CA2378005C - Telemedical expert service provision for intensive care units - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for providing continuous expert network critical care serices from a remote location. A plurality of intensive care units (ICU's) with associated patient monitoring instrumentation is connected over a netwo rk to a command center which is manned by intensivists 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The intensivists are prompted to provide critical care by a standardiz ed series of guideline algorithms for treating a variety of critical care conditions. Intensivists monitor the progress of individual patients at remo te intensive care units. A smart alarm system provides alarms to the intensivis ts to alert the intensivists to potential patient problems so that intervention can occur in a timely fashion. A data storage/data warehouse function analyz es individual patient information from a plurality of command centers and provides updated algorithms and critical care support to the command centers .

Description

t Title: System and Method for Providing Continuous, Expert Network 2 Critical Care Services from a Remote Locations) 7 1. Field of the Invention 8 This invention relates generally to the care of patients in Intensive Care Units 9 (ICUs). More particularly this invention is a system and method for care of the critically 1o ill that combines a real-time, mufti-node telemedicine network and an integrated, 11 computerized patient care management system to enable specially-trained Intensivists to ~2 provide 24-hour/7-day-per-week patient monitoring and management to multiple, 13 geographically dispersed ICUs from both on-site and remote locations.
14 2. Background Art While the severity of illness of ICU patients over the past 15 years has increased t6 dramatically, the level of and type of physician coverage in most ICUs has remained t7 constant. Most ICU patients receive brief minutes of attention during morning rounds 18 from physicians with limited critical care experience. During the remainder of the day and 19 night, nurses are the primary caregivers, with specialists called only after patient conditions have started to deteriorate. The result of this mismatch between severity of 21 illness and physician coverage is an unacceptably high ICU mortality rate (10%
22 nationwide), and a high prevalence of avoidable errors that result in clinical complications.
23 In 1998, an Institute of Medicine Roundtable determined that avoidable patient 24 complications were the single largest problem in medical care delivery. In another prominent 1998 study of 1000 patients, 46% experienced an avoidable adverse event in 26 care, with 40% of these errors resulting in serious disability or death.
27 The physicians who can remedy this situation are in critically short supply.
28 Numerous studies have shown that Intensivists (physicians who have trained and board 29 certified in Critical Care Medicine) can markedly improve patient outcomes.
However, only one-third of all ICU patients ever has an Intensivist involved in their care, and the 31 number of Intensivists would need to increase tenfold (nationally) to provide 24-hour 1 coverage to all ICU patients. With the rapid aging of the population, this shortfall of 2 expertise is going to increase dramatically.
3 Even where Intensivists are present (and especially where they are not), patients 4 suffer from unnecessary variation in practice. There is little incentive for physicians to develop and conform to evidence-based best practices (it takes significant work and a 6 change in behavior to develop and implement them). This variation contributes to sub optimal outcomes, in both the quality and cost of care delivered to ICU
patients.
8 What is needed is a redesigning of the critical care regimen offered to patients in 9 an ICU. Rather than the consultative model where a periodic visit takes place and the to doctor then goes away, a more active 24-hour intensivist managed care is required.
1 t Further, technology that leverages the intensivists' expertise and standardizes the care t2 afforded to patients in an ICU is required. Further, continuous feedback to improve the 13 practice of intensivists in an ICU is necessary to provide the intervention required to 14 minimize adverse events. This invention seeks to provide new methods for managing and delivering care to the critically ill.
16 Attempts to automate various aspects of patient care have been the subject of 17 various inventions. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5.868,669 to Miff was issued for 18 "Computerized Medical Diagnostic and Treatment Advice System." The disclosed 19 invention is for a system and method for providing computerized knowledge based 2o medical diagnostic and treatment advice to the general public over a telephone network.
21 U.S. Patent No. 5,823.948 to Ross, Jr. et al was issued for "Medical Records 22 Documentation, Tracking and Order Entry System". The disclosed invention is for a 23 system and method that computerizes medical records, documentation, tracking and order 24 entries. A teleconferencing system is employed to allow patient and medical personnel to communicate with each other. A video system can be employed to videotape a patient's 26 consent.
27 U.S. Patent No. 4,878,175 to Norden-Paul et al. was issued for "Method for 28 Generating Patient-Specific Flowsheets By Adding/Deleting Parameters." The disclosed 29 invention is for an automated clinical records system for automated entry of bedside 3o equipment results, such as an EKG monitor, respirator, etc. The system allows for 31 information to be entered at the bedside using a terminal having input means and a video 32 display.

t U.S. Patent No. 5,544,649 to David et al. was issued for "Ambulatory Patient 2 Health Monitoring Techniques Utilizing Interactive Visual Communications."
The 3 disclosed invention is for an interactive visual system, which allows monitoring of patients 4 at remote sites, such as the patient's home. Electronic equipment and sensors are used at the remote site to obtain data from the patient, which is sent to the monitoring site. The 6 monitoring site can display and save the video, audio and patient's data.
7 U.S. Patent No. 5,867,821 to Ballantyne et al. was issued for "Method and 8 Apparatus for Electronically Accessing and Distributing Personal Health Care Information 9 and Services in Hospitals and Homes." The disclosed invention is for an automated to system and method for distribution and administration of medical services, entertainment t t services, and electronic health records for health care facilities.
12 U.S. Patent No. 5,832,450 to Myers et al. issued for "Electronic Medical Record 13 Using Text Database." The disclosed invention is for an electronic medical record system, t4 which stores data about patient encounters arising from a content generator in freeform text.
16 U.S. Patent No. 5.812,983 to Kumagai was issued for "Computer Medical File and 17 Chart System." The disclosed invention is for a system and method which integrates and 18 displays medical data in which a computer program links a flow sheet of a medical record t9 to medical charts.
2o U.S. Patent No. 4,489,387 to Lamb et al. was issued for "Method and Apparatus 2t for Coordinating Medical Procedures." The disclosed invention is for a method and 22 apparatus that coordinates two or more medical teams to evaluate and treat a patient at the 23 same time without repeating the same steps.
24 U.S. Patent No. 4,731,725 to Suto et al. issued for "Data Processing System which Suggests a Pattern of Medical Tests to Reduce the Number of Tests Necessary to 26 Confirm or Deny a Diagnosis." The disclosed invention is for a data processing system 27 that uses decision trees for diagnosing a patient's symptoms to confirm or deny the 28 patient's ailment.
29 U.S. Patent No. 5,255,187 to Sorensen issued for "Computer Aided Medical Diagnostic Method and Apparatus." The disclosed invention is for an interactive 31 computerized diagnostic system which relies on color codes which signify the presence or 1 absence of the possibility of a disease based on the symptoms a physician provides the 2 system.
3 U.S. Patent No. 5,839,438 to Chen et al. issued for "Intelligent Remote Visual 4 Monitoring System for Home Health Care Service." The disclosed invention is for a computer-based remote visual monitoring system, which provides in-home patient health 6 care from a remote location via ordinary telephone lines.
U.S. Patent No. 5.842,978 to Levy was issued for "Supplemental Audio Visual 8 Emergency Reviewing Apparatus and Method." The disclosed invention is for a system 9 which videotapes a patient and superimposes the patient's vital statistics onto the t0 videotape.
11 While these invention provide useful records management and diagnostic tool, t2 none of them provides a comprehensive method for monitoring and providing real time 13 critical care at disparate ICU's. In short, they are NOT designed for critical care. Further, t4 none of these inventions provide for the care of a full time intensivist backed by appropriate database and decision support assistance in the intensive care environment.
t6 What would be useful is a system and method for providing care for the critically ill that 17 maximizes the presence of an intensivist trained in the care of the critically. Further such 18 a system would standardize the care in ICU's at a high level and reduce the mortality rate 19 of patients being cared for in ICU's 2o SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
21 The present invention provides a core business of Continuous Expert Care 22 Network (CXCN) solution for hospital intensive care units (ICUs). This e-solution uses 23 network, database, and decision support technologies to provide 24-hour connectivity 24 between Intensivists and ICUs. The improved access to clinical information and continuous expert oversight leads to reduced clinical complications, fewer medical errors, 26 reduced mortality, reduced length of stay, and reduced overall cost per case.
27 The technology of the present invention as explained below can be implemented 28 all at once or in stages. Thus the technology, as more fully explained below is available in 29 separate components to allow for the fact that hospitals may not be able to implement all of the technology at once. Thus modular pieces (e.g. videoconferencing, vital sign 3~ monitoring with smart alarms, hand-held physician productivity tools, etc.) can be 32 implemented, all of which can add value in a stand-alone capacity. First amongst these I offerings will be an Intensivist Decision Support System, a stand-alone software 2 application that codifies evidence-based, best practice medicine for 150 common ICU
3 clinical scenarios. These support algorithms are explained more fully below.
4 The "Command Center" model, again as more fully set forth below, will ultimately s give way to a more distributed remote management model where Intensivists and other 6 physicians can access ICU patients and clinicians (voice, video, data) from their office or 7 home. In this scenario, the present invention will be available in hospital applications that 8 centralize ICU information, and offer physicians web-based applications that provide them 9 with real-time connectivity to this information and to the ICUs. This access and to connectivity will enable physicians to monitor and care for their patients remotely. These I I products will be natural extensions and adaptations of the present invention and the 12 existing applications disclosed herein that hose skilled in the art will appreciate and which 13 do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein.
14 The present invention addresses these issues and shortcomings of the existing I5 situation in intensive care, and its shortfalls via two major thrusts.
First, an integrated 16 video/voice/data network application enables continuous real-time management of ICU
17 patients from a remote setting. Second, a client-server database application B integrated to IS the remote care network B provides the data analysis, data presentation, productivity tools 19 and expert knowledge base that enables a single Intensivist to manage the care of up to 40 2o patients simultaneously. The combination of these two thrusts B care management from a 21 remote location and new, technology-enhanced efficiency of Intensivist efforts B allows 22 health care systems to economically raise the standard of care in their ICUs to one of 24x7 23 continuous Intensivist oversight.
24 It is therefore an object of the present invention to reduce avoidable complications 25 in an ICU.
26 It is a further object of the present invention to reduce unexplained variations in 27 resource utilization in an ICU.
28 It is a further objective of the present invention to mitigate the serious shortage of 29 intensivists.
3o It is yet another objective of the present invention to reduce the occurrence of 31 adverse events in an ICU.

1 It is a further objective of the present invention to standardize the care at a high 2 level among ICUs.
3 It is yet another objective of the present invention to reduce the cost of ICU care.
4 It is yet another objective of the present invention to dramatically decrease the mortality in an ICU.
6 It is yet another objective of the present invention to bring information from the 7 ICU to the intensivist, rather than bring the intensivist to the ICU.
s It is a further objective of the present invention to combine tele-medical systems 9 comprising two-way audio/video communication with a continuous real time feed of to clinical information to enable the intensivist to oversee care within the ICU.
t It is a further objective of the present invention to allow intensivists to monitor 12 ICUs from a site remote from each individual ICU.
13 It is a further objective of the present invention to bring organized detailed clinical ~4 information to the intensivist, thereby providing standardized care in the ICU.
t5 It is yet another objective of the present invention to utilize knowledge-based 16 software to use rules, logic, and expertise to provide preliminary analysis and warnings for 17 the intensivists.
~8 It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide a video visitation 19 system that allows persons at remote locations using remote terminals to participate in a 20 video/audio conferencing session with a patient or his/her caregivers local to a patient site.
21 The present invention comprises a command center/remote location, which is 22 electronically linked to ICUs remote from the command center/remote location. The 23 command center/remote location is manned by intensivists 24 hours a day, seven days per 24 week. Each ICU comprises a nurse's station, to which data flows from individual beds in 25 the ICU. Each patient in the ICU is monitored by a video camera, as well as by clinical z6 monitors typical for the intensive care unit. These monitors provide constant real time 27 patient information to the nurse's station, which in turn provides that information over a 28 dedicated T-1 (high bandwidth) line to the ICU command center/remote location. As 29 noted earlier; the command center/remote location is remote from the ICU, thereby 3o allowing the command center/remote location to simultaneously monitor a number of 3t patients in different ICUs remote from the command center/remote location.

t At each command center/remote location, video monitors exist so that the 2 intensivist can visually monitor patients within the ICU. Further, the intensivist can steer 3 and zoom the video camera near each patient so that specific views of the patient may be 4 obtained, both up close and generally. Audio links allow intensivists to talk to patients and s staff at an ICU bed location and allow those individuals to converse with the intensivist.
6 Clinical data is constantly monitored and presented to the command center/remote 7 location in real time so that the intensivist can not only monitor the video of the patient but s also see the vital signs as transmitted from the bedside. The signals from the clinical data 9 and video data are submitted to a relational database, which comprises 1) standardized 1o guidelines for the care of the critically ill, 2) various algorithms to support the intensive 11 care regimen, 3) order writing software so that knowledge-based recommendations and 12 prescriptions for medication can be made based upon the clinical data, and 4) knowledge-13 based vital sign/hemodynamic algorithms that key the intensivist to engage in early 14 intervention to minimize adverse events.
is The advantage ofthe present invention is that intensivists see all patients at a 16 plurality of ICU's at all times. Further, there is a continuous proactive intensivist care of 17 all patients within the ICU, thereby minimizing adverse events.
Intervention is triggered is by evidence-based data-driven feedback to the intensivist so that standardized care can be t9 provided across a plurality of ICUs.
2o The economic benefits of the present invention are manifold. For the first time, 21 24-hour a day, seven day a week intensivist care for patients in an ICU can be obtained.
22 Further, more timely interventions in the care of the patients can be created by the 23 knowledge-based guidelines of the present invention, thereby minimizing complications z4 and adverse events. This in turn will lead to a reduced mortality within the ICU, and 2s hence, a reduced liability cost due to the dramatic reduction in avoidable errors in health 26 care.
27 By providing timely interventions, the length of stay within the ICU can be greatly 2s reduced, thereby allowing more critically ill patients to be cared for in the ICU.
29 In addition, by reviewing and standardizing the care afforded to patients in an ICU, 3o a more standardized practice across a variety of ICUs can be achieved. This will lead to 31 more cost-effective care within the ICU, and reduced ancillary cost for the care of the 32 critically ill.

The overall architecture of the present invention comprises a "pod." The pod 2 comprises a tele-medicine command center/remote location connected to a plurality 3 multiple ICUs at various locations. The connection between the command center/remote 4 location and the ICUs is via a dedicated wide-area network linking the ICUs to the command center/remote location and a team of intensivists who integrate their services to 6 provide 24-hour, seven day a week care to all of the pod ICUs.
7 The pod is connected via a wide-area network using dedicated T-1 lines, for 8 example, with redundant backup. This network provides reliable, high speed secure 9 transmission of clinical data and video/audio signals between each patient room and the io command center/remote location. The use of a T-1 line is not meant as a limitation. It is t t expected that more and higher bandwidth networks will become available.
Such high t2 bandwidth networks would come within the scope of the invention as well.
13 Each patient room is equipped with a pan/tilt/zoom video camera with audio and 14 speaker to enable full videoconferencing capability. In addition, computer workstations are dedicated for exclusive physician use in each ICU, preferably at the nurse's station.
16 Intensivists use the workstations to view patient information, consult decision support '7 information, record their notes, and generate patient orders.
18 The patient management software used by intensivists is provided across the pod.
t9 Updates and changes made to the record are available at both the ICU and the command center/remote location for any given patient.
2t Each command center/remote location contains at least three workstations:
one for 22 the intensivist, one for the critical care registered nurse, and one for a clerk/administrative 23 person.
24 The intensivist workstation comprises separate monitors for displaying ICU
video 2s images of patients and/or ICU personnel, output from bedside monitoring equipment, 26 patient clinical data comprising history, notes, lab reports, etc., and decision support 27 information. The staff at the command center/remote location are able to activate and 2s control the cameras in each patient's room so that appropriate visual views of the patient 29 can be generated.
Intensivists are able to switch between rooms and patients and can monitor at least 3t two rooms simultaneously via the video screens. Patient data such as X-ray and ECG

"," i ", ~ v" " .

images are scanned and transmitted to the command center/remote location upon request of the intensivist.
Remote patient management is utilized in the present invention's critical care program to supplement traditional onsite care. The rationale underlying the remote patient management of the present invention is that critically ill patients are inherently unstable and require continuous expert care that is not now offered in existing ICU monitoring regiments. Further, remote monitoring allows a single intensivist to care for patients in multiple ICU
locations, thereby creating an efficiency that makes continuous care feasible.
Remote intensivist care of the present invention is proactive. Intensivists will order needed therapies and check results of tests and monitor modalities in a more timely fashion than is currently offered. Patients can be observed visually when needed using the ceiling-mounted cameras in each room.
Command center/remote location personnel communicate with ICU staff through videoconferencing and through "hot phones", which are dedicated telephones directly linked between the command center/remote location and the ICU. These communications links are used to discuss patient care issues and to communicate when a new order has been generated.
Intensivists document important events occurring during their shift in progress notes generated on the command center/remote location computer terminal.

," i."n"" , , Intensivists detect impending problems by intermittently screening patient data, including both real time and continuously stored vital sign data. Patient severity of illness determines the frequency with which each patient's data is reviewed by the intensivists.
A video visitation system allows Remote Visitation Participants (RVPs) at remote terminals to participate in a video/audio conferencing session with a Local Visitation Participants) (LVPs) (e. g., the patient or the patient's caregivers) at a patient site.
The invention may be summarized according to one aspect as a system for providing expert critical care simultaneously to a plurality of geographically dispersed intensive care units (ICUs) from a remote location, the system comprising: a network; a plurality of geographically dispersed ICUs comprising means for monitoring patient data elements from a patient and means for transmitting the monitored patient data elements to a remote command center by the network; the remote command center connected to the network and comprising: a database, wherein the database comprises stored patient data elements relating to the patient; a computerized patient care management system connected to a workstation, wherein the computerized patient care management system is adapted for: receiving the monitored patient data elements from the plurality of geographically dispersed ICUs; storing the monitored patient data elements in the database; applying a rules engine to at least two patient data elements stored in the database; and monitoring the medical condition in the patients and utilizing the output from the rules engine to determine if 9a ," i. ", , ,." . , intervention is warranted; and wherein the monitoring and intervention for individual patients in the plurality of geographically dispersed ICUs occurs 24 hours per day 7 days per week.
According to another aspect the invention provides a method for providing expert critical care simultaneously to a plurality of geographically dispersed intensive care units (ICUs) from a remote location comprising: monitoring patient data elements of patients in a plurality of geographically dispersed ICUs; communicating over a network the monitored patient data elements to a remote command center, the remote command center comprising a database and a workstation; storing the monitored patient data elements in the database, wherein the database comprises stored patient data elements; applying a rules engine to at least two patient data elements stored in the database to monitor the medical condition in the patients; and utilizing the output from the rules engine to determine if intervention is warranted; and wherein the monitoring and determining if intervention is warranted for individual patients occurs 24 hours per day 7 days per week.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates the logical data structure for billing, insurance and demographic information.
Figure lA illustrates the logical data structure for billing, insurance and demographic information (cont).
9b 1".~ l i", Figure 2 illustrates the command center logical data structure.
Figure 2A illustrates the command center logical data structure (cont).
9c t Figures 3 illustrates the logical data structure for creating a medical history 2 Figure 4 illustrates the logical data structure for creating notes relating to patient 3 treatment and diagnosis 4 Figure 4A illustrates the logical data structure for creating notes relating to patient treatment and diagnosis (cont) 6 Figure 4B illustrates the logical data structure for creating notes relating to patient 7 treatment and diagnosis (cont) 8 Figure 5 illustrates the logical data structure for entry of medical orders 9 Figure 6 illustrates the logical data structure for patient care, laboratory testing and to diagnostic imaging 1 t Figure 6A illustrates the logical data structure for patient care, laboratory testing 12 and diagnostic imaging (cont) 13 Figure 7 illustrates the logical data structure for categories of information that are t4 permitted to be presented to intensivists and other care givers by the system is Figure 8 illustrates the logical data structure for documenting patient vital signs t6 Figure 8A illustrates the logical data structure for documenting patient vital signs t ~ (cont) ig Figure 9 illustrates the distributed architecture of the present invention t9 Figure 10 illustrates the system architecture of the present invention 20 Figure 11 illustrates the decision support algorithm for decision support algorithm 2t for diagnosis and treatment of pancreatitis.
22 Figure 12 illustrates the vital signs data flow.
23 Figure 13A illustrates capture and display of diagnostic imaging.
24 Figure 13B illustrates establishing videoconferencing in the present invention.
25 Figure 14 illustrates the physician resources order writing data interface of the 26 present invention.
27 Figure 15 illustrates the physician resources database data interface of the present 28 invention.
29 Figure 16 illustrates the automated coding and billing system integrated with the 3o workflow and dataflow of the present invention.
31 Figure 17 illustrates the order writing data flow of the present invention.
32 Figure 18 illustrates the event log flow of the present invention.
t0 1 Figure 19 illustrates the smart alarms implementation of the present invention.
2 Figure 20 illustrates the procedure note creation and line log for the present 3 invention.
4 Figure 21 illustrates the acalculous cholecystitis decision support algorithm s Figure 22 illustrates the adrenal insufficiency decision support algorithm 6 Figure 23 illustrates the blunt cardiac injury decision support algorithm 7 Figure 24 illustrates the candiduria decision support algorithm 8 Figure 25 illustrates the cervical spine injury decision support algorithm 9 Figure 26 illustrates the oliguria decision support algorithm 1o Figure 26A illustrates the oliguria decision support algorithm (coat) 11 Figure 26B illustrates the oliguria decision support algorithm (cont) 12 Figure 27 illustrates the open fractures decision support algorithm 13 Figure 28 illustrates the pancreatitis decision support algorithm 14 Figure 29 illustrates the penicillin allergy decision support algorithm 15 Figure 30 illustrates the post-op hypertension decision support algorithm 16 Figure 31 illustrates the pulmonary embolism decision support algorithm 17 Figure 31A illustrates the pulmonary embolism decision support algorithm (cont) 18 Figure 32 illustrates the seizure decision support algorithm 19 Figure 33 illustrates the SVT determination decision support algorithm 2o Figure 33A illustrates the SVT unstable decision support algorithm 21 Figure 34 illustrates the wide complex QRS Tachycardia decision support 22 algorithm 23 Figure 34A illustrates the wide complex QRS Tachycardia decision support 24 algorithm (cont) 25 Figure 35 illustrates the assessment of sedation decision support algorithm 26 Figure 35A illustrates the assessment of sedation decision support algorithm (cont) 27 Figure 36 illustrates the bolus sliding scale midazolam decision support algorithm 28 Figure 37 illustrates the sedation assessment algorithm decision support algorithm 29 Figure 38 illustrates the short term sedation process decision support algorithm 30 Figure 39 illustrates the respiratory isolation decision support algorithm 31 Figure 40 illustrates the empiric meningitis treatment decision support algorithm 32 Figure 41 illustrates the ventilator weaning decision support algorithm 1 Figure 41A illustrates the ventilator weaning decision support algorithm (cont) 2 Figure 42 illustrates the warfarin dosing decision support algorithm 3 Figure 43 illustrates the HIT-2 diagnostic decision support algorithm 4 Figure 44 illustrates a video visitation system according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention 6 Definitions of Terms and Data 7 Definitions of Modules In the following Detailed description of the Invention, a 8 number of modules and procedures are described. For purposes of definitions, the 9 following module definitions apply and are more fully amplified in the descriptions of the to figures that follow:
11 Term Definitions:
12 Following are a series of definitions for certain terms used in this specification:
13 Insurance carrier: This is a table of all the valid insurance carriers listed in the 14 system of the present invention.
Patient guarantor: Provides the insurance guarantor information for a given patient.
16 Patient information: Provides demographic information for each patient.
17 Medical event date history: This contains the various disorders of the patient and 18 the dates associated with major medical events relating to those disorders.
19 Medical history: Contains non-major system medical history of a patient.
2o Drug: Contains what medication and allergies have been identified for a patient at 21 admission.
22 Address: Contains the address or addresses for a given patient.
23 Patient visit: There may be multiple records for any given patient, since the patient 24 may visit the ICU on more than one occasion. This file contains a record of each visit to an ICU by a patient.
26 Physician-patient task: Contains the task that had been defined for each patient.
27 Present illness: This contains a textural description of the patient illness for the 28 specific ICU visit.
29 Physical exam: This contains the information gathered as a result of a physical 3o examination of the patient during the admission to the ICU.
31 Surgical fluids: This provides all the information related to the fluids provided 32 during surgery.

1 Surgery: This contains all information pertaining to any surgical procedure 2 performed on a patient while the patient is at the ICU.
3 Patient admit: This provides general information that needs to be gathered when a 4 patient is admitted into the ICU.
Medical orders: This provides the general information for all types of medical 6 orders associated with a given patient.
7 Daily treatment: This contains the treatment provided for a given patient on a given 8 day.
9 Daily diagnosis: This contains the daily diagnosis for a given patient, which t0 includes neurological, cardiological, pulmonary, renal, endocrinological, and any other 11 diagnosis that may be associated with a patient.
12 Vital sign information is also critical to the administration of care in the ICU. A
t3 number of different modules collect information relating to patient vital signs. For 14 example:
Patient admit: This provides the general information that needs to be gathered t6 when a patient is admitted to the ICU.
17 Patient visit: This contains a record of each visit to an ICU by a patient.
18 Patient: Provides demographic information for each patient.
t9 Vital sign header: This contains general information related to the vital sign data 2o for the particular patient.
21 Vital sign: Contains the vital sign data taken at specific intervals for a given 22 patient.
23 ~ Hospital: This contains identifying information for a particular hospital where the 24 care is given.
ICU bed: Contains the association for identifying which beds are in a given ICU.
26 Command center/remote location definitions and modules have also been created 27 for the present invention to allow for the orderly storage and retrieval and entering of data.
28 For example:
29 Physician-physician (such as nurses and LPN and the like): Contains the names of 3o all of the physicians and physician extenders for the command center/remote location as 31 well as for ICUs associated with the command center/remote location.

1 Communication: Contains all of the various types of communication vehicles used 2 to contact an individual physician or physician extender.
3 Physician role: Contains the role a physician is playing for a given patient, (i.e., 4 primary care, consultant, etc.) Patient: Provides demographic information for each patient.
6 Command center/remote location: Provides identifying information for a particular 7 command center/remote location.
8 Hospital: Contains identifying information for a particular hospital wherein an ICU
9 is located.
to ICU: Contains identifying information for an ICU at a hospital.
11 ICU bed: Contains the association for identifying which beds are in a given 12 hospital.
13 ICU patient location: Provides the association between an ICU and a patient and 14 identifies where a patient is located within an ICU in a particular hospital.
The order entry functionality of the present invention provides a critical service for 16 obtaining information on the patient during admission, medical orders, and procedures 17 provided to the patient during the ICU stay. For example:
18 Radiology: Contains all radiology performed on a particular patient.
19 Radiology results: Contains the results of each radiology test performed on the 2o particular patient.
21 Drugs: Contains all relevant information for all the drugs that a patient has been 22 administered.
23 Laboratory: Contains all laboratory tests ordered for a patient.
24 Microbiology result: Contains the results of microbiology organisms taken on a patient.
26 Laboratory result: Contains the results for a laboratory test ordered for a particular 27 patient.
2s DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
29 The present invention is a system and method for remote monitoring of ICU's from a distant command center/remote location. By monitoring a plurality of ICU's remotely, 31 intensivists can better spread their expertise over more ICU beds that heretofore 1 achievable. The presence of 24-hour a day/7 day-per-week intensivist care dramatically 2 decreases the mortality rates associated with ICU care.
3 Referring to Figures I and lA, the Billing and Demographic data structure of the 4 present invention is illustrated. Patient demographic information 9010 is collected on the particular patient. This information comprises all the typical kinds of information one 6 would normally gather on a patient such as first name, last name, telephone number, 7 marital status, and other types of information. Patient insurance information 9012 is s collected and associated with the patient demographic information 9010.
Patient 9 insurance information 9012 relates to information on the type of accident and related to information such as employment, employer name, place of service, and other information 11 that would relate to the accident that actually occurred (if at all) and which would have to 12 be reported to an insurance agency. This information is associated with the patient 13 demographic information which assigns the unique patient ID to the particular patient.
14 Insurance plan information 9008 is also created and stored and comprises insurance carrier ID's, the plan name, policy number, and group number. This 16 information on the insurance plan 9008 is also associated with the patient ID and 17 demographic information 9010.
18 Physician information 9002 is also created and stored for each physician associated 19 with the system of the present invention. Information such as first and last name, 2o credentials, and other information concerning the physician is saved. In addition, the 21 physician's role is identified 9004 and information concerning the physician and the 22 physician's role is associated with the particular patient via the patient ID stored in the 23 demographic information 9010.
24 Patient's are entered into the hospital by a hospital representative 9006 who has a representative ID which also is ultimately associated with the patient ID. In addition, 26 communications data 9000 is stored concerning how a representative can be reached (cell 27 phone, home phone etc.).
28 Referring now to Figure lA, the Overall Billing and Insurance data structure is 29 illustrated. An insurance provider number 9014 is also stored in the system. Each 3o physician is given a provider number and provider ID by each insurance company. Thus 31 data must be stored regarding the ID that is given to a particular physician by each 32 insurance provider. This information is also stored and can be associated ultimately with 1 treatment of the patient.
2 Each patient admitted to the hospital and to the ICU has a patient visit ID
3 associated with the patient 9017. This visit ID has patient ID information, ICU
4 information, admission date, and other information relevant to the specific visit. This information is illustrated in Figure IA. The visit ID 9017 is associated with the patient ID
6 9010 so that each visit can be tracked by patient.
Insurance carrier information 9018 is stored by the system and is associated with 8 the insurance plan information 9008 as appropriate. Thus the particular insurance carrier 9 with its name, address, and other identifying information 9018 is associated with the type l0 of plan 9008 carried by the patient. The insurance carrier information 9018 together with 11 the insurance plan information 9008 is associated with the patient via the patient ID
12 information 9010.
13 Patient address information 9020 and 9022 are collected for each individual patient 14 and associated with the patient demographic information 9010. If there is a patient guarantor, this information is obtained and stored with information on the guarantor 9026.
16 Such information as the guarantor's first and last name, date of birth, and other 17 information is stored and is illustrated in Figure lA. Further, the guarantor's address 9024 18 is also collected and ultimately associated with the patient demographic information 9010.
19 Referring to Figures 2 and 2A, the Command Center logical data structure is 2o illustrated.
21 The various information associated with demographic and insurance information is again 22 used to manage the care and operations of the command center. Therefore, 23 communications information 9000 is combined with physician and physician extender (i.e.
24 nurse, LPN and the like) information 9002 and physician role 9004 to be associated with the demographic information 9010. The patient visit information 9017 together with this 26 information is associated with the patient's location which has a unique identifier 9030.
27 Each location ID has patient ID information and visit ID information associated with it.
28 Referring now to Figure 2A, the Command Center logical data structure 29 illustration continues. Each ICU bed has an associated location ID which comprises 3o hospital 1CU information, room number, and bed number 9038. In addition, and as 31 described earlier, instrumentation such as cameras are also associated with the particular 32 patient. Therefore the camera setting 9040 will have a location ID relating to the ICU bed 1 as well as have camera value settings and associated camera identifier information.
2 Each ICU bed 9038 is associated with an ICU 9032. Each ICU has information 3 associated with it that uniquely identifies the ICU as being associated with the particular 4 hospital, and having particular phone numbers, fax numbers, work space addresses, and s other information, that help to identify the ICU.
6 As noted above, each ICU is associated with a hospital 9034. Each hospital has a 7 unique identifier, as well as its own name, address, and other identifying information.
s Further, since each hospital ICU is to be coordinated through a remote command center, 9 information on the remote command center 9036 is associated with the hospital 1o information. Each command center has a unique ID and has associated address ~ 1 information stored as well.
12 Thus in the Command Center logical data structure, patient ID information 9010 is 13 linked to a patient location 9030 which in turn is associated with an ICU
bed 9038 each of 14 which beds are uniquely associated an ICU 9032 which is associated with a hospital 9034 15 which in turn has the ICU managed by a command center 9036.
16 An integral part of the system of the present invention is the recording of medical t7 history. Referring to Figure 3, the logical relationship among data elements for medial 1s history is illustrated. Patient visit information 9017 combined with the physician-19 physician extender information 9002 is combined with specific note-taking information 20 9042. The note information comprises the date and time the notes are taken as well as the 21 note type. The note ID is fed information from the medical history item 9044, which has 22 its own unique medical 1D associated with it. This information comprises medical text, 23 category of information, and other information relevant to the medical history. As noted, 24 this information for medical history 9044 is associated with a note ID
9042, which in turn 25 is associated with the patient visit and physician information 9017 and 9002.
26 Referring to Figure 4, 4A, and 4B, the note-keeping logical data structure of the 27 present invention is illustrated. As noted earlier, the note ID 9042 combines information 2g from visit ID, treating physician, and other information relating to the time the note was 29 entered. Other information is associated with the note ID. Referring first to Figure 4, the 30 patient visit information 9017, is associated with the note ID 9042.
Various procedural 3 t information 9046 is kept by the system of the present invention and is associated with the 32 visit ID 9017. Physicians are able to create free text patient illness notations 9048 and 1 associate them with the note 9042. Similarly, free text information regarding functioning 2 of the system 9050 is permitted and also associated with notes regarding the particular 3 patient and procedure 9042.
4 Specific notes regarding, for example, surgical procedures are also kept.
Surgery notes 9054 are associated with a particular note ID and have such information as 6 anesthesia, surgical diagnosis, elective information, and other related surgical information.
Surgical fluids 9052 administered during the course of surgery are associated with the surgery information 9054. Additionally, any surgical complications 9056 are noted and also associated with the surgery which in turn has an associated note ID.
to Referring now to Figure 4A, the logical data structure for notes and its description i i is continued. An assessment plan 9058 is created and associated with the same note ID for 12 the particular patient. The plan has a free text field that allows a physician to create the 13 appropriate assessment plan and associate it with a note ID 9042.
i4 Various daily notes are also kept and associated with the individual note ID 9042.
For example, the daily mental state 9060 is recorded to document the mental state of the 16 patient. The daily treatment 9062 administered to the patient is associated with the unique 17 note ID. The daily diagnosis 9068 is also created and associated with unique note ID
t 8 9042.
19 Any unstable conditions are also noted 9070 and records kept of those conditions.
zo Similarly mortality performance measures (MPM) information 9072 is kept and associated 21 with the unique note ID. To the extent that any physical exam 9074 is administered, that 22 physical exam and any free text created by the physician is associated with the unique ID
23 and records kept. Allergy information 9076 for the particular patient is also created and 24 stored along with the allergy type, and allergy name. This information is uniquely associated with the note ID. Referring now to Figure 4B, the Logical Data Structure for 26 the Notes Creation and Storage description is continued. A specific note item record 9078 27 is also kept and associated with unique note ID. This note item comprises the principal 2s diagnosis, the chief complaint, the past history of the patient, the reason for the note, and 29 various other identifications and flags of information which help in documenting the 3o patient's condition.
3~ Any drugs that are administered to the patient, including dosage, type, and number 32 9086 is kept and associated with the unique note ID 9042.

1 Procedural note items are also documented 9082. Procedural notes involve the 2 procedural type, the principal diagnosis, the procedural location, procedural indications, 3 and other information of a procedural nature. Procedural description information 9088 is 4 kept as input to the procedural note item. This information is also associated with a procedural evaluation 9084 which comprises text describing the procedural evaluation that 6 occurred, These three items, the procedural description 9088, procedural evaluation 9084, 7 and procedural note items 9082, are all uniquely associated with the note ID
9042.
8 Referring now to Figure 5, the Logical Data Structure of the Medical Order 9 Functionality of the Present Invention is illustrated. Each medical order 9092 has a unique order ID associated with it. This information derives its uniqueness from the visit ID, the 11 representative ID, and various information about the date in which the order was created 12 and other such relevant information. Any non-drug orders 9090 are associated with a t3 unique non-drug order ID. The order is classified, identified, and free text can be created 14 by the physician to describe the order. This information in the non-drug order 9090 is associated with the unique medical order for that particular patient 9092.
16 Again physician and physician extender identification information 9002 is also 17 uniquely associated with the medical order to identify the physician involved in creating 1 g the particular order in question.
19 Drug orders 9094 are created each with its own unique drug order ID.
Various 2o information is collected as part of the drug order including the type of drug, the dosage, 21 start date, frequency, stop date, to name but a few elements typical of a drug order. The 22 drug order information 9094 is associated with the unique medical order ID
9092 assigned 23 to that particular patient. All of the medical order information is associated with patient 24 visit information 9017 which allows that information to be uniquely identified with a particular patient for a particular visit.
26 Referring again to Figure 4B, the system is also capable of annotating and storing 27 various log items 9080. For example, an event log item is given a number, a patient 2s profile item has its own number, as do neurological, cardiographic, pulmonary, renal, and 29 other events can have log items associated with them and may be used as input to any of the note taking of the present invention.
31 Referring to Figure 6 and 6A, the logical data structure of the patient care 32 functionality of the present invention is illustrated. Each patient visit with its unique ID

1 9017 has a number of other pieced of information associated with it. For example, 2 physician-patient tasks are tracked 9098 and have a unique task ID
associated with them.
3 The patient code status 9096 is documented and associated with the physician-patient task 4 9098 task ID. This information is uniquely associated with the patient visit via the the patient visit ID 9017.
6 Laboratory information 9100 has a unique lab ID associated with it. That 7 information is keyed to the visit ID and records the specimen taken, the date it was taken, 8 and various other information germaine to the laboratory procedure involved.
Other lab 9 procedures 9102 are also documented with another unique ID. "Other" lab ID
is l0 associated with the laboratory ID 9100 which again is uniquely associated with the 11 particular patient.
t2 Microbiological studies 9104 are documented together with the date and the date 13 taken and the type of study involved. Any study of microorganisms 9106 is documented 14 with a unique microorganism ID. Micro sensitivities 9108 which record the sensitivity to is microorganisms and certain antibiotics is recorded and associated with the microorganism 16 ID 9106. This information in turn is associated with a microbiological study 9104, all of 17 which is associated with the unique patient visit ID 9107.
18 Respiratory studies 9101 are also recorded with unique identification numbers and 19 a description. This information is again associated with the patient visit ID 9017.
2o Referring now to Figure 6A, the logical data structure of the patient care 21 functionality of the Present Invention is further illustrated. Other organism studies 9118 22 are also conducted to determine any other conditions associated with microorganisms that 23 might exist with the particular patient. This other organism information 9118 is associated 24 with the microorganism studies 9106 which in turn is associated with the microbiology 25 category of information of the present invention 9104.
26 Various diagnostic imaging also takes place and is recorded. This image 27 information 9114 has unique image ID associated with each image and comprises 28 associated information such as the image type, the date performed, and other information 29 relevant to the diagnostic imagery. The result of the image taken 9116 is also uniquely 3o identified with the image ID and a unique image result ID. This information is associated 3t with the image information 9114 which again is uniquely associated with the patient visit 32 ID.

1 Various intake and output for the patient's biological functioning is recorded 9110.
2 Intake and output total 9112 is recorded and uniquely associated with the intake/output 3 identification note 9110. Intake/output totals 9112 also comprised the weight the total a taken in, the total out, and five-day cumulative totals for biological functioning of the particular patient.
6 Referring to Figure 7, The Logical Data Structure Concern with Reference 7 Information for the present invention is illustrated. This data structure allows only certain 8 ranges of data to be input by care givers into the system. This is accomplished by having 9 categories of information 9120 each category capable of having only certain values.
to Similarly, each type of data 9126 associated with each category is only permitted to have t t certain values. This combination of Category and Type results in a Combined ID 9122 t2 which can be used in combination with certain values 9128 to create a value and 13 combination 9124 that can be presented to a care giver viewing and entering data. This 14 effectively limits errors in data entry by only allowing certain values to be entered for given types of data. For example, if only milligrams of a medication are supposed to be 16 administered, this data structure prevents a care giver from administering kilograms of 17 material since it is not a permitted range of data entry. The "nextkey"
function 9027 is the 18 function that keeps track of the ID's that are given during the administration of the present 19 invention. This function insures that only unique ID's are given and that no identical ID's 2o are given to two different patient's for example.
21 Referring to Figure 8, the Logical Data Structure of the Vital Signs Functionality 22 ofthe Present Invention is illustrated. Vital sign header information 9120 is created and 23 uniquely associated with the visit ID for the particular patient. This header information 24 comprises a date-time stamp combined with hospital information, medical reference numbers, and identification of the patient. Vital sign details 9122 are also created and 26 uniquely date-time stamped and associated with the particular visit ID for the patient. This 27 information comprises all manner of vital sign information relating to blood pressure, 28 respiration, and other factors. Vital sign information is associated with the patient visit 29 9017 and the demographic information concerning the patient 9016. Such associations of 3o information can be the basis for later studies.
31 Referring to Figure 8A, Additional Vital Sign Logical Data Structures are 32 illustrated. For example, a vital sign log header 9120 is created using the unique hospital 1 ID and medical record numbers. Other information such a patient name, and date-time 2 stamp are also stored. Vital sign log details 9124 are created and associated with the vital 3 sign log header 9120. For example, blood pressure measurements, respiration, and other 4 factors are all detailed for a particular hospital ID. It should be noted that all vital sign data is logged in and kept by the systems of the present invention. Where vital sign 6 information is received but cannot be associated with a particular patient, such 7 communications are noted as errors.
8 Vital sign error details 9126 are also recorded and associated with a particular 9 hospital. Information and the vital sign error detail also comprises heart rate, blood to pressure, and other information. This information is associated with a vital sign error t t header 9130 which is associated with the hospital identifier and the patient first and last t2 name and other information. Various vital sign error codes 9128 exist with the present 13 invention and are used in association with the vital sign error detail 9126. This t4 information however relates to communications of vital sign data that are deemed "errors"
as noted above.
16 Care Net patient location 9132 is recorded and associated with a particular hospital 17 ID and location ID for the particular patient. Carenet is a proprietary product designation 18 of Hewlett-Packard and is kept by the system of the present invention since it identifies the t9 equipment from which measurements come. The ICU bed information 9038 is associated 2o with the Care Net patient location 9132.
21 Referring to Figure 9, the distributed architecture of the present invention 22 is shown. In concept, the distributed architecture comprises a headquarters component 23 200, a command center/remote location 202, and a hospital ICU 204, which, while 24 represented as a single hospital in this illustration, in the preferred embodiment comprises several hospital ICUs at different locations. The headquarters unit 200 comprises a 26 database server and data warehouse functionality, together with a patient information front 27 end. The patient information front end 206 provides patient specific information to the 2s command center/remote location. The database server/warehouse function 208 comprises 29 the amassed information of a wide variety of patients, in their various conditions, 3o treatments, outcomes, and other information of a statistical nature that will assist clinicians 31 and intensivists in treating patients in the ICU. The headquarters' function also serves to 32 allow centralized creation of decision support algorithms and a wide variety of other i treatment information that can be centrally managed and thereby standardized across a 2 variety of command center/remote locations. Further, the database server/data 3 warehousing functionality 208 serves to store information coming from command 4 center/remote locations replicating that data so that, in the event of a catastrophic loss of information at the command center/remote location, the information can be duplicated at 6 the command center/remote location once all systems are up and running.
7 At the hospital ICU 204, each patient room 232, 234 has a series of bedside 8 monitors and both video and audio monitoring of each patient in the patient room. Each 9 ICU further has a nurse's station with a video camera and monitor 230 so that to videoconferencing can go on between the nurses and doctors at the nursing station and i i those intensivists at the command center/remote location. The monitoring equipment at 12 the ICU is served by a monitor server 236, which receives and coordinates the 13 transmission of all bedside monitoring and nurses station communication with the 14 command center/remote location. Finally, each ICU has a patient information front end 228, which receives and transmits to the command center/remote location information 16 concerning the identity and other characteristics of the patient.
17 Command center/remote location 202 comprises its own video capture and is monitoring capability 212 in order to allow the intensivists to view the patients and 19 information from the bedside monitoring as well as to have videoconferencing with the 2o nursing station and with patients as the need arises. Information from the monitor server 21 236 at the hospital ICU is served to an HL7 (the language for transmitting 22 hospital/patient/diagnostic data) gateway 214 to a database server 222. In this fashion, 23 information from the bedside monitors can be stored for current and historical analysis.
24 Monitor front ends 216 and 218 allow technicians and command center/remote location personnel to monitor the incoming data from the patient rooms in the ICU.
Information 26 from the patient information front end 228 is provided to an application server 224, having 27 its own patient information front end 226 for aggregating and assembling information in 2s the database 222 that is associated with individual patients in the ICU.
29 It is expected that there will be a great deal of concurrent hospital data that is 3o necessary to the implementation of the present invention. It is therefore expected that 31 there will be a legacy database system 210 having a front end 220 from which intensivists 32 and command center/remote location personnel can retrieve legacy database information.

t Referring to Figure 10, a system architecture of one embodiment of the present 2 invention is illustrated. Headquarters 200 comprises an application server 238, an NT file 3 server 240, and Sun SPARC Enterprise 250 242 and Enterprise network management 4 system 244, a Cisco 3600 router 246, a Cisco 2924 switch 248, and a hot phone 250. The application server 238 is designed to monitor and update those applications used at the 6 command center/remote location. The NT file server serves to monitor, store, and 7 replicate information coming from the command center/remote locations. The SPARC
8 Enterprise 250 server 242 is a disc storage server, for storing and serving information, 9 such as practice guidelines, algorithms, patient information, and all matter of other to information records that must be stored in order to support the present invention. As 11 explained below, the SPARC Enterprise 250 server and other components are such as t2 routers and switches are commonly used in the ICU, the command center/remote location, t3 and the headquarters. For example:
t4 The Cisco 3600 router is a multi-function device that combines dial access, routing, and local area network (LAN) to LAN services, as well as the multi-service t6 integration of voice, video, and data in the same device. This is necessary, since the 17 various command center/remote locations, headquarters, and intensive care units all must 18 integrate and transmit video, audio, and data among the various entities.
19 The Cisco 7204 is a router which provides high speed LAN interconnect, virtual 2o private networks, and Internet access, all of which is required for providing the 21 communication in the network of the present invention; and 22 The Cisco 2924 switch is an autosensing fast ethernet switch, allowing networked 23 multimedia and virtual LAN support. Multi-level security is also offered in the switch to 24 prevent unauthorized users from gaining access and altering switch configuration. These 2s components are also identified in the figures (below).
26 The particular commercial systems named here are given as but some examples of 27 equipment available today. The function of these equipment is the important factor.
2s Other similar or improved equipment can also be utilized.
29 The network management system 244 allows the entire traffic and condition of the 3o network to be monitored and to allow maintenance to take place. The router 246 and 3 t switch 248 is used for communication with the various command center/remote locations 1 that are served by the Headquarters component. The Headquarters component interacts 2 via frame relay with the command center/remote location 202.
3 Command center/remote location 202 comprises an applications server 262 for the 4 purpose of running various applications for the intensivists and command center/remote location staff. The NT file server 264 at the command center/remote location allows 6 patient files, historical files, algorithms, practice standards, and guidelines, to be served to 7 the clinicians and intensivists to assist in monitoring the patients. The Sun SPARC
8 Enterprise 250 266 is used to for storage purposes as noted above. The Enterprise network 9 management system 268 monitors the overall health of the network of command Io center/remote locations and intensive care units as well as the functionality of the I 1 individual pieces of equipment within the command center/remote location.
A Cisco 2924 12 switch 256 and Cisco 7204 router 258, combined with the Cisco 3600 router 260 allows 13 for point to point communication over a T1 line, with a plurality of intensive care units 14 located remotely from the command center/remote location. Hot phones 252 and 254 allow communication with the headquarters and the intensive care unit.
16 Intensive care unit 204 comprises a Cisco 2924 switch 272 for the purpose of 17 interfacing with the various audio-video feeds 274, 276 from the various patient rooms t8 and the nursing station. A local work station 280 is connected to a scanner 282 which 19 allows data to be input, scanned, and communicated via the point to point 2o communications to the command center/remote location. Further, the workstation 280 21 provides for textual advice and patient orders to be delivered to the intensive care unit for 22 execution. The intensive care unit also comprises a laser printer 284 for the printing of 23 patient orders and other information relevant to the care of intensive care patients.
24 Referring to Figure 11, the videoconferencing/surveillance/imaging components of the present invention are illustrated. The hospital ICU 204 comprises a series of video 26 cameras 290, which are located in patient rooms and at the nurse's station.
Control for the 27 cameras is provided through an RS424 to RS232 converter 288, with instructions for 28 imaging emanating from the workstation at the command center/remote location 252 29 through the ICU workstation 280 through a multi-port serial controller 286.
Video feed 3o from the video cameras 290 is provided to an audio-video switcher 292, which in turn 31 provides its output to the multi-port serial controller 286 for subsequent viewing at the 32 nurse's station and at the command center/remote location. Of equal importance is a microphone feed from the patient and from the nurses. That microphone 296 provides its 2 signal to an audio line amplifier 294, which in turn provides an audio feed to the audio-3 video switcher 292. In this way, a patient can provide information, as can nurses who are 4 visiting the patient during the course of patient care. It is also important that information of an audio nature be fed to the intensive care unit, both to the patient rooms and to the 6 nurse's station. To do this, the multi-port serial controller 286 provides an audio signal to 7 a reverse audio switcher 298, which in turn provides information to speakers 300 that are 8 located at the nurse's station as well as at the bedside of the patients.
Information to the 9 reverse audio switcher is provided an audio amplifier 302 from information from a video to codec 304, which in turn is connected to the workstation at the ICU. As noted earlier, a 11 scanner 282 is provided, so that information can be scanned and provided to the command 12 center/remote location 202 and a hot telephone 278 communicates with a telephone 252 at 13 the command center/remote location.
14 Referring to Figure 12 the vital signs data flow is illustrated. The monitoring system at each ICU bedside comprises a monitoring system for monitoring the vital signs 16 for the patient. The vital sign monitoring system 450 captures vital sign data 452 and 17 transmits that vital sign data 454 using the HL7 language (the standard processing is language for hospital data and information). The processor at the ICU
processes the vital 19 sign data for transmission and storage purposes and transmits that information to the 2o remote location. Vital sign data is then loaded into the data base 458. The data base for 2t each individual patient is then reviewed and process rules are applied 460 to the vital sign 22 data. These process rules relate to certain alarming conditions which,, if a certain threshold 23 is reached, provides an alarm to the intensivist on duty. The vital sign alarm 462 is then 24 displaced to the intensivist who can then take appropriate action. A
typical type of rule processing of the vital sign data might be if blood pressure remains at a certain low level z6 for an extended period of time, or if heart rate remains high for an extended period of time.
27 In addition a wide range of other rules are provided which will provide an audible alarm 2s to the intensivist before a critical situation is reached.
29 In addition to the information being provided to the alarming system for the 3o intensivist, the vital sign data 464 is also transmitted 466 into a database warehouse 468 3 ~ comprising vital sign data 470 from not only the individual patient but from all of the 32 patients being cared for in the ICU. This database warehouse provides the ability to do 1 data mining for trends that can give rise to additional process rules and vital sign 2 thresholding. In addition to the transmission of vital sign data 454 to the remote site, the 3 vital sign data is displayed in real time at the ICU 472.
4 Referring to Figure 13(a) the diagnostic imaging interaction is illustrated.
X-rays for example, are created and transmitted to the command center 472.
Additionally, the 6 information could be ACT scan, MRI, or any other method of medical diagnostic imaging.
The x-ray image is captured at the command center 474 where it is stored and in addition 8 displayed on the image monitor 476 for the intensivist to review.
9 Referring to Figure 13(b) the interactive video session is illustrated. A
video 1o conferencing session is established 478 regarding a particular patient in an ICU bed.
11 Using the video cameras in each room and/or at the nurses station at the ICU, the patient 12 and/or the nurse can be viewed 480. On the other end of the video conferencing session is 13 the intensivist who can then both visually and orally communicate with the patient and/or 14 nurse 482.
Referring to Figure 14 the physician resources and order writing data interface is 6 illustrated. The user interface 484 allows the physicians to access physician resources t7 486. These resources provide guideline for the treatment of the critically ill. In this 1s example the intensivist is requested to enter the antibiotic associated with colitis 488. The 19 system then generates a request for a fecal leukocyte test 490. This request is translated into an order writing module 496 which results in the actual order for the test 502. Since 21 the order needs to be transmitted to the appropriate organization for execution, an 22 appropriate order is generated to the microbiology laboratory 500 in this instance. The 23 order results are then achieved 506 and the completion of the order is reported to the order 24 writing assignment manager 496. In addition, the order writing module 502 also results in a task list 504 of orders for various other individuals in laboratories. In addition, user 26 interface 484 allows the physician to re-enter the physician resources module at any 27 particular location with results of the tests. These tests are then fed into the system to 2s continue with the diagnostic algorithm processing of the patient test results 494. The user 29 interface also allows interaction with the resident data base 498 Referring to Figure 15 3o the physician resources database data interface is illustrated. User interface 508 allows the 31 intensivist to interact with the physician resources data base 510. In this example, resident 32 data base 524 which comprises the identification and background of the resident admitting t the patient causes an admission diagnosis 526 to be created. In this example a diagnosis of 2 pancreatitis is illustrated. This diagnosis of pancreatitis 522 alerts the physician resources 3 module 510 which causes an entry for the topic pancreatitis 512. The diagnosis algorithm 4 for pancreatitis 514 is then retrieved and a request for an Apache II score 516 is requested.
The system also requests information for operative data 528 describing what if any 6 operations have taken place with respect to this patient, vital sign data 530, request for laboratory information 532, past medical history for the patient 534 and patient 8 demographics 536. All this information is provided to the Apache II score assignment 9 manager 538 which assigns an Apache II score based upon weighted composite up to t o twenty five different variables. This Apache II score is provided to the Apache II score t t request module 516. If the severity based Apache II score is greater than or equal to eight 12 the diagnostic of the system continue 520. If the Apache II score is less than eight, the t3 patient is triaged to a none ICU bed 518 since the patient will not necessarily require 14 intensive care thereby saving relatively scarce resources of the ICU for those who are truly t5 critically ill.
16 Referring to Figure 16 the automated coding/billing work flow and data flow is t 7 illustrated. Clearly ICUs must be paid for the care that they give. At the outset of the visit 18 540 the user interface 542 allows for the input of ICD 9 diagnosis code information t9 concerning complexity of the case, whether the patient is stable, whether the physician 20 involved is the attending physician or consulting physician and all other manner of 21 information required for billing purposes. In addition, resident data 544 is input such as 22 patient demographics, insurance information, physician, guarantor, the date that the 23 service is provided. All this information is provided to the data manager 546 which 24 assembles the required data element for subsequent processing. The data manager sends 25 the demographic, physician, guarantor, insurance and related information to a bill 26 generator 548 which begins to assemble of the information to subsequently generate a bill.
27 Clinical information is provided to the CPT code assignment manager which assigns 28 codes based upon the scores and user input for bill generation purposes. A
history of 29 present illness (HPI) score 560 is generated along with a review of systems (ROS) score 30 562. A PFSH score 564 is generated along with a score relating to the physical exam 566.
3 t An MPM score 568 which is a score relating to the severity of the illness is also 32 generated. All of these various scores are provided to the CPT assignment manager 558.

t Periodically information is downloaded for management reports 556. Once all of the 2 information for the CPT code assignment is generated that information is provided to the 3 bill generator 548 which assembles all the data elements needed to generate an HCFA1500 4 claim form. The input for the bill generator is then verified 550 where the physician can disagree with code assignments return progress notes and generally review the bill. This 6 smart processing of the HCFA1500 claim form allows for fewer mistakes to be made. If 7 there is any error or additional information that is required, the verification process fails s the proposed claim form and information regarding that failure is provided back to the 9 resident data for completion of any missing items. Once an invoice has been verified as having the appropriate information to be submitted the HCFA1500 claim form is 11 generated 554. Additional information is written to a billing data file 552 for importation 12 to the patient accounting system of the present invention.
13 Referring to Figure 17 the order writing data flow is illustrated. Order entry user 14 interface 600 allows the intensivist to order procedures and medication to assist the patients in the ICU. For example, the intensivist can order an ECG 604.
Thereafter the 16 order is reviewed and a digital signature relating to the intensivist is supplied 606. Once t7 reviewed and signed off, the order is approved 607 and sent to the data output system 610.
18 Thereafter the data output system prints the order to the printer in the ICU 616. For 19 record keeping purposes the order is exported in the HL7 language to the hospital data 2o system 618. In addition the data output system adds an item to the data base that will 21 subsequently cause an intensivist to check the ECG results. This notification to the task 22 list is provided to the database 614. In addition, as part of the database an orders file 23 relating to the specific patient is also kept. The fact that and ECG has been ordered is 24 entered in the orders file for that patient.
In a similar fashion using the order entry user interface 600 the intensivist can 26 order medications 602 for a patient. The medication order then is provided to an order 27 checking system 608. The order checking system retrieves information from the database 28 614 relating to allergies of the patient and medication list which includes medications 29 which are already being administered to the patient. This allows for the order checking 3o system to check for drug interactions. Further laboratory data is extracted from the 31 database 614 and the order checking system checks to insure that there will be no adverse 32 impact of the recommended dosage upon the renal function of the patient.
Once the order checking system 608 is completed, the order is okayed and provided to the order review 2 and signature module 606. In this module the digital signature of the intensivist is affixed 3 to the order electronically and the order is approved 607. Thereafter it is provided to the 4 data output system 610 where again the orders are printed for ICU and 616 and for the hospital data system. In this case, any medications that are ordered are then provided to 6 the medications list file in the database 614 so that the complete list of all medications that are being administered to the ICU patient is current.
8 Referring to Figure 18 the event log is illustrated. The database 620 contains all manner of notes and data relating to the particular patient that is admitted to the ICU. For l0 example, admission notes 622 are taken upon admission of the patient and stored in the 1 ~ file that is specific to that patient. Progress notes 624 are created during the patients stay 12 within the ICU to note the progress the patient is making giving the various treatments.
13 Procedural notes 626 are also created by the intensivist to note what procedures have taken t4 place and what if any events have occurred associated with those procedures. Laboratory data such as positive blood cultures are also stored in the file 628 in the database 620.
t6 Further x-ray data 630 and abnormal CT Scan results are stored in the database.
t7 The result of these individual files are then provided to an event log manager 632.
18 For example, admission notes might contain operations performed. Progress notes 624 t9 might relate to the operations preformed. This information is provided to the event log manager 632. Admission information is also input to the event log manager as are a 2~ listing of the procedures administered to the patient. To the extent there are positive blood 22 cultures in the laboratory data 628 those are provided to the event log manager 632 as are 23 abnormal CT scan results. All of this information is made available through the user 24 interface 634. Thus the event log presents in a single location key clinical information from throughout a patients stay in the ICU. The event log user interface provides 26 caregivers with a snapshot view of all salient events since admission. All relevant data on 27 procedures and laboratory tests, etc. are presented chronologically.
28 Referring to Figure 19 the smart alarms of the present invention are illustrated.
29 The smart alarm system constantly monitors physiologic data (collected once per minute 3o from the bedside monitors) and all other clinical information stored in the database (labs, 3t medications, etc). The periodicity of the collection of data is stated for illustrative 32 purposes only. It is well within the scope of the present invention to collect physiological 1 data at more frequent time intervals. Thus, monitor 636 provides information in HL7 form 2 to the interface engine 638. The physiological data is then formatted by the interface 3 engine for storage in the database 640 where all patient information is maintained. The 4 rules engine 642 searches for patterns of data indicative of clinical deterioration.
s One family of alarms looks for changes in vital signs over time, using pre-6 configured thresholds. These thresholds are patient-specific and setting/disease-specific.
For example, patients with coronary artery disease can develop myocardial ischemia with 8 relatively minor increases in heart rate. Heart rate thresholds for patients with active 9 ischemia (e.g. those with unstable angina in a coronary care unit) are set to detect an to absolute heart rate of 75 beats per minute. In contrast, patients with known coronary 11 artery disease in a surgical ICU have alarms set to detect either an absolute heart rate of 95 t2 beats per minute or a 20% increase in heart rate over the baseline. For this alarm, current 13 heart rate, calculated each minute based on the median value over the preceding 5 14 minutes, is compared each minute to the baseline value (the median value over the 15 preceding 4 hours). Physiologic alarms can be based on multiple variables.
For example, 16 one alarm looks for a simultaneous increase in heart rate of 25% and a decrease in blood 17 pressure of 20%, occurring over a time interval of 2 hours. For this alarm, thresholds were is initially selected based on the known association between changes in these two variables 19 and adverse clinical events. Actual patient data were then evaluated to determine the 2o magnitude of change in each variable that yielded the best balance between sensitivity and 21 specificity. This process was used to set the final thresholds for the rules engine.
22 Alarms also track additional clinical data in the patient database. One alarm tracks 23 central venous pressure and urine output, because simultaneous decreases in these two 24 variables can indicate that a patient is developing hypovolemia. Other rules follow 25 laboratory data (e.g. looking for need to exclude active bleeding and possibly to administer 26 blood).
27 The purpose ofthe rules engine is to facilitate detection of impending problems 2s and to automate problem detection thereby allowing for intervention before a condition 29 reaches a crisis state.
3o Referring to Figure 20 the procedural note-line log is illustrated. This log allows 31 clinicians to evaluate the likelihood that a given procedure might result in further 32 complications. In this example presented in this Figure 20 a catheter removal is illustrated.

1 When a new catheter is inserted in a patient 648 a procedural note is created on the 2 procedure note creation user interface 646. The note is reviewed and a digital signature is 3 attached to the note to associate the note with a particular intensivist 654. The procedure 4 is then approved and is provided to the data output system 656. The procedural note is then printed on the printer in the ICU 658 and is exported in HL7 language to the hospital 6 data system 660. In addition, this also triggers a billing event and the data output system 7 provides appropriate output to the billing module 662 to generate an invoice line item. In s addition, the note is stored in the emergency medical record associated with the patient in 9 the database 664. In addition, the line log is updated in the database 664 to show what 1o procedure was administrated to a patient at what time. If there is an existing catheter, that 11 is displayed to the intensivist at the procedure note creation user interface 646. This 12 would show an existing catheter changed over a wire 650. That information is provided to t3 the line id module 652 which extracts information from the line log in the database 664.
t4 This information results in a note being created and provided to the note review and 1s signature module 664. Thus the line log contains, for each patient, relevant information 6 about all in-dwelling catheters, including type and location of the catheter, insertion date, t7 the most recent date that the catheter was changed over a wire, and the date the catheter 1s was removed. This information helps clinicians evaluate the likelihood that a given t9 catheter is infected and guides its subsequent management of that procedure.
2o Evidence-based Guidelines. Algorithms, and Practice Standards z1 Decision Support Algorithms 2z In order to standardize treatment across ICUs at the highest possible level, decision 23 support algorithms are used in the present invention. These include textural material 24 describing the topic, scientific treatments and possible complications.
This information is 25 available in real time to assist in all types of clinical decisions from diagnosis to treatment 26 to triage.
27 All connections among components of the present invention are presently with a 28 high bandwidth T-1 line although this is not meant as a limitation. It is anticipated that 29 other existing and future high bandwidth communication capabilities, both wired and 3o wireless, as well as satellite communications will be suitable for the communications 3t anticipated for the present invention.

1 As noted earlier, a key objective of the present invention is to standardize care and 2 treatment across ICUs. This is effective in the present invention by providing decision 3 support to intensivists as well as information concerning the latest care and practice 4 standards for any given condition. As noted in EVIDENCE-BASED GUIDELINES
ALGORITHMS & PRACTICE STANDARDS below, a wide variety of conditions is 6 noted. Each of the conditions has an associated guideline of practice standard that can be 7 presented to the intensivist who might be faced with that particular condition in a patient.
These guidelines of practice standards can be accessed at the command center/remote 9 location or at the ICU to assist in the treatment of the patient. Thus, the general categories of cardiovascular, endocrinology, general, gastrointestinal, hematology, infectious 11 diseases, neurology, pharmacology, pulmonary, renal, surgery, toxicology, trauma all have 12 guidelines and practice standards associated with them.

ALGORITHMS & PRACTICE STANDARDS

t7 DECISION SUPPORT
CARDIOVASCULAR
BRADYARRHYTHMIAS
CARDIOGENIC SHOCK
CARDIO-PULMONARY RESUSCITATION GUIDELINES
CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
EMERGENCY CARDIAC PACING
FLUID RESUSCITATION
HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS
IMPLANTABLE CARDIO-DEFIBRILLATORS
INTRA-AORTIC BALLOON DEVICES
MAGNESIUM ADMINISTRATION IN PATIENTS
MANAGEMENT OF HYPOTENSION, INOTROPES
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION
MI WITH LEFT BUNDLE BRANCH BLOCK
PA CATHETER GUIDELINES & TROUBLE-SHOOTING
PERMANENT PACEMAKERS & INDICATIONS
PULMONARY EMBOLISM DIAGNOSIS
PULMONARY EMBOLISM TREATMENT
SUPRA-VENTRICULAR TACHYARRHYTHMIAS

UNSTABLE ANGINA
VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM PROPHYLAXIS
VENOUS THROMBOSIS: DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT
VENTRICULAR ARRHYTHMIAS
ENDOCRINOLOGY
ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY
DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS
HYPERCALCEMIA: DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT
HYPERGLYCEMIA: INSULIN TREATMENT
STEROID REPLACEMENT STRATEGIES
THYROID DISEASE
GENERAL
DEALING WITH DIFFICULT PATIENTS AND FAMILIES
END OF LIFE DECISIONS
ETHICAL GUIDELINES
PRESSURE ULCERS
ORGAN PROCUREMENT GUIDELINES
GASTROINTESTINAL
ANTIBIOTIC ASSOCIATED COLITIS
HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY
HEPATIC FAILURE
MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH ASCITES
NUTRITIONAL MANAGEMENT
ACUTE PANCREATITIS
UPPER GI BLEEDING: STRESS PROPHYLAXIS
UPPER GI BLEEDING: NON-VARICEAL
UPPER GI BLEEDING:VARICEAL
HEMATOLOGY
HEPARIN
HEPARIN-INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIA
THE BLEEDING PATIENT
THROMBOCYTOPENIA
THROMBOLYTIC THERAPY
TRANSFUSION GUIDELINES
USE OF HEMATOPOETIC GROWTH FACTORS

WARFARI N
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
ACALCULUS CHOLECYSTITIS
ANTI BI OG RAMS
BLOODSTREAM INFECTIONS
CANDIDURIA
CATHETER RELATED SEPTICEMIA
CATHETER REPLACEMENT STRATEGIES
ENDOCARDITIS PROPHYLAXIS
ENDOCARDITIS DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
FEBRILE NEUTROPENIA
FUO
HIV+ PATIENT INFECTIONS
MENINGITIS
NECROTIZING SOFT TISSUE INFECTIONS
NON-INFECTIOUS CAUSES OF FEVER
OPHTHALMIC INFECTIONS
PNEUMONIA, COMMUNITY ACQUIRED
PNEUMONIA, HOSPITAL ACQUIRED
SEPTIC SHOCK
SINUSITIS
SIRS
TRANSPLANT INFECTION PROPHYLAXIS
TRANSPLANT-RELATED INFECTIONS
NEUROLOGY
AGITATION, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION & WITHDRAWAL
BRAIN DEATH
GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME
INTRACEREBRALHEMORRHAGE
MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
NEUROMUSCULAR COMPLICATIONS OF CRITICAL ILLNESS
NON-TRAUMATIC COMA
SEDATION
STATUS EPILEPTICUS
STROKE
SUB-ARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE
PHARMACOLOGY

AMINOGLYCOSIDE DOSING AND THERAPEUTIC MONITORING
AMPHOTERICIN-B TREATMENT GUIDELINES
ANALGESIA
ANTIBIOTIC CLASSIFICATION & COSTS
DRUG CHANGES WITH RENAL DYSFUNCTION
PENICILLIN ALLERGY
NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKERS
VANCOMYCI N
THERAPEUTIC DRUG MONITORING
PULMONARY
ARDS: HEMODYNAMIC MANAGEMENT
ARDS: STEROID USE
ARDS: VENTILATOR STRATEGIES
ASTHMA
BRONCHODILATOR USE IN VENTILATOR PATIENTS
BRONCHOSCOPY & THORACENTESIS GUIDELINES
COPD EXACERBATION & TREATMENT
CXR (INDICATIONS) NONINVASIVE MODES OF VENTILATION
ENDOTRACHEAL TUBES & TRACHEOTOMY
TREATMENT OF AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION
VENTILATOR WEANING PROTOCOL
RENAL
ACUTE RENAL FAILURE :DIAGNOSIS
ACUTE RENAL FAILURE :MANAGEMENT & TREATMENT
DIALYSIS
DIURETIC USE
HYPERKALEMIA: ETIOLOGY & TREATMENT
HYPERNATREMIA: ETIOLOGY & TREATMENT _ HYPOKALEMIA: ETIOLOGY & TREATMENT
HYPONATREMIA: ETIOLOGY & TREATMENT
OLIGURIA
SURGERY
OBSTETRICAL COMPLICATIONS
DISSECTING AORTIC ANEURYSM
POST-OPERATIVE HYPERTENSION
POST-OPERATIVE MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA (NON-CARDIAC
ARRHYTHMIAS AFTER CARDIAC SURGERY

POST-OPERATIVE BLEEDING
POST-OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF ABDOMINAL
POST-OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN HEART
POST-OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF THORACOTOMY
POST-OPERATIVE POWER WEANING
POST-OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF CAROTID
WOUND HEALING STRATEGIES
TOXICOLOGY
ACETAMINOPHEN OVERDOSE
ANAPHYLAXIS
COCAINE TOXICITY
ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL
HYPERTHERMIA
LATEX ALLERGY
UNKNOWN POISONING
TRAUMA
ABDOMINAL COMPARTMENT SYNDROME
BLUNT ABDOMINAL INJURY
BLUNT AORTIC INJURY
BLUNT CARDIAC INJURY
DVT PROPHYLAXIS
EXTREMITY COMPARTMENT SYNDROME
HEAD INJURY
HYPOTHERMIA
IDENTIFICATION OF CERVICAL CORD INJURY
SPINAL CORD INJURY
OPEN FRACTURES
PENETRATING ABDOMINAL INJURY
PENETRATING CHEST INJURY
2 Referring to Figure 21, the acalculous cholecystitis decision support algorithm of 3 the present invention is illustrated. If an intensivist suspects that acalculous cholecystitis 4 may be present, the intensivist may not be certain of all of the aspects that would be indicative of this particular condition. Therefore, the intensivist is lead through a decision 6 support algorithm, which first causes the intensivist to determine if the patient is clinically 7 infected, either febrile or leukocystosis 800. If this criteria is not met, the iritensivist is t prompted that it is unlikely that the patient has acalculous cho(ecystitis 802.
2 If the patient is clinically infected 800, the intensivist is prompted to determine 3 whether the patient has had a previous cholesystectomy 804. If patient has had a previous 4 cholesystectomy, the intensivist is prompted that it is very unlikely that the patient has s acalculous cholecystitis 806. Alternatively, if a patient has not had a previous 6 cholesystectomy, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient has any of 7 seven (7) risk factors, specifically: 1) Prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay (defined as 8 greater than six (6) days); 2) recent surgery (particularly aortic cross clamp procedures); 3).
9 hypotension; 4) positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) greater than ten (10) centimeters to (cm); 5) transfusion greater than six (6) units of blood; 6) inability to use the 11 gastrointestinal (GI) tract for nutrition; or 7) immunosuppresssion (AIDS, transplantation, t2 or leukemia) 808. If the patient has none of these seven risk factors, the intensivist is 13 prompted that the patient probably does not have acalculous cholecystitis 810.
t4 If the patient has any of the seven risk factors 808, the intensivist is prompted to 15 determine whether the patient has any of the following symptoms: right upper quadrant t6 (RUQ) tenderness; elevated alkalinephosphatase; elevated bilirubin; or elevated livert 17 transaminases 812. If the patient has none of these four (4) symptoms 812, the intensivist is is prompted to consider other more likely sources of infection (see fever of unknown 19 origin or FUO) 814. If the infection remains undiagnosed following an alternative work-2o up, the intensivist is prompted to re-enter the algorithm 814.
21 if the patient has any of these four (4) symptoms 812, the intensivist is prompted to 22 determine whether alternative intra-abdominal infectious sources are more likely 816. If 23 alternative intra-abdominal infectious sources are not more likely, the intensivist is 24 prompted to determine whether the patient is sufficiently stable to go for a test 826. If the 25 patient is sufficiently stable to go for a test, the intensivist is prompted to perform an mso4 26 Cholescintigraphy 836. The normal AC is excluded 838. If the test indicates an 27 abnormality, the intensivist is prompted to consider a cholecystectomy or precutaneous 2s drainage 840. If the patient is not sufficiently stable to go for a test, the intensivist is 29 prompted to perform a bedside ultrasound 828. If no other infectious etiologies are 3o identified and no abnormalities of the gall-bladder are noted but: a) the patient remains ill 3 t 830, the intensivist is prompted to consider empiric cholecystostomy 832.
If no other 32 infectious etiologies are identified and no abnormalities of the gall bladder are noted but:

t b) the patient is improving 830, the intensivist is prompted to continue to observe the 2 patient 834.
3 If alternative intra-abdominal infectious sources are more likely 816, the intensivist 4 is prompted to determine whether the patient is sufficiently stable to go for a test 818. If the patient is sufficiently stable to go for a test 818, the intensivist is prompted to perform 6 an abdominal CT scan 820. If no other infectious etiologies are apparent and the test: a) 7 demonstrates abnormalities of the gall-bladder but not diagnostic; or b) no gall-bladder 8 abnormalities are noted 822, the intensivist is prompted to maintain continued observation 9 of the patient 824. Alternatively, if this criteria not met 822, the intensivist is prompted to t0 perform an mso4 cholescintigraphy 836. Normal AC is excluded 838. If the test is t t abnormal, the intensivist is prompted to consider cholecystectomy or precutaneous 12 drainage 840. If the patient is not sufficiently stable to go for a test, the intensivist is 13 prompted to perform a bedside ultrasound 828. If no other infectious etiologies are 14 identified and no abnormalities of the gall-bladder are noted but: a) the patient remains ill 830, the intensivist is prompted to consider empiric cholecystostomy 832. 1f no other 16 infectious etiologies are identified and no abnormalities of the gall bladder are noted but:
t7 b) the patient is improving 830, the intensivist is prompted to continue to observe the 18 patient 834.
t9 Referring to Figure 22, the adrenal insufficiency decision support algorithm of the present invention is illustrated. When an intensivist suspects an adrenal problem may be 2t presented in a patient, the intensivist may initiate the adrenal insufficiency decision 22 support algorithm which prompts questions concerning all aspects of the condition. First 23 the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient is either hypotensive and/or 24 has been administered pressors for forty-eight hours or longer 900. If neither condition is met, the system advises the intensivist that it is unlikely that an adrenal problem is present 26 902.
27 If one or both conditions are met, the intensivist is asked whether an obvious cause 28 for hypotensive blood pressure or treatment with pressors are manifested, such as 29 hypovolemia or low blood volume, myocardial dysfunction, or spinal injury 904. If at 3o least one of these obvious causes is present, the intensivist is alerted by the system that the 3 t underlying cause must first be treated 906. If treatment of a suspected underlying cause is 32 reversed, yet the hypotension or pressor need persists, the intensivist is further directed to 1 determine whether other adrenal problems have occurred in the patient's history 908, 910, 3 In order to examine prior treatment issues, the intensivist is first prompted by the 4 system to determine if the patient has been treated with steroids in the previous six months for at least a two week period 908. Next, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether 6 the patient has hyponatremia or hyperkalemia 910. The intensivist is also prompted to 7 determine whether the patient has experienced anticoagulation or become coagulopathic 8 prior to the hypotension or pressor treatment 912. According to the responses provided by 9 the intensivist to the system queries or blocks 908, 910, and 912, the system calculates a to treatment action 914 as follows: The array of possible responses to diagnosis questions 11 908, 910, and 912 are given a Decision Code as shown in Table 1: Adrenal Insufficiency 12 Considerations, below.
13 Table 1: Adrenal Insufficiency Considerations Question Question QuestionDecision 1 2 3 Code N N N A

N N Y A

N Y N B

N Y Y C

Y Y Y C

Y N N D

Y Y N B

Y N Y D

Y Y Y C

The possible decision codes of Table 1 are as follows:

DecisionTreatment Action Code A Do cosyntropin stim test B Consider possible Adrenal Insufficiency. Give decadron 5 mg IV, so cosyntropin stim test and empirically treat with hydrocortione 50 mg IV every 8 hours until stim test results return.

C Consider possible Adrenal Insufficiency, secondary to adrenal hemorrhage. Give decadron 5 mg IV, so cosyntropin stim test and empirically treat with hydrocortione 50 mg IV every 8 hours until stim test results return.

