Use of web services for computerized medical decision support, including infection control and antibiotic management, in the intensive care unit.
The increasing complexity of procedures in the intensive care unit (ICU) requires complex software services, to reduce improper use of antibiotics and inappropriate therapies, and to offer earlier and more accurate detection of infections and antibiotic resistance. We investigated whether web-based software can facilitate the computerization of complex medical processes in the ICU. The COSARA application contains the following modules: Infection overview, Thorax, Microbiology, Antibiotic therapy overview, Admission cause with comorbidity and admission diagnosis, Infection linking and registration, and Feedback. After the implementation and test phase, the COSARA software was installed on a physician's office PC and then on the bedside PCs of the patients. Initial evaluation indicated that the services had been integrated easily into the daily clinical workflow of the medical staff. The use of a service oriented architecture with web service technology for the development of advanced decision support in the ICU offers several advantages over classical software design approaches.
Steurbaut
Kristof
K
Ghent University, Department of Information Technology (INTEC), Gent, Belgium. kristof.steurbaut@intec.ugent.be
Van Hoecke
Sofie
S
Colpaert
Kirsten
K
Lamont
Kristof
K
Taveirne
Kristof
K
Depuydt
Pieter
P
Benoit
Dominique
D
Decruyenaere
Johan
J
De Turck
Filip
F
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003658:Decision Making, Computer-Assisted; D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004363:Drug Utilization; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D020407:Internet; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D012984:Software; D012985:Software Design; D018511:Systems Integration; D057188:Workflow
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents