title: Medical expert systems developed in j.MD, a Java based expert system shell: application in clinical laboratories.
abstract: Growing complexity of diagnostic tests, combined with increased workload, stringent laboratory accreditation demands, continuous shortening of turn-around-time and budget restrictions have forced laboratories to automate most of their iterative tasks. Introduction of artificial intelligence by means of expert systems has gained an important place in this automation process. Different parts of clinical laboratory activity can benefit from their implementation and the present project deals with one aspect, namely the clinical interpretation of diagnostic tests. This paper describes how j.MD, a new Java based expert system shell, was used to reprogram the expert system for interpretation of amylase isoenzyme patterns that has been in use for many years in our laboratory, and that was originally programmed in Pro.MD, a Prolog based expert system shell. One of the most important advantages of the j.MD system is its bidirectional link with the laboratory information system. This project shows how expert systems for the interpretation of complex diagnostic tests that demand specific expertise can become an integrated part of the automated clinical chemistry lab.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Viviane
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Van Hoof
authors.forename: Arno
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wormek
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schleutermann
authors.forename: Theo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schumacher
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lothaire
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trendelenburg
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis*; D000681:Amylases / Q000032:analysis*; D001322:Autoanalysis; D002624:Chemistry, Clinical; D002984:Clinical Laboratory Information Systems; D005103:Expert Systems; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis; D007753:Laboratories; D011381:Programming Languages; D018511:Systems Integration
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D000681:Amylases