D Do cosyntropin stim test, may empirically treat with hydrocortisone 25-50 mg IV

every 8 hours until stim test results return t 2 Besides specialized treatment actions listed in the decision codes above, the intensivist is 3 directed to administer a cosyntropin stimulation test 914 in order to see how much cortisone the adrenal gland is producing.
After performing the cosyntropin stimulation test, the intensivist is prompted to 6 enter the patient's level of cortisol before administering cosyntropin and thirty minutes 7 afterwards 916. The software analyzes the test results as follows:

8 The results in Table 2, shown below, are shown as having certain decision codes A

9 through F.
t0 Table 2: Cosyntropin Stimulation Test Results basal A basal basal (B) (C) 1 S-20 > 25 <15 stim (D) stim stim (E) (F) < 5 5-10 > 10 it 12 Depending upon the outcome of the analysis of Table 2, one of the treatment actions, t3 shown below in Table 3, will be displayed 918.
t4 Table 3: Cosyntropin Test Result Treatment Actions DecisionTreatment Action Code A + D Adrenal insufficiency diagnosed - treat with hydrocortisone 50 mg IV

every 8 hours and consider endocrine consult A + E Probable Adrenal insufficienc - treat with hydrocortisone 25-50 mg IV every 8 4 I' B + hours and to er as intercurrent illness im roves D

A + Possible Adrenal insufficiency- consider treatment F with hydrocortisone 25 mg IV

B + every 8 hours and to er as intercurrent illness improves E

A + Adrenal insufficiency unlikely- would not treat F

B+F

C+E

C+F

t 2 Referring to Figure 23, the blunt cardiac injury decision support algorithm of the 3 present invention is illustrated. If an intensivist suspects that blunt cardiac injury may be 4 present, the intensivist may not be certain of all aspects that would be critical to or indicative of this particular condition. Therefore, the intensivist is lead through a decision 6 support algorithm, which first causes the intensivist to determine whether any of seven (7) 7 risk factors are present: 1) was thoracic impact greater than fifteen (15) mph; 2) was the 8 steering wheel deformed; 3) was there precordial ecchymosis, contusions, or abrasions; 4) 9 was marked precordial tenderness present; 5) was there a fractured sternum;
6) were to bilateral rib/costal cartilage fractures present; 7) were thoracic spine fractures present 1 t 1000. If none of the 7 risk factors are present, the intensivist is prompted that no further 12 evaluation is necessary 1002. If any of the 7 risk factors are present, the intensivist is 13 prompted to obtain an electrocardiogram (ECG) and chest X-ray (CXR) 1004.
t4 Once the results of the ECG and CXR are obtained, the intensivist is prompted to determine: whether the ECG results are abnormal, with abnormal being defined as 16 anything other than sinus rhythm, including ectopy and unexplained sinus tachycardia 17 (greater than 100 beats/minute); and whether the CXR results are abnormal, with abnormal 18 being defined as any skeletal or pulmonary injury, especially cardiac enlargement 1006. If 19 either the ECG or CXR are not abnormal, the intensivist is prompted that a monitored bed 2o is unnecessary for the patient 1008. If either the ECG or CXR are abnormal, the 21 intensivist is prompted to determine whether there is any hemodynamic instability 22 (hemodynamic instability being defined as the absence of hypovolemia, spinal cord injury, 23 or sepsis) that cannot be explained by hypovolemia, spinal cord injury, or sepsis 1010.
24 If this criteria is not met, the intensivist is prompted: that the patient should be in a 2s monitored bed; that the ECG should be repeated at 24 hours; that, at any time, if 26 unexplained hemodynamic instability is present, the intensivist should request a stat echo;
27 and that, if blunt thoracic aortic injury is also suspected, a transesophogeal t echocardiogram (TEE) is favored over a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) 1012. Once 2 the results of these tests are obtained, the intensivist is prompted further to determine 3 whether ectopy, arrhythmia, or abnormality is present on the ECG 1014. If none of these 4 criteria are met, the intensivist is prompted that cardiac injury is excluded 1016. If any of these criteria are met, the intensivist is prompted that he should consider monitoring the 6 patient for an additional 24 hours 1018.
7 If the internist determines that there is any hemodynamic instability that cannot be 8 explained by hypovolemia, spinal cord injury, or sepsis 1010, he is prompted: to perform 9 a stat echo; and, if blunt thoracic aortic injury is also suspected, that a transesophogeal to echocardiogram (TEE) is favored over a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) 1020. Once t t the results of the stat echo are obtained, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether 12 the echo is abnormal with possible causes for the abnormality being:
pericardial effusion 13 (tamponade; hypokineses or akinesis (wall motion); dilatation or reduced systolic 14 function; acute valvular dysfunction; and/or chamber rupture 1022. If the stat echo is is abnormal, the intensivist is prompted to treat as indicated for the particular cause of the 16 abnormality 1026. If the stat echo is not abnormal, the intensivist is prompted to continue 17 to monitor the patient and repeat the ECG at 24 hours 1024.
is Once the results of the ECG are obtained, the intensivist is prompted to determine t9 whether ectopy, arrhythmia, or abnormality are present on the ECG 1014. If this criteria is 2o not met, the intensivist is prompted that cardiac injury is excluded 1016.
If this criteria is 21 met, the intensivist is prompted that he should consider monitoring the patient for an 22 additional 24 hours 1018.
23 Referring to Figure 24, the candiduria decision support algorithm, which is yet 24 another decision support algorithm of the present invention is illustrated.
In the candiduria 25 decision support algorithm, the intensivist is presented with the criteria for diagnosing 26 candiduria, or severe fungal infection. First, the intensivist determines whether the patient 27 has any medical conditions that render the patient prone to fungal infections, such as 2s diabetes, GU anatomic abnormality, renal transplant, or pyuria 1100. If there are no such 29 conditions, the intensivist is next prompted by the system to look for dissemination or 3o spreading of the fungal infection 1102. If the infection does not seem to have spread, the 3 i intensivist is prompted to change the patient's catheter and test for pyuria after twenty four 32 hours have passed 1104.

1 The intensivist is prompted by the system to determine whether the patient can 2 have P.O. 1106. If the patient can take P.O., the system next prompts the intensivist to 3 determine whether azoles, an organic compound for inhibiting fungal growth, have been 4 administered in the past three days to fight the infection 1108. If azoles have been previously administered, the systemic infection diagnosis is confirmed and the intensivist 6 is referred to the systemic amphotericin dosing algorithm 1110. If azoles have not been 7 previously administered, directions for the proper treatment dosage of fluconazole (a type 8 of azole) is provided to the intensivist along with adjustments for the species of fungus 9 found 1112. Where the patient cannot take P.O., the intensivist is again referred to the o systemic amphotericin dosing algorithm 1114.
1 t When the patient does have some condition prone to fungal infection, the 12 intensivist is prompted to determine what other signs of dissemination are exhibited in the 13 patient 1116. The intensivist is prompted to see if the patient can take P.O. If the patient 14 cannot take P.O., the intensivist is referred to the systemic amphotericin dosing algorithm 1120. If the patient can take P.O., the intensivist is prompted to check whether azoles t6 have been administered in the previous three days 1122. If azoles have been administered, t7 the systemic infection is confirmed and the intensivist is referred to the systemic 18 amphotericin dosing algorithm 1124. If no azoles have been administered previously, the 19 intensivist is given instructions for administering fluconazole to treat the fungal infection 1126.
21 If there is no evidence of dissemination, the intensivist is still prompted to 22 determine whether the patient can take P.O. 1128. Where the patient cannot take P.O., 23 directions are provided to administer amphotericin bladder washing procedures 1130. If 24 the patient cannot take P.O., the intensivist is prompted to determine whether azoles have been administered in the previous three days 1132. If azoles have been administered, the 26 systemic infection is confirmed and the intensivist is referred to the systemic amphotericin 27 dosing algorithm 1134. If no azoles have been administered previously, the intensivist is 28 given instructions for administering fluconazole to treat the fungal infection 1136.
29 Referring to Figure 25, the Cervical Spine Injury decision support algorithm of the present invention is illustrated. If an intensivist suspects that a cervical spine injury may 3 ~ be present, the intensivist may not be certain of all of the factors that would be indicative 32 of this particular condition. Therefore, the intensivist is lead through a decision support t algorithm, which first prompts the intensivist to determine if the patient is awake, alert, not 2 intoxicated, and has no mental status changes 1200. If this criteria is met, the intensivist is 3 prompted to determine whether the patient has any neck pain 1202. If the patient does not 4 have any neck pain, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient has any other pain which would distract from their neck pain 1204. If this criteria is not met, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient has any neurologic deficits 1206.
7 If this criteria is not met, the intensivist is prompted that a stable C-spine is present if the 8 patient can flex, extend, move neck left/right without pain and without neck tenderness to 9 palpitation 1208. The intensivist is prompted further that he can remove the collar 1208.
t0 Alternatively, if the patient does have neck pain 1202, the intensivist is prompted t t to order 3 x rays 1210 consisting of: I ) lateral view revealing the base of the occiput to the 12 upper border of the first thoracic vertebra; 2) anteroposterior view revealing spinous 13 processes of the second cervical through the first thoracic vertebra; and 3) an open mouth t4 odontoid view revealing the lateral masses of the first cervical vertebra and entire odontoid process 1210. If the x rays are normal the intensivist is prompted to consider extension 16 then flexion lateral x rays; if normal he is prompted that he can remove the collar; if 17 abnormal, he is prompted to obtain a surgical consult 1212. If the x rays are abnormal, the 18 intensivist is prompted to obtain a surgical consult and order a CT scan 1214. If the x rays 19 are indeterminate, the intensivist is prompted to order a CT scan 1216.
2o Alternatively, if the patient has no other pain which would distract from their neck 21 pain 1204, the intensivist is prompted to order 3 x rays (the same types of x rays described 22 in 1210 above with the same prompting based on normal, abnormal, or indeterminate x 23 rays) 1218.
24 If the patient does have neurologic deficits 1206, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the neurologic deficit is referable to the cervical spine 1226. If this 26 criteria is not met, the intensivist is prompted to order 3 x rays (the same types of x rays 27 described in 1210 above with the same prompting based on normal, abnormal, or 28 indeterminate x rays) 1218. If the neurologic deficit is referable to the cervical spine 29 1226, the intensivist is prompted that the patient should obtain immediate spine trauma surgery consult and CT or MRI (if available) 1228.
31 Alternatively, if the intensivist determines that the patient does not pass the criteria 32 of being awake, alert, not intoxicated and having no mental status changes 1200, the t intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient has severe head trauma 1232. If 2 this criteria is met, the intensivist is prompted to order CT of the neck with head CT 1236.
3 If this criteria is not met, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient has 4 any neurologic deficit referable to the cervical spine 1234. If the intensivist determines that the patient does have a neurologic deficit referable to the cervical spine, the intensivist 6 is prompted that the patient should obtain immediate spine trauma surgery consult and CT
7 or MRI (if available) 1228. If the intensivist determines that the patient does not have a 8 neurologic deficit referable to the cervical spine 1234, he is prompted to order 3 x rays 9 (the same types of x rays described in 1210 above with the same prompting based on to normal, abnormal, or indeterminate x rays) 1218.
t t Referring to Figure 26, the Oliguria decision support algorithm of the present 12 invention is illustrated. If an intensivist suspects that Oliguria may be present, the t3 intensivist may not be certain of all of the aspects that would be indicative of this 14 particular condition. Therefore, the intensivist is lead through a decision support algorithm, which first causes the intensivist to determine if the patient is oliguric, with the 16 criteria being passage of less than 25 cc of urine in a period of 2 hours 1300. If this 17 criteria is met the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient is anuric (the t8 criteria for which is passage of less than 10 cc of urine in a 2 hour period) in spite of fluid 19 administration 1302.
If this criteria is met, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the urinary 21 catheter is working by flushing the catheter 1304. The intensivist is then prompted to 22 determine whether the catheter is functioning 1306. If the catheter is not functioning, the 23 intensivist is prompted to replace or reposition the catheter 1308. If the catheter is 24 functioning, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient has a history of 1) renal stone disease; 2) abdominal, pelvic, or retroperitoneal cancer; or 3) recent pelvic 26 or retroperitoneal surgery 1310. If any of these criteria are met, the intensivist is prompted 27 to perform the following actions: 1) do renal ultrasound emergently to rule out obstruction;
2s 2) while waiting for ultrasound, administer fluid at the rate of 7-15 ml/kg of bodyweight;
29 and 3) send urine for specific gravity determination 1312. Based on the renal ultrasound test results, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether an obstruction is present 3t 1314. If an obstruction is determined to be present, the intensivist is prompted to consult a 32 urologist immediately 1316.

t Alternatively, if the intensivist determines that the patient does not have a history 2 of: 1) renal stone disease; 2) abdominal, pelvic, or retroperitoneal cancer;
or 3) recent 3 pelvic or retroperitoneal surgery 1310, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether:
4 1) the patient has a history of heart failure or known ejection fraction of less than 30 percent; or 2) there are rates on the physical exam 1318.
6 Alternatively, if following the renal ultrasound test, the intensivist determines that 7 there is no obstruction the intensivist is prompted to determine whether: 1) the patient has 8 a history of heart failure or known ejection fraction of less than 30 percent; or 2) there are 9 rates on the physical exam 1318.
to If the intensivist determines that the patient is not anuric 1302, then the intensivist t 1 is prompted to determine whether: 1) the patient has a history of heart failure or known t2 ejection fraction of less than 30 percent; or 2) whether there are rates on the physical 13 examination 1318. If this criteria is not met, the intensivist is prompted to administer 14 fluids to the patient at the rate of 10-20 ml/kg of bodyweight 1320 and send the patient's t5 urine sample for a specific gravity test 1322 as more fully described in Figure 26A.
t6 Alternatively, if the patient does: 1 ) have a history of heart failure or known t7 ejection fraction less thaw30 percent; or 2) there are rates on the physical exam 1318, the tg intensivist is prompted to determine whether there has been a chest x-ray (CXR) in the last t9 6 hours 1324. If this criteria is not met, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether 20 there has been a change in respiratory status 1326. If there has been no change in the 2t respiratory status, the intensivist is prompted to administer 7-15 ml of fluids per kg of 22 bodyweight 1328 and to send the patient's urine sample for a specific gravity test.
23 Alternatively, if the intensivist determines that there has been a change in 24 respiratory status 1326, the intensivist is prompted to: 1) do a chest x-ray; and 2) 25 determine whether there is evidence of edema or congestion 1334. If there is evidence of 26 edema or congestion 1334, the intensivist is prompted to: 1) insert a PA
catheter to 27 measure wedge pressure and liver function to direct fluid replacement; and 2) send urine 28 creatinine and sodium 1332.
29 If the intensivist determines that there has been a CXR in the last 6 hours 1324, the 3o intensivist is prompted to determine whether there is evidence of edema or congestion 3t 1330. If there is no evidence of edema or congestion, the intensivist is prompted to t administer 7-15 ml of fluids per kg of bodyweight 1328 and send the patient's urine for a 2 specific gravity test 1322.
3 Alternatively, if the intensivist determines there is evidence of edema or 4 congestion 1330, the intensivist is prompted to: : 1) insert a PA catheter to measure wedge pressure and liver function to direct fluid replacement; and 2) send urine creatinine and 6 sodium 1332.
7 Referring now to Figure 26A, the oliguria algorithm description continues.
8 Following the specific gravity test of the patient's urine, the intensivist is prompted to 9 determine whether the results indicate the specific gravity is less than 1.018. If this t0 criteria is met, the intensivist is prompted to: I) send blood and urine immediately to test 11 for blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, electrolytes, and Hgb, and spot urine for t2 creatinine, sodium, and sediment; and 2) administer 5-10 ml of fluid per kg of bodyweight 13 1356.. Once the results of these tests are obtained, the intensivist is prompted to determine 14 what is the Hgb 1338.
If the Hgb has increased by more than 1.5 gm/dl compared to the previous hgb 16 1340, the intensivist is prompted to: 1) administer fluids 5-10 ml/kg of bodyweight and 17 follow the urine output closely 1342. Following this, the intensivist is prompted to 18 determine whether the labs confirm renal failure by use of the formula FENa Urine Na x t9 Serum Creatinine/Urine Creatinine x Serum Na x 100 1344.
If the Hgb is within 1.5 gm/dl from the previous hgb or no comparison 1352, the 2t intensivist is prompted to determine what is the mean blood pressure 1354.
If the mean 22 blood pressure is determined to be within 20 percent or higher than the baseline blood 23 pressure 1356, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the labs confirm renal 24 failure 1344. .If the mean blood pressure is determined to be greater than 20 percent below the baseline pressure 1358, the intensivist is prompted to give additional fluids and 26 consider invasive hemodynamic monitoring 1360. Following this, the intensivist is 27 prompted to determine whether the labs confirm renal failure by use of the formula 28 FENa Urine Na x Serum Creatinine/Urine Creatinine x Serum Na x 100 1344.
29 Alternatively if the Hgb has decreased by 1.5 gm/dl compared to the previous hgb 1362, the intensivist is prompted to: 1) transfuse PRBCs as needed; 2) look for source of 31 bleeding and check PT, aPTT, & platelet count 1364. Following this, the intensivist is 32 prompted to determine what is the mean blood pressue 1354. If the mean blood pressure 1 is determined to be greater than 20 percent below the baseline pressure 1358, the 2 intensivist is prompted to give additional fluids and consider invasive hemodynamic 3 monitoring 1360. Following this, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the labs 4 confirm renal failure by use of the formula FENa Urine Na x Serum Creatinine/Urine Creatinine x Serum Na x 100 1344.
6 If the labs do not confirm renal failure, as indicated by FENa <-1 percent 1346, the 7 intensivist is prompted to: 1 ) continue to administer fluids and follow urine output; and 2) 8 recheck creatinine in 6-12 hours 1348.
9 Alternatively, if the labs do confirm renal failure, as indicated by FENe ) 1 percent to 1350, the intensivist is prompted to: 1) place central venous pressure (CVP); 2) Assure t t adequate intravascular volume; 3) give trial of diuretics: 40 mg lasix IV, if no response in 12 1 hour, give hydrodiuril 500 mg IV, wait 20-30 minutes then give 100 mg lasix, if 13 persistent oliguria, restrict: 1 ) fluids; 2) potassium & phosphate; if diuresis ensues, restrict 14 only potassium & phosphate; in both situations, adjust all renally excreted medications;
and 4) see acute renal failure 1350.
16 Referring now to Figure 26B, the oliguria algorithm description continues.
17 Alternatively, following the specific gravity test of the patient's urine, the intensivist is ~8 prompted to determine whether the results indicate the specific gravity is greater than or 19 equal to 1.018 1336. If this criteria is not met 1364, the intensivist is prompted to 2o determine whether the urine is dark or tea colored 1366. 1f this criteria is met, the 21 intensivist is prompted to: 1) check creatinine phospho/kinase; and 2) force fluids to 22 induce diuresis 1368.
23 If the intensivist determines that the urine is not dark or tea colored, the intensivist 24 is prompted to: 1) administer 10-20 ml of fluids per kg of bodyweight; and 2) check hgb 1370. The intensivist is then prompted to determine what is the hgb 1372.
26 If the hgb is determined to be greater than 1.5 gm/dl higher than the previous hgb 27 1374, the intensivist is directed to: 1) force fluids; and 2) continue to follow the urine 28 output 1376.
29 Alternatively, if the hgb is determined to be within 1.5 gm/dl of the last hgb or 3o there is no hgb for comparison 1378, the intensivist is prompted to determine what is the 31 mean blood pressure 1380. 1f the mean blood pressure is determined to be 20 percent or 32 higher than the baseline pressure 1382, the intensivist is prompted to: 1) continue to 1 administer fluids; 2) follow urine output; and 3) check creatinine in 6-12 hours 1384. If 2 the mean blood pressure is determined to be greater than 20 percent below the baseline 3 pressure 1386, the intensivist is prompted to: I) continue to push fluids;
2) consider 4 invasive hemodynamic monitoring; and 3) if post-op abdominal trauma, consider abdominal compartment syndrome 1388.
6 If the hgb is determined to be greater than 1.5 gm/dl below the previous hgb 1390, 7 the intensivist is prompted to: 1) transfuse blood as needed; 2) look for bleeding source; 3) 8 check PT, aPPT & platelet count; 4) continue to push fluids; and 5) recheck hgb in I-2 9 hours 1392.
to Referring to Figure 27, the open fractures decision support algorithm of the 11 present invention is illustrated. Open fractures are where bone, cartilage, or a tooth break tz and push through the skin surface. The intensivist is first prompted by the system to 13 determine whether the patient has an open fracture 1500. If one has occurred, the 14 intensivist must then determine whether the wound is contaminated with soil, or was t5 inflicted in a barnyard 1502 in order to address higher risk of infection.
If the wound is 16 contaminated with soil, or was inflicted in a barnyard, the intensivist is prompted to 17 administer a high dose of penicillin to the antibiotics prescribed 1504.
The intensivist is 18 also prompted to take several treatment steps 1506. These treatment steps include 19 administering tetanus prophylaxis, such an antitoxin injection, monitoring staphylococcus 2o aureus until twenty-four hours after surgery, caring for the wound within six hours, and 2~ where the injury is found to be more severe during surgery, the intensivist is prompted to 22 administer aminoglycosides for seventy two hours.
23 If the wound is not contaminated with soil, or was inflicted in a barnyard, the 24 intensivist is next prompted to determine the severity of the wound 1508.
To do so, the 25 intensivist must determine the length of the wound and corresponding soft tissue damage.
26 If the wound is either less than one centimeter and clean or greater than a centimeter long 27 without extensive soft tissue damage, the Intensivist is prompted to take several treatment 28 steps 1506 as previously described. Where the soft tissue damage is extensive or 29 amputation has occurred, the intensivist is prompted by the system to make further 3o determinations 1510, 1512, 1514 about the wound caused by the fracture. The intensivist 31 is prompted to determine if enough soft tissue coverage is remaining for the wound to 32 close and heal 1510, if any arterial repair is needed 1512, and if extensive soft tissue so 1 damage with periostitial injury, and bone exposure 1514. If there is adequate soft tissue 2 coverage, the intensivist is advised that risk of infection is low and directed to take 3 treatment actions 1516. If arterial damage requiring repair is present, the intensivist is 4 advised by the system that risk of infection is moderate to high and given treatment instructions 1518. Where there is soft tissue injury with periostitial stripping and bone 6 exposure, the intensivist is alerted by the system that risk of infection is high and given 7 treatment instructions 1520. The treatment instructions in each case 1516, 1518, 1520 8 include administering tetanus prophylaxis, such an antitoxin injection, caring for the 9 wound within six hours, and performing: monitoring for staphylococcus aureus, and to administering aminoglycosides and high doses of penicillin, all for seventy two hours 11 before and after any operative procedures.
12 If the intensivist has determined that no exposed fracture has occurred, the system 13 next prompts the intensivist to determine whether there is any evidence of neuro-vascular 14 damage 1522. If there is evidence of neuro-vascular damage, the intensivist is prompted to consult with a nerosurgeon or vascular surgeon immediately 1524. If the intensivist 16 determines there is no evidence of neuro-vascular damage to the patient, the system next 17 prompts the intensivist to determine whether the patient has compartment syndrome 1526.
1 s If there is evidence of compartment syndrome seen in the patient, the intensivist is 19 prompted to consult orthopedics right away 1528. If there is no evidence of compartment syndrome seen in the patient, the intensivist is still prompted to consult orthopedics, but 21 without any prompt for time sensitivity 1530.
22 Referring to Figure 28, the Pancreatitis diagnostic algorithm of the present 23 invention is illustrated. To evaluate whether a patient has pancreatitis, the intensivist is 24 first prompted to examine whether severe epigastric abdominal pains and amylase levels three times greater than normal are present in the patient 1600. If neither or one of the 26 conditions is present, the intensivist is prompted to consider other causes ofthe abdominal 27 pain, such as mesenteric ischemia, a perforated ulcer, intestinal obstruction, biliary colic, 2s or an ectopic pregnancy 1602.
29 If severe epigastric abdominal pains and amylase levels three times greater than normal are present, the intensivist is next prompted to provide the Ranson Criteria which 31 is a criteria associated with the severity of pancreatitis and the potential outcome or 32 prognosis at that particular level of severity, or Apache II score which is also a score t associated with the severity of the disease and the potential prognosis at a particular level 2 of the patient 1604. If the patient has a Ranson Criteria less than three or an Apache II
3 score of less than eight, the intensivist is prompted by the system to consider removing the 4 patient from the Intensive Care Unit 1606. However, if the patient has a Ranson Criteria greater than three or.an Apache II score of greater than eight, the intensivist is instructed to 6 perform an abdominal ultrasound test within twenty-four hours 1607. If the results of the ultrasound test show a biliary obstruction, the intensivist is instructed to consider 8 performing an ERCP to find and remove any gallstones 1608.
9 If the abdominal ultrasound results do not show any biliary obstruction, intensivist to is next prompted to perform more diagnostic tests 1610. The intensivist is directed to 11 perform a Dynamic IV contrast and an abdominal Computerized Tomography (CT) scan.
12 If the intensivist does not suspect a surgical condition exists, such as a perforated ulcer, 13 mesenteric infarction or pancreatic infection, the tests may be performed after three days 14 have passed. If the intensivist does suspect a surgical condition exists, the tests should be is performed within three days. In either case, if the patient has creatinine levels greater than 16 or equal to 2 miligrams per dl, the intensivist should not perform the Dynamic IV contrast t 7 test.
is Once the CT scan is performed, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether t9 necrotizing pancreatitis is present 1612. The intensivist is next required to determine 20 whether the patient has improved since admission 1614. If no improvement has been 21 seen, the intensivist is directed to perform percutaneous fluid aspiration and do a gram 22 stain culture the collected fluid 1616. If the culture shows infection 1618, the intensivist is 23 directed to perform surgical debridement of the pancreas 1620. If the results of the culture 24 are sterile 1622, the intensivist is directed to closely follow up on the patient's condition 25 1624 and watch for clinical deterioration 1626. If the patient does further deteriorate, the 26 intensivist is then instructed to perform a surgical debridement of the pancreas 1628. If 27 the patient does not deteriorate, the intensivist is still prompted to closely follow the 2s patient's condition 1630.
29 Where the CT scan does not show signs of necrotizing pancreatitis 1612, the 30 intensivist is prompted by the system to closely observe the patient 1632.
The intensivist 3t is also prompted to check whether clinical deterioration is occurring 1634.
If no 32 deterioration is observed, the intensivist continues to observe the patient's condition 1636.

