hospital. Finally an investigation was complete to determine if patient age is and important criterion to consider for referral to home health care