If clinical deterioration is occurring 1634, the intensivist is directed to perform 2 percutaneous fluid aspiration and do a gram stain culture the collected fluid 1616. If the 3 culture shows infection 1618, the intensivist is directed to order surgical debridement of 4 the pancreas 1620. If the results of the culture are sterile 1622, the intensivist is directed to closely follow up on the patient's condition 1624 and watch for clinical deterioration 6 1626. If the patient does further deteriorate, the intensivist is then prompted to order a 7 surgical debridement of the pancreas 1628. If the patient does not deteriorate, the 8 intensivist is still directed by the system to closely follow the patient's condition 1630.
9 Referring to Figure 29, the penicillin allergy diagnosis algorithm of the present l0 invention is illustrated. In order to diagnose a penicillin allergy, the intensivist is first 11 prompted to determine whether the patient has a history suggestive of previous penicillin 12 or cephalosporin anaphylaxis 1700. Various known reactions, including angioedema, 13 flushing, pruritis, airway obstruction, syncope, and hypertension, are displayed for the t4 intensivist's review. 1f the patient has previously had any of these reactions, the is intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient has ever taken synthetic or 16 partially synthetic abtibiotics, such as ampicillin, amoxicillin, duricef or kefzol, without 17 any anaphylaxis symptoms 1702. If the patient has taken synthetics without reaction, the 18 intensivist is advised by the system that penicillin or cephalosporin may be administered 19 1716. If the patient has reacted to synthetic or partially synthetic antibiotics, the intensivist 2o is next prompted to determine whether the patient needs penicillin or cephalosporin 2~ specifically 1704.
22 If the patient is not required to have penicillin or cephalosporin, the intensivist is 23 prompted to administer the synthetic antibiotics 1706. If the patient does need penicillin 24 or cephalosporin, the intensivist is directed by the system to consider consulting with an 25 allergist or immunologist and perform skin tests for reactions 1708. Next, the intensivist 26 is prompted to enter whether the skin test was positive 1710. If the results are negative, 27 the intensivist is further directed by the system to administer penicillin or cephalosporin 28 with caution, to consider pretreatment with benadryl or prednisone to counter any reaction, 29 and to closely monitor the patient 1712. If the results of the skin test are positive, the 3o intensivist is prompted by the system to perform desensitization procedures 1714.
31 If the patient does not have a history suggestive of previous penicillin or 32 cephalosporin anaphylaxis 1700, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the t patient has previously experienced skin-level reactions, such as exfoliative dermatitis, 2 Stevens Johnson Syndrome, or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, when given penicillin or 3 cephalosporin 1718. If the patient has previously experienced one of these reactions, the 4 intensivist is directed by the system to administer an alternative antibiotic 1720. If the patient has not experienced one of these reactions, the intensivist is prompted to determine 6 whether there is a history of any rash when given penicillin or cephalosporin 1722. If the 7 patent has not previously had a rash when given penicillin or cephalosporin, the intensivist s is advised that the patient will most likely be able to take penicillin or cephalosporin 1724.
9 If the patient has previously experienced a rash when given penicillin or to cephalosporin, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the rash presented when t t the patient was given ampicillin or amoxycillin 1726. If the rash resulted from ampicillin 12 or amoxycillin, the intensivist is next prompted to determine whether the rash was 13 urticarial 1728. If the rash was not urticarial, the intensivist is advised by the system that t4 the patent probably can take penicillin or cephalosporin, but should be closely monitored is 1730. If the rash was urticarial, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether or not the 16 patient needs penicillin or cephalosporin 1704.
t7 If the patient is not required to have penicillin or cephalosporin, the intensivist is is directed by the system to administer the synthetic antibiotics 1706. If the patient does t9 need penicillin or cephalosporin, the intensivist is directed to consider consulting with an 2o allergist or immunologist and perform skin tests for reactions 1708. Next, the intensivist 21 is prompted to enter whether the skin test was positive 1710. If the results are negative, 22 the intensivist is further directed to administer penicillin or cephalosporin with caution, to 23 consider pretreatment with benadryl or prednisone to counter any reaction, and to closely 24 monitor the patient 1712. If the results of the skin test are positive, the intensivist is 25 directed to perform desensitization procedures 1714.
26 Referring to Figure 30, the Post-Op Hypertension decision support algorithm of 27 the present invention is illustrated. If an intensivist determines that there may be a 2s possibility of post-op hypertension, the intensivist may not be certain of all aspects that 29 would be involved in this particular condition. Therefore, the intensivist is lead through a 3o decision support algorithm which prompts the intensivist to determine the appropriate care 31 to be given.

t Initially, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient is 2 hypertensive (BP greater than 20 percent above mean baseline) 1800. If this criteria is 3 met, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient has any of the causes of 4 reversible hypertension: 1) hypercapnia; 2) bladder distension; 3) pain; 4) increased ICP;
5) drugs (pressors, cocaine, ketamine and chronic MAO use with indirect acting 6 vasopressors); 6) automatic hyperreflexia; or 7) volume overload 1802. If any of these 7 criteria are met, the intensivist is prompted to first treat those specific etiologies and, if 8 pressure remains high, re-enter algorithm 1804.
Alternatively, if none of these criteria are met 1802, the intensivist is prompted to to determine whether the patient is at risk of injury from post-op hypertension (i.e., vascular t t surgery, coronary artery disease, neurosurgery, ocular surgery, etc.) 1806. If this criteria is 12 not met 1806, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the BP is greater than 40 t3 percent above mean baseline 1808. If this criteria is not met, the intensivist is prompted 14 that the patient may not need BP treatment 1810.
If the BP is greater than 40 percent above the mean baseline 1808, the intensivist is 16 prompted to determine whether the patient is in pain 1812. If this criteria is met 1812, the 17 intensivist is prompted to treat pain and continue 1814. Following this prompt 1814, the 18 intensivist is prompted next to determine whether the patient is actively bleeding or at 19 significant risk for post-op bleeding (i.e., "moist closure" or high drain output) 1816. If 2o this criteria is met 1816, the intensivist is prompted to use only short acting agents 21 including emolol and nitroprusside as needed until bleeding has abated 1818.
22 Alternatively, if this criteria is not met 1816, the intensivist is prompted to 23 determine whether the patient is tachycardic (absolute greater than 90 bpm or ((relative 24 greater than 15 percent over baseline)) 1820. If this criteria is met 1820, the intensivist is prompted to go to Decision Table C, which is programmed for the condition of a high 26 heart rate. If this criteria is not met 1820, the intensivist is prompted to eliminate (NOT C) 27 Table C and proceed to the next decision point 1820.
HRTTable C

CAD Y Y Y N N N

RAD N Y Y N Y N

J.EF N N Y N Y Y

Treatment1 L E L L A E

2"" E L A N N A

2 The intensivist is prompted next to determine whether the patient is bradycardic 3 (absolute less than 60 bpm) 1822. If this criteria is met, the intensivist is prompted to go 4 to Decision Table B, which is programmed for the condition of a low heart rate.
HR ~ Table B

CAD Y Y Y N N N

RAD N Y Y N Y N

J.EF N N Y N Y Y

Treatment1 ' N N A N A A

2"" S S S H H H

6 If this criteria is not met, the intensivist is prompted to eliminate (NOT
B) Table B
and proceed to the next decision point 1822. [Note: If NOT C and NOT B, the intensivist is prompted to go to Table A by default, i.e., If NOT C and NOT B Then A].
HR (nl) Table A

CAD Y Y Y N N N

RAD N Y Y N Y N

.REF N N Y N Y Y

Treatment1 ~ L E A N A A

2"" N N E A N N

1o The intensivist is prompted next to determine, sequentially, table input values for 11 CAD, RAD, and EF.
12 In these decision tables, the letter references have the following meanings:
13 L=labetalol, E=esmolol, A=enalapril, N=nicardipine, H=hyrdalazine, S=nitroprusside.

t The reference to 1 S' and 2"d means that treatment should begin with the I
S' drug and add or 2 substitute the 2"d drug as needed.
3 Using the above decision tables, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether 4 the patient has known coronary artery disease (CAD) or 3 or more risk factors for CAD
1824. If this criteria is met 1824, the intensivist is prompted to enter a "Y"
or "YES" for 6 CAD into the table selected above in 1820 and 1822. If this criteria is not met, the 7 intensivist is prompted to enter a "N" or "NO" for CAD into the table selected above in 8 1820 and 1822.
9 Next, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient has known to reactive airway disease (IRAD)1826. If this criteria is met 1826, the intensivist is 11 prompted to enter a "Y" or "YES" for 1RAD into the table selected above in 1820 and ~2 1822. If this criteria is not met, the intensivist is prompted to enter a "N" or "NO" for ~3 RAD into the table selected above in 1820 and 1822.
14 Next, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient has known EF
1s less than 30 percent or a history of systolic heart failure 1828. If this criteria is met 1828, 16 the intensivist is prompted to enter a "Y" or "YES" for EF into the table selected above in 17 1820 and 1822. If this criteria is not met 1828, the intensivist is prompted to enter a "N"
18 or "NO" for EF into the table selected above in 1820 and 1822.
19 Based on the table selected in 1820 and 1822 above, and the table inputs 2o determined from 1824, 1826, and 1828, the intensivist is prompted with the proper 2~ medication to administer for the ls' and 2"d treatment.
22 If the patient is not in pain 1812, the intensivist is prompted to employ the 23 procedures described above in 1816.
24 If the patient is at risk of injury from post-op hypertension 1806, the intensivist is 25 prompted to determine whether the blood pressure is greater than 40 percent above 26 baseline 1830. If this criteria is met 1830, the intensivist is prompted to employ the 27 procedures described above in 1812.
2s Alternatively, if this criteria is not met 1830, the intensivist is prompted to 29 determine whether the patient is in pain 1836. If this criteria is met 1836, the intensivist is 3o prompted to treat pain and reevaluate following analgesia and, if still hypertensive, to 31 continue algorithm 1838. Following this action 1838, the intensivist is prompted to t employ the procedures described above in 1816. If the patient is not in pain 1836, the 2 intensivist is prompted to employ the procedures described above in 1816.
3 If the patient is determined not to be hypertensive 1800, the intensivist is prompted 4 to determine whether the patient requires their BP controlled near baseline (i.e., neurosurgery, carotid surgery, thoracic aorta surgery) 1832. If this criteria is not met 6 1832, the intensivist is prompted that the patient probably does not need treatment 1834.
7 Alternatively, if this criteria is met 1832, the intensivist is prompted to employ the 8 procedures described above in 1836.
9 Referring to Figure 31, the pulmonary embolism diagnosis algorithm is illustrated.
to If a pulmonary embolism is suspected, the intensivist is first prompted to determine t t whether the patient is hemodynamically unstable 2900. If the patient is hemodynamically t2 unstable, the intensivist is directed by the system to consider performing an immediate 13 transthoracic echocardiogram, pulmonary angiogram and treatment consistent with t4 massive pulmonary embolism 2902. If the patient is not hemodynamically unstable, the t5 intensivist is prompted to perform a VQ scan and perform further assessment of the patient t 6 2904.
17 In order to further assess the patient, the intensivist is prompted to respond to a t8 series of questions 2906, 2908, 2910, 2912. The intensivist is prompted to determine 19 whether any of the following patient conditions are present: Dyspnea, Worsening chronic 2o dyspnea, Pleuritic chest pain, Chest pain that is non- retro sternal & non-pleuritic, OZ
21 saturation < 92% on room air that corrects with 40% OZ supplementation, Hemoptysis, or 22 Pleural rub 2906. The intensivist is also prompted to determine whether any risk factors 23 are in the patient's history, such as: Surgery within 12 weeks, Immobilization (complete 24 bed rest) for > 3 days within 4 weeks, Previous DVT or objectively diagnosed PE, Lower 25 extremity fracture & immobilization within 12 weeks, Strong family history of DVT or 26 PE( > 2 family members with objective proven events or ls' degree relative with 27 hereditary thrombophilia), Cancer (treatment within the last 6 months or palliative stages), 28 Postpartum, or Lower extremity paralysis 2908. Further, the intensivist must determine 29 whether the patient has any of the following symptoms: Heart rate > 90 beats/min, Temp 30 > 38.0, CXR free of abnormalities (edema, pneumonia, pneumothorax), or Leg symptoms 3t c/w DVT, syncope, blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg with heart rate greater than 100 32 beats/min, receiving mechanical ventilation and/or oxygen supplementation greater than ss 40%, and new onset or right heart failure (-JVP, new S l, Q3, T3, or RBBB) 2910. The 2 intensivist is also queried by the system to consider alternative diagnosis that may be more 3 likely than pulmonary embolism. To do so, the intensivist is prompted to consider 4 conditions that simulate major pulmonary embolism, such as myocardial infarction, acute infection with COPD, septic Shock, dissecting aortic aneurysm, or occult hemorrhage.
6 The intensivist is additionally prompted to consider conditions that simulate minor 7 pulmonary embolism, such as acute bronchitis, pericarditis, viral pleurisy, pneumonia, and s esophagealspasm 2912.
9 Referring to Figure 31A, the pulmonary embolism algorithm description o continues. The intensivist enters the answers to the assessment queries posed 2906, 2908, t 1 2910, 2912 into the system. If two or more responses to the patient condition query 2906 12 were answered yes and one or more questions were answered yes from: Heart rate > 90 t3 beats/min, Temp > 38.0, CXR free of abnormalities, or Leg symptoms c/w DVT
of the t4 symptoms query 2910 , the intensivist is informed that a typical pulmonary embolism is is present 2914. Next, the system compares this response to the answer to the alternative 16 diagnosis query 2912. If an alternative diagnosis is at least as likely as pulmonary 17 embolism 2916, the intensivist is also given a low probability 2918 to moderate 18 probability 2920 risk factor. If an alternative diagnosis is less likely than pulmonary 19 embolism 2922, the intensivist is given a moderate 2924 to high 2926 probability risk 2o factor.
21 If less than two yes answers resulted from the patient conditions 2906, the 22 intensivist is advised by the system that an atypical pulmonary embolism may be present 23 2928. Next, the system compares this response to the answer to the alternative diagnosis 24 query 2912. If an alternative diagnosis is at least as likely as pulmonary embolism 2930, 25 the intensivist is told there is no risk and low probability 2932 or some risk with a low 26 probability 2934 risk factor. If an alternative diagnosis is less likely than pulmonary 27 embolism 2934, the intensivist is given a no risk and low probability 2938 to risk but 2s moderate probability 2940.
29 If at least one answer to the symptoms of syncope, blood pressure less than 90 mm 3o Hg with heart rate greater than 100 beats/min, receiving mechanical ventilation and/or 31 oxygen supplementation greater than 40%, and new onset or right heart failure 2910 is 32 yes, the intensivist is prompted with a message that severe pulmonary embolism is 1 occurring 2942. Next, the system compares this response to the answer to the alternative 2 diagnosis query 2912. If an alternative diagnosis is at least as likely as pulmonary 3 embolism 2944, the intensivist is told there is a moderate probability of pulmonary 4 embolism 2946. If an alternative diagnosis is less likely than pulmonary embolism 2948, the intensivist is notified that a high probability of pulmonary embolism is present 2950.
6 Once the risk factors and probabilities are determined the system compares this 7 information to the VQ scan results. This comparison is performed according to the s following Table 4 below.
9 Table 4: Probability table to 11 Input Clinical Probability V/ Scan High Moderate Low High A A B

Intermediate B C C

Low B C E

Normal E E E

14 Where the VQ scan column and the risk column intersect, a letter code is assigned to 1 s various treatment instructions. The treatment instructions are as follows.
16 A = Pulmonary embolus diagnosed. Begin treatment 17 E = Pulmonary embolus excluded 18 B = Proceed with the following work-up:
19 1 ) Perform spiral CT(If patient has renal insufficiency [creatinine >
2.0], 20 consider going directly to pulmonary angiogram to reduce the potential dye 21 load). If positive begin treatment, 22 2) If negative, assess for DVT using compression ultrasound or venography.
If 23 positive begin treatment, 24 3) If negative, perform pulmonary angiogram. If positive begin treatment, if 25 negative diagnosis excluded.

1 C = Proceed with the following work-up:
2 1 ) Perform spiral CT. If positive begin treatment, 3 2) If negative, assess for DVT using compression ultrasound or venography.
If 4 positive begin treatment, 3) If negative perform D-dimer assay(elisa only). If negative diagnosis 6 excluded, If positive, perform serial ultrasound of the lower extremities.
7 Once the correlation is made, the instructions associated with the letter code are displayed by the system to prompt the intensivist with diagnosis and treatment instructions.
9 Referring to Figure 32, the seizure decision support algorithm of the present to invention is illustrated. If an intensivist encounters seizure in a patient, he may not be 11 certain of all of the aspects and the timelines that are critical to treating this particular 12 condition. Therefore, the intensivist is lead through a decision support algorithm, which 13 divides the treatment sequence into three segments: 0-30 minutes; 30-60 minutes; and 14 beyond 60 minutes.
is At the onset of a seizure, in the 0-30 minute segment of the algorithm, the 16 intensivist is prompted to give the patient lorazepam (0.1 mg/kg of bodyweight) in 2 mg 17 boluses up to 8 mg 2000. Subsequently, the intensivist is prompted to give the patient 18 phenytoin (18-20 mg/kg of bodyweight) at SOmg/min of fosphenytoin (18-20 mg/kg of 19 bodyweight) at 150 mg/min followed by S mg/kg of bodyweight/day through separate IV
20 line 2002.
21 During the 30-60 minute segment of the algorithm, the intensivist is prompted to:
22 reload additional phenytoin or fosphenytoin (10 mg/kg of bodyweight) maintaining 23 previous infusion; and give additional lorazepam (0.05 mg/kg of bodyweight) 2004.
24 Subsequently, the intensivist is prompted to begin continuous EEG
monitoring 2006.
25 The intensivist is then prompted to determine whether the patient is 26 hemodynamically stable 2008. If hemodynamically stable, the intensivist is prompted to 27 administer propofol 1-2 mg/kg of bodyweight bolus followed by 2-10 mg/kg/hr 2010.
28 At the 60 minute segment of the algorithm, the intensivist is prompted that if 29 seizure activity stops, he should taper either midazolam or propofol over the next 12-24 3o hours while maintaining phenytoin but if seizures persist, he is prompted to move to the 31 pentobarbital coma block 2012.
32 Under pentobarbital coma, the intensivist is prompted to administer 10-15 t mg/kg/hr and to maintain until seizure control is achieved on EEG 2014. The intensivist~ is 2 prompted further that the patient usually requires PA catheter and pressors to maintain 3 hemodynamic control 2014.
4 Alternatively, if the patient is determined to be hemodynamically unstable 2016, the intensivist is prompted to utilize fluids and pressors as needed (phynylephrine or 6 dopamine) midazolam 0.2 mg/kg bolus followed by 0.1-2.0 mg/kg/hr 2018.
7 At the 60 minute segment of the algorithm, the intensivist is prompted that if 8 seizure activity stops, he should taper either midazolam or propofol over the next 12-24 9 hours while maintain phenytoin but if seizures persist, he is prompted to move to the t0 pentobarbital coma block 2012.
t t Under pentobarbital coma, the intensivist is prompted to administer 10-15 12 mg/kg/hr and to maintain until seizure control is achieved on EEG 2014. The intensivist is 13 prompted further that the patient usually requires PA catheter and pressors to maintain 14 hemodynamic control 2014.
t5 Referring to Figure 33, the supra ventricular tachycardia (SVT) decision support 16 algorithm of the present invention is illustrated. If an intensivist determines that SVT is 17 present, the intensivist may not be certain of all aspects that would be involved in treating tg this particular condition. Therefore, the intensivist is lead through a decision support 19 algorithm which prompts the intensivist to determine the appropriate care to be given.
2o Initially, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether SVT is stable or unstable 21 2100. If SVT is stable 2102, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient 22 has a regular or irregular rhythm 2102. If the patient has a regular rhythm 2104, the 23 intensivist is prompted to determine whether there is a wide complex or a narrow complex 24 2104. If the intensivist determines that there is a wide complex 2106, the intensivist is 25 prompted to administer adenosine 6 mg/12 mg (if needed) 2108. Following the 26 administering of adenosine 2108, the intensivist is prompted to consider that if the patient 27 converts to sinus rhythm (SR) to - consider re-entrant functional or WPW re-entrant. If 2g the wide complex recurs, treat the patient with esmolol or Ca+2 blockers.
29 Alternatively; if no effect, the intensivist is prompted to consider V-tach 2112.
3o Next, the intensivist is prompted to: 1) load procainamide 150 mg over 10 min, then 1 31 mg/min infusion; and 2) synchronized cardiovert 2114.
32 Alternatively, if the wide complex slows, the intensivist is prompted to consider t SVT w/ aberrancy and continue to slow with esmolol or Ca+2 blockers 2116.
2 The intensivist is prompted next to administer esmolol/calcium blockers and link to 3 ventricular rate control 2118. The intensivist is prompted next to determine whether there 4 has been a conversion to SR 2120. If there is no conversion to SR in 24 hours, the intensivist is prompted to add antiarrhythmic agent and consider anticoagulation 2122.
6 The intensivist is prompted next to determine whether there has been conversion to SR. If 7 conversion to SR, the intensivist is prompted to continue maintenance antiarrhythmic 8 agent during hospitalization 2124. If no conversion to SR, the intensivist is prompted to 9 cardiovert while on antiarrhythmic & following heparinization 2126.
t0 If the patient has a regular rhythm 2104, the intensivist is prompted to determine t t whether there is a wide complex or a narrow complex 2104. If the intensivist determines t2 that there is a narrow complex 2128, the intensivist is prompted to to administer adenosine 13 6mg/l2mg (if needed) 2130. If administering the adenosine 2130 slows the ventricular 14 rate only and the atrial rate persists, the intensivist is prompted to consider atrial flutter and continue to slow with esmolol or Ca+2 blockers 2132. The intensivist is prompted 16 next to employ the procedures described above in 2118.
17 If administering the adenosine 2130 converts the patient to SR, the intensivist is 18 prompted to consider re-entrant sinus or functional and if recurs, treat with esmolol or t9 Ca+2 blockers 2134.
2o If administering the adenosine 2130 slows both atrial and ventricular rates the 21 intensivist is prompted that there is a probable sinus tachycardia 2136.
The intensivist is 22 prompted next to continue to slow with esmolol 2138. The intensivist is prompted next to 23 employ the procedures described above in 2118.
24 If SVT is stable 2102, the intensivist is also prompted to determine whether the patient has a. regular or irregular rhythm 2102. If the patient has an irregular rhythm 2140, 26 the intensivist is prompted that if no p waves, there is probable Atrial fibrillation 2142.
27 The intensivist is prompted next to slow ventricular response with esmolol or Ca+2 28 blockers 2144. The intensivist is prompted next to employ the procedures described above 29 in 2118.
If the patient has an irregular rhythm 2140, the intensivist is prompted to determine 31 whether there are more than 3 p wave types MAT - and to treat underlying lung dz. and 32 avoid theophylline compounds 2146. The intensivist is prompted next to slow rate with t Ca+2 blockers only 2148. The intensivist is prompted next to employ the procedures 2 described above in 2118.
3 Referring now to Fig. 33A, the description of the SVT decision algorithm 4 continues. If SVT is unstable 2101, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient has SBP less than 80, ischemia, mental status changes 2150. The intensivist is 6 prompted next to perform synchronous cardioversion (100 J, 200 J, 300 J) 2152. The intensivist is prompted next that if sinus rhythm: 1) correct reversible etiologies; 2) 8 consider starting IV antiarrhythmic for maintenance of sinus rhythm 2154.
Alternatively, 9 following 2152, the intensivist is prompted next that if continued SVT: 1) correct to reversible etiologies; 2) load IV antiarrhythmic (see dosing guidelines) and repeat DC
11 cardioversion 2156.
12 For example, and without limitations, wide complex QRS Tachycardia is also 13 addressed in the decision support algorithm of the present invention.
Referring to Figure 14 34, the wide complex QRS tachycardia decision support algorithm is illustrated. If an i5 intensivist determines that there may be a possibility of wide complex QRS
tachycardia, t6 the intensivist may not be certain of all aspects that would be involved in this particular 17 condition. Therefore, the intensivist is lead through a decision support algorithm which t8 prompts the intensivist to determine the appropriate care to be given.
19 Initially, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient is 2o hemodynamically stable (no angina, heart failure, or hypotension (systolic less than 80 21 mm)) 2200. If this criteria is not met, the intensivist is prompted to go to the cardio-22 pulmonary guidelines algorithm which is generally known to those skilled in the art.
23 Alternatively, if this criteria is met, the intensivist is prompted to determine 24 whether the patient is within 7 days of a myocardial infarction or at risk for myocardial 25 ischemia 2202. If the patient is not within 7 days of a myocardial infarction or at risk for 26 myocardial ischemia 2202, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the wide 27 complex QRS rhythm is sustained (greater than 30 seconds) 2234. If this criteria is not 28 met, the intensivist is prompted to determined whether the QRS is monomorphic 2236. If 29 the QRS is monomorphic 2236, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the 3o patient has structural heart disease 2242. If the patient has structural heart disease 2242, 3t the intensivist is prompted to: 1) monitor closely; 2) look for reversible etiologies; and 3) 32 consider antiarrhythmic therapy 2244. If the patient does not have structural heart disease 1 2242, the intensivist is prompted to: 1) monitor closely; 2) look for reversible etiologies;
2 and 3) if recurs and symptomatic may require further testing (prolonged holter or EP
3 study) 2246.
4 If the QRS is not monomorphic 2236, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the QT is prolonged 2238. If this criteria is met, the intensivist is prompted to: I) 6 check K; 2) give Mg; and 3) consider overdrive pacing 2240. If the intensivist determines 7 that the QT is not prolonged, 2238, the intensivist is prompted to employ the procedures 8 described above in 2242.
9 If the wide complex QRS rhythm is sustained 2234, the intensivist is prompted to to determine whether the rhythm is polymorphic or irregular 2208. If the rhythm is 1 t polymorphic or irregular, the intensivist is prompted to consider atrial fibrillation with 12 accessory pathway conduction and load with procainamide and get a cardiology t3 consultation 2210. Ifthe rhythm is not polymorphic or irregular, the intensivist is t4 prompted with the question of whether he wishes to: I) perform ECG
diagnosis; or 2) administer adenosine diagnostically 2220. If the intensivist makes the determination to 16 perform an ECG diagnosis 2220, he is prompted to go to the ECG diagnosis algorithm 1 ~ 2300.
is If the intensivist makes the determination to administer adenosine diagnostically 19 2220, he is prompted to go to the administer adenosine branch of the algorithm 2222. If 2o there is no effect, the intensivist is prompted that there is probable VT
and to determine 2t whether the VT is monomorphic 2224. If the VT is monomorphic 2224, the intensivist is 22 prompted to load with procainamide and perform synchronous cardioversion 2226.
23 Alternatively, if the VT is not monomorphic 2224, the intensivist is prompted to 24 load with lidocaine and perform immediate cardioversion 2228.
If the ventricular response is slowed after administering adenosine 2222, the 26 intensivist is prompted to consider SVT with aberrancy and treat with esmolol or Ca 27 blockers 2230.
28 If the ventricular response converts to sinus rhythm after administering adenosine 29 2222, the intensivist is prompted: to consider re-entrant mechanism with BBB or WPW;
3o and, 1) if WPW consult cardiology for possible ablation 2232.
3~ If the patient is within 7 days of a myocardial infarction or at risk for myocardial 32 ischemia 2202, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the wide complex is t sustained (30 seconds) 2204. If the wide complex is not sustained 2204, the intensivist is 2 prompted to determine whether the patient: 1 ) symptomatic; 2) tachycardia runs are 3 frequent; or 3) the tachycardia rates are rapid (greater than 180) 2212. If this criteria is not 4 met, the intensivist is prompted to observe 2216. Alternatively, if this criteria is met 2212, the intensivist is prompted to: 1) administer lidocaine 100-200 mg & 1-4 mg/min 6 infusion; and 2) amiodarone 2214.
7 If the wide complex is sustained 2204, the intensivist is prompted to determine 8 whether the rate is greater than 140/min 2206. If this criteria is not met 2206, the 9 intensivist is prompted: to consider accelerated idioventricular, and that in some patients 1o this can lead to hemodynamic compromise; and that 1) he can perform overdrive pacing if t t needed 2218.
t2 Alternatively, if this criteria is met, the intensivist is prompted to follow the 13 procedures in 2208.
t4 If the intensivist makes the determination to perform ECG Diagnosis 2220, he is prompted to go to the ECG Diagnosis branch of the algorithm 2220. Referring now to 16 Figure 34A, in the ECG Diagnosis branch, the intensivist is prompted to determine 17 whether the patient has known pre-excitation syndrome 2300. If this criteria is met, the is intensivist is prompted to determine whether the QRS complexes are predominantly t9 negative in leads V4-V6 2302. If the QRS complexes are predominantly negative in leads V4-V6, the intensivist is prompted that there is probable VT 2304.
21 If the QRS complexes are not predominantly negative in leads V4-V6 2302, the 22 intensivist is prompted to determine whether there is a QR complex in one or more of 23 leads V2-V6 2306. If this criteria is met, the intensivist is prompted that there is probable 24 VT 2308.
Alternatively, if this criteria is not met 2306, the intensivist is prompted to 26 determine whether there are more QRS complexes than P waves 2310. If there are more 27 QRS complexes than P waves 2310, the intensivist is prompted that there is probable VT
28 2312. If there are not more QRS complexes than P waves 2310, the intensivist is 29 prompted: to consider pre-excited SVT; and that he may wish to perform EP
study 2314.
3o If the intensivist determines that the patient does not have known pre-excitation 31 syndrome 2300, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether there is an RS complex 32 present in any precordial lead 2316. If this criteria is not met 2316, the intensivist is 1 prompted that there is probable VT 2318.
2 Alternatively, if this criteria is met 2316, the intensivist is prompted to determine 3 whether the R to S interval is greater than 100 MS in any one precordial lead 2320. If this criteria is met, the intensivist is prompted that there is probable VT 2322.
If the R to S interval is not greater than 100 MS in any one precordial lead 2320, 6 the intensivist is prompted to determine whether there is evidence of atrioventricular 7 dissociation 2324. If this criteria is met, the intensivist is prompted that there is probable s VT 2326.
9 Alternatively, if there is no evidence of atrioventricular dissociation 2324, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether V-1 is negative and V-6 positive and QRS
11 greater than 0.14 mSEC 2328. If this criteria is met, the intensivist is prompted that there ~2 is probable VT 2330.
13 If this criteria is not met 2328, the intensivist is prompted that the situation may 14 represent SVT with aberrancy or underlying bundle branch block 2332.
Referring to Figure 35, the assessment of sedation algorithm of the present 16 invention is illustrated. If an intensivist encounters a need for sedation, he may not be 17 certain of all of the aspects and the timelines that are critical to this particular process.
18 Therefore, the intensivist is lead through a decision support algorithm, which prompts the 19 intensivist to address a number of factors in the process 3100.
2o The intensivist is prompted initially to go to the Scoring section of the algorithm 21 3100. The intensivist is prompted to proceed through a number of scorings 3102 and to 22 first score the patient's alertness with points being allocated in the following manner:
23 asleep/unresponsive=0; responsive to voice=1; and hyperresponsive=2 3104.
24 The intensivist is prompted next to score the patient's movement with points being allocated in the following manner: no spontaneous movement=0; spontaneous 26 movement=l; and pulls at lines, tubes, dressings=2 3106.
27 The intensivist is prompted next to score the patient's respiration based on whether 28 the patient is mechanically ventilated or spontaneously breathing with points being 29 allocated as subsequently discussed. If the patient is mechanically ventilated, the 3o intensivist is prompted to allocate points in the following manner: no spontaneous 31 ventilation=0; spontaneous ventilations and synchronous with ventilator=1;
or 32 spontaneous ventilations with cough or dysynchrony>10 percent of breaths=2 3108.

1 Alternatively, if the patient is spontaneously breathing, the intensivist is prompted to 2 allocate points in the following manner: respiration rate (RR) <10=0; RR=10-30=1; or 3 RR>30=2 3108.
The intensivist is prompted next to score the patient's heart rate with points being allocated in the following manner: >20 percent below mean for last 4 hr=0;
within 20 6 percent mean for last 4 hi=1; or >20 percent above mean for last 4 hi=2 3110.
7 The intensivist is prompted next to score the patient's blood pressure with points 8 being allocated in the following manner: MAP >20 percent for last 4 hr=0;
MAP within 9 20 percent mean for last 4 hr=1; or MAP >20 percent above mean for last 4 hi=2 3112.
The intensivist is prompted next to determine the sedation score by the following 11 formula: SEDATION SCORE=alertness + movement + respirations + heart rate +
blood 12 pressure 3114. In one embodiment, respiratory rate, heart rate, and BP can be computer 13 linked to monitor data thereby simplifying the sedation scoring assessment.
The nursing 14 observations are deemed intuitive and the nursing burden in sedation scoring can be minimal by using this point scoring.
16 Referring now to Figure 35A, the sedation assessment algorithm description 17 continues. The intensivist is prompted then to continue the sedation assessment by 18 moving to the Pain Assessment section of the algorithm 3116.
19 In the Pain Assessment section, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether 2o the patient is conscious, communicative, and acknowledging pain 3118. If this criteria is 21 not met, the intensivist is prompted to determine: whether the sedation score is greater 22 than 2 and the patient: is known to be in pain before becoming uncommunicative; or S/p 23 recent surgery; or having tissue ischemia or infarct; or has wounds; or has large tumor 24 possibly impinging on nerves. If the answer to either of these two questions is YES, the intensivist is prompted to treat for pain 3118. The intensivist is prompted then to 26 continue the assessment by moving to the Delirium Assessment section of the algorithm 27 3118.
28 In the Delirium Assessment section, the intensivist is prompted to determine 29 whether the sedation score is greater than 2 AND the patient has: day/night reversal with 3o increased agitation at night OR eyes open and "awake" but disoriented; or eyes open and 31 "awake" but pulling at lines, tubes, or dressings OR difficult to sedate prior to ventilator 1 weaning OR paradoxical response to benzodiazepines. If this criteria is met, the 2 intensivist is prompted to consider butyrophenone 3120.
3 Referring to Figure 36, the Bolus sliding scale algorithm is illustrated. If an 4 intensivist encounters a need for sedation, the algorithm for which may contain a reference to the bolus sliding scale for midazolam, he may not be certain of all of the aspects which 6 are critical to this scale. Therefore, the intensivist is lead through a decision support 7 algorithm, which prompts the intensivist through the use of the scale 3200.
8 If lorazepam is less than 0-2 mg IV q 6hr, then the intensivist is prompted to give 9 midazolam 1-2 mg q 5 min until adequately sedated 3202.
Alternatively, if lorazepam equals 2-4 mg IV q 4 hr, then the intensivist is 11 prompted to give midazolam 2 mg q 5 min until adequately sedated 3202.
12 Alternatively, if lorazapam is greater than 10 mg IV q 4 hr, then the intensivist is 13 prompted to give midazolam 5 mg q 5 min until adequately AND consider fentanyl and/or 14 droperidol or Haldol for synergy despite delirium and pain assessment 3202.
1s Yet another decision support routine is the sedation algorithm. Referring to Figure 16 37, the sedation process decision support algorithm is illustrated. If an intensivist 17 determines that a patient will require sedation, the intensivist may not be certain of all 18 aspects that would be involved in this particular process. Therefore, the intensivist is lead 19 through a decision support algorithm, which prompts the intensivist to conduct a sedation 2o assessment based on: 1) scoring; 2) pain; and 3) delirium (see Assessment of Sedation 21 algorithm) 3300.
22 Following completion of the sedation assessment process 3300, the intensivist is 23 prompted to determine whether the patient is in pain 3302. If this criteria is met, the 24 intensivist is prompted to administer bolus morphine, fentanyl, other narcotic, start patient 2s controlled analgesic (PCA) or epidural analgesia as indicated 3324. If the patient is not in 26 pain 3302 or after administering bolus morphine, fentanyl, other narcotic, start patient 27 controlled analgesic (PCA) or epidural analgesia as indicated 3324, the intensivist is 28 prompted to determine whether the patient is delirious 3304.
29 If the intensivist determines that the patient is delirious 3304, he is prompted to 30 administer droperidol 2.5-5 mg q30min prn and that he may consider IV
Haldol not to 31 exceed 30mg/24hr 3326. If the patient is not delirious or after following the procedures in 32 3326, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient will need sedation for 1 more than the next 24 hours 3306. If the patient will not need sedation for more than the 2 next 24 hours 3306, the process continues as described in Figure 38.
3 Alternatively, if the patient will need sedation for more than the next 24 hours 4 3306, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the sedation score is 8-10 3308. If this criteria is met, the intensivist is prompted to employ the Bolus sliding scale 6 midazolam and increase lorazepam by 20 percent 3328 (see Bolus sliding scale midazolam 7 algorithm - Figure 36). Subsequently, the intensivist is prompted to reassess sedation in 4 hr 3330.
9 If the sedation score is not 8-10, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the sedation score is greater than or equal to the last Sed Scr after sedative bolus or 11 increase 3310. If this criteria is met, the intensivist is prompted to employ the procedures 12 described above in 3328 and 3330.
13 If the sedation score is not greater than or equal to the last Sed Scr after sedative i4 bolus or increase 3310, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether four (4) or more midaz boluses have been given since last q4hr assessment 3312. If this criteria is met, the 16 intensivist is prompted to employ the procedures described above in 3328 and 3330.
m Alternatively, if less than four (4) midaz boluses have been given since last q4hr 18 assessment 3312, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient is 19 adequately sedated 3314. If this criteria is not met, the intensivist is prompted to employ the procedure described in 3328 and 3330.
21 If the intensivist determines that the patient is adequately sedated 3314, the 22 intensivist is prompted to determine whether the sedation score is 0-2 3316. If this criteria 23 is met, the intensivist is prompted to decrease lorazepam by 20 percent 3332 and reassess 24 sedation in 4 hr 3334.
Alternatively, if the sedation score is not 0-2 3316, the intensivist is prompted to 26 determine whether the sedation score is less than or equal to the last Sed Scr after sedative 27 decrease 3318. If this criteria is met, the intensivist is prompted to employ the procedure 28 described in 3332 and 3334.
29 If the sedation score is not less than or equal to the last Sec Scr after sedative increase 3318, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient is clinically 31 oversedated 3320. If the patient is clinically oversedated 3320, the intensivist is prompted 32 to employ the procedure described in 3332 and 3334. If the patient is not clinically 1 oversedated 3320, the intensivist is prompted to reassess sedation in 4 hr 3322.
2 Referring to Figure 38, the short term sedation process decision support algorithm 3 of the present invention is illustrated. If an intensivist determines that a patient will not 4 require sedation past the next 24 hour period, the intensivist may not be certain of all aspects that would be involved in this particular process. Therefore, the intensivist is lead 6 through a decision support algorithm, which prompts the intensivist to conduct a sedation 7 assessment based on: 1) scoring; 2) pain; and 3) delirium (see Assessment of Sedation 8 algorithm) 3100.
Following completion of the sedation assessment process 3100, the intensivist is l0 prompted to decrease lorazepam by 20 percent from baseline per day 3102.
The 11 intensivist is prompted next to determine whether the patient is in pain 3104. If this i2 criteria is met, the intensivist is prompted to administer bolus morphine or fentanyl 3122.
13 If the patient is not in pain or after administering bolus morphine or fentanyl 3122, the 14 intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient is delirious 3106.
If the intensivist determines that the patient is delirious, he is prompted to 16 administer droperidol 2.5-5 mg q30min prn 3124. If the patient is not delirious or after 17 administering droperidol 3124, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the 18 sedation score is 8-10 3108.
19 If this criteria is met, the intensivist is prompted to employ the Bolus sliding scale midazolam (see Bolus sliding scale midazolam algorithm) and begin midazolam infusion 21 or begin propofol 1-2 mg/kg bolus and 5-50 mcg/kg/min infusion 3126.
Subsequently, the 22 intensivist is prompted to reassess sedation in 1 hr 3128.
23 If the sedation score is not 8-10, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether 24 the sedation score is greater than or equal to the last Sed Scr after sedative bolus or increase 3110. If this criteria is met, the intensivist is prompted to employ the procedures 26 described above in 3126 and 3128.
27 If the intensivist determines that the sedation score is not greater than the last 28 sedation score after sedative bolus or increase 3110, the intensivist is prompted to 29 determine whether the patient is adequately sedated 3112. If this criteria is not met, the 3o intensivist is prompted to employ the procedures described above in 3126 and 3128.
31 If the intensivist determines that the patient is adequately sedated 3112, he is 32 prompted to determine whether the sedation score is 0-2 3114. If this criteria is met, the 1 intensivist is prompted to determine if the patient has been sedated for more than 72 2 hours 3130. If the patient has not been sedated for more than 72 hours 3130, the 3 intensivist is prompted to hold midazolam or propofol and hold or decrease lorazepam by 50 percent 3132. The intensivist is prompted subsequently to reassess sedation in 1 hour s 3134.
6 Alternatively, if the intensivist determines that the patient has been sedated for 7 more than 72 hours 3130, the intensivist is prompted to hold midazolam or propofol and 8 decrease lorazepam by 20 percent per day 3136. The intensivist is prompted 9 subsequently to reassess sedation in 1 hour 3134.
1o Alternatively, if the intensivist determines that the sedation score is not 0-2 3114, 11 the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the sedation score is less than or equal to 12 the last sedation screening after sedative decrease 3116. If this criteria is met, the ~3 intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient has been sedated for more than 14 72 hours and to follow the procedures described above in 3130.
15 If the intensivist determines that the sedation score is not less than or equal to the 16 last Sed Scr after sedative decrease 3116, the intensivist is prompted to determine 17 whether the patient is clinically oversedated 3118. If this criteria is met, the intensivist is 18 prompted to determine whether the patient has been sedated for more than 72 hours and 19 to follow the procedures described above in 3130. If this criteria is not met, the 20 intensivist is prompted to reassess sedation in 1 hr 3120.
21 Referring to Figure 39, the respiratory isolation decision support algorithm is 22 illustrated. If an intensivist determines that there may be a need for respiratory isolation, 23 the intensivist may not be certain of all aspects that would be involved in this process.
24 Therefore, the intensivist is lead through a decision support algorithm which prompts the 25 intensivist to determine the need for respiratory isolation based upon: a) clinical 26 assessment; and/or b) smear/culture findings 3500.
27 Pursuing the clinical assessment branch of the decision support algorithm, the 28 intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient has known mTB
(mycobacterium 29 tuberculosis) 3502. If this criteria is met, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether 3o the patient has been compliant with their medications for over 2 weeks and is clinically 31 responding 3512. If the patient has not been compliant with their medications for over 2 32 weeks and is not clinically responding 3512, the intensivist is prompted that isolation is 1 required 3514. If the patient has been compliant with their medications and is clinically 2 responding 3512, the intensivist is prompted that no isolation is required 3516.
3 Alternatively, if the patient does not have known mTB 3502, the intensivist is 4 prompted to determine whether the patient has known mycobacterial disease other than TB 3504. If this criteria is met, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the 6 patient has new CXR (chest x ray) findings and symptoms (cough 2 weeks, fever, weight 7 loss) 3518. If the patient does not have new CXR findings and symptoms 3518, the 8 intensivist is prompted that no isolation is required 3520. If the patient does have new 9 CXR findings and symptoms 3518, the intensivist is prompted that isolation is required 3522.
11 If the patient does not have known mycobacterial disease other than TB
3504, the 12 intensivist is prompted to determine whether there is a new cavitary lesion on CXR 3506.
13 If this criteria is met, the intensivist is prompted that isolation is required 3524.
14 Alternatively, if there is no new cavitary lesion on CXR 3506, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether there are pulmonary infiltrates or whether the patient is 16 HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) positive 3508. If this criteria is not met, the 17 intensivist is prompted that no isolation is required 3510. If this criteria is met, the 18 intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient has new CXR
findings and 19 symptoms (cough 2 weeks, fever, weight loss) and at high risk: 1) known mTB
exposure;
2) homeless; 3) prisoner; 4) travel to area with multi-drug resistant TB 3526.
If this 21 criteria is met, the intensivist is prompted that isolation is required 3528. Alternatively, if 22 this criteria is not met, the intensivist is prompted that no isolation is required 3530.
23 Pursuing the smear/culture branch of the decision support algorithm 3500, the 24 intensivist is prompted to determine whether the AFB (acid-fast bacilli) smear is positive 3532. If the AFB smear is not positive, the intensivist is prompted that: no isolation is 26 required; await culture results; if culture negative, no isolation required; if culture positive 27 and patient has mycobacterial disease other than TB (MOTT no isolation is required; if the 28 culture is positive and the patient does not have MOTT consult ID 3534.
29 Alternatively, if the AFB smear is positive, the intensivist is prompted to determine 3o whether the patient has known mycobacterial disease other than TB 3536. If this criteria 31 is not met, the intensivist is prompted that isolation is required 3538. If this criteria is met, 1 the intensivist is prompted: to isolate until results of NAP test are in; if mTB positive 2 isolate the patient; if no mTB, no isolation is required 3540.
3 Referring to Figure 40, the empiric meningitis treatment decision support 4 algorithm of the present invention is illustrated. If the intensivist is treating a patient for meningitis, the intensivist is prompted to answer a series of queries by the system to 6 properly address medication and dosage. First, the intensivist is prompted to determine 7 whether the patient has suffered a head trauma or undergone neurosurgery 3700. The 8 answer to this question is input 1 to table x below. The intensivist is next prompted to 9 determine whether the patient is allergic to penicillin or is from an area where penicillin io resistant staphylococcus pneumoniae is prevalent 3702. The answer to this question 11 becomes input 2 to table x below. The intensivist must also determine whether the patient 12 is immunocompromised 3704, and the answer becomes input 3 to table x below.
The 13 intensivist determines if the patient is over fifty years of age 3706, with the answer being 14 input 4 in table x below. Lastly, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient has altered mental status 3708, and the answer becomes input 5 in table x below.
16 The inputs to each of these prompts 3702, 3704, 3706, 3708 is compared to a dosage 17 database according to the Table 5 below.
18 Table 5: Meningitis Input-Output Table In ut Combinations Out ut 1 1 = yes A) vancomycin 2=no 1.5-2gmIVq12h ceftazedine 2gm IV q 8 hr or cefa ime 2 m IV 8 hr 2 1 = yes B) vancomycin 2=no 1.5-2gmIVq12h aztreonam 0.5 - 2 m I V 6-8 h r 3 1 = no ampicillin 2 ~m IV d 4h 2=no 3=no +

4 = yes ceftriaxone 2 gm IV q12 cefotaxime 2 m IV 6 h 4 1 = no ceftriaxone 2 em IV 4 12 hr 2=no 3 = no or 4 = no cefotaxime 2 m IV 6 hr 5 1 = no amnicillin 2 gm IV p 4 hr 2=no 3 = es +

ceftazidime 2 gm IV q 8 hr or cefi ime 2 m IV 8 hr 6 1 = no vancomycin 1.5 - 2 am IV a 12 hr 2 = yes 3=no +

4 = es chloram henicol 1 m IV 6 hr 7 1 = no 2 = yes 3=no 4=no 8 1 = no 2 = yes 3 = es 9 5 = yes to add to output inputs 3-8 consider acyclovir 10 m /k IV 8h 2 In the Meningitis Input-Output Table, possible combinations of the five inputs are 3 listed. For the conditions manifested in the patient, different drugs and dosages will be 4 required. The proper treatment for each combination is listed in the output column of Table z. After the algorithm runs the comparison, the output is displayed on the computer 6 screen, prompting the intensivist with the proper treatment 3712.
7 Referring to Figure 41, the ventilator weaning decision support algorithm of the 8 present invention is illustrated. The ventilator weaning decision support algorithm is used 9 to determine whether an intensive care unit patient can return to breathing unassisted, and to discontinue use of a ventilator. Such a determination requires evaluation of the patient by 11 the intensivist over the course of several days.

12 To begin the decision process of whether to wean a patient from ventilator use, the 13 intensivist is prompted to conduct daily screening, preferably during the hours of 06:00 14 a.m. to 10:00 a.m 3800. The daily screen prompts the intensivist to determine whether:
the patients P/F ratio is greater than 200, the patient's positive end-expiratory pressure 16 (PEEP) is less than or equal to 5, whether cough suctioning has been adequate and/or 17 spontaneous, infusions with vasopressors have been necessary, and continuous infusions 18 of sedatives or neuromuscular blocking agents have been necessary 3800. If all conditions 19 3802 are answered no, the intensivist is directed by the system to repeat the daily screen 3805 the following morning. If all the conditions of the daily screen are met 3802, the 21 intensivist is prompted to perform additional tests.
22 If the patient has satisfied the daily screen, the intensivist is next directed to conduct a rapid shallow breathing test 3804. To perform the test, the intensivist is directed 2 to change the ventilator setting to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) less than or 3 equal to 5. In other words, there is no intermittent mandatory ventilation or pressure 4 support provided for the patient. The patient is given one minute to reach a steady state of breathing. Then the intensivist measures the ratio of breaths per minute to tidal volume 6 (fNT). The intensivist next is prompted to determine whether the patient's f/VT is less 7 than or equal to 105 breathes per minute 3806. If the patient's f/VT is greater than 105 8 breathes per minute, the intensivist is prompted to return to performing daily screening the 9 following morning 3808.
If the patient's f/VT is less than or equal to 105 breathes per minute, the intensivist 11 is next directed to perform a trial of spontaneous breathing. Here, the intensivist can either 12 insert a T-Piece in the patient's airway or reduce the patient's CPAP to less than or equal 13 to 5 over the course of two hours. The intensivist is prompted to observe the patient 14 periodically in order to evaluate if the patient is breathing without assistance 3810. The intensivist is prompted to perform a periodic assessment by determining whether: the 16 patient's breathing characteristics are greater than 35 breaths per minute for S minutes, or 17 Sp02 is less than 90%, or the patient's Heart Rate (HR) is grater than 140, or HR deviates 18 from the baseline breathing rate by more than 20%, or the patient's SBP is outside the 19 range of 90 to 180. If any of the conditions are met, the intensivist is directed by the 2o system to terminate ventilator weaning 3812. If the conditions are not met, the patient is 21 further assessed.
22 In further assessment, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient 23 has been able to breathe spontaneously for two hours, keep a clear airway, and does not 24 have any procedures scheduled within twenty-four hours that would require the patient to be intubated 3814. If the patient meets all of these criteria 3814, the intensivist is notified 26 by the system that the patient may be extubated 3816. If the patient does not meet one or 27 more of the criteria 3814, the intensivist is prompted to perform steps for progressive 28 weaning 3818.
29 Referring to Figure 41A, the ventilator weaning decision support algorithm of the 3o present invention is further illustrated. The intensivist, at his or her discretion may 31 choose either T-piece progressive weaning or pressure support progressive weaning. In 32 order to perform T-piece progressive weaning, the intensivist is directed to repeat the trial 1 of spontaneous breathing (as previously described 3810). The intensivist can either insert 2 a T-piece in the patient's airway or reduce the patient's CPAP to less than or equal to 5 3 over the course of two hours. The intensivist is prompted to perform periodic assessment 4 of the patient by either a two hour or 30 minute trial 3820.
In order to perform pressure support progressive weaning, the intensivist is first 6 prompted to observe whether the patient's pressure support (PS) rating is equal to eighteen 7 plus or minus the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Next, the intensivist is 8 directed by the system to regulate the pressure values in order to keep the patient's 9 respiratory rate (RR) between twenty and thirty. Next, the intensivist is directed by the 1o system to decrease the patient's pressure support by 2-4 centimeters of water two times 11 per day. Once the patient maintains pressure support for at least two hours, the intensivist 12 is prompted to further pursue extubating the patient 3822.
13 After either T-Piece progressive weaning 3820 or pressure support progressive 14 weaning 3822, the intensivist is next prompted to perform a periodic assessment of the patient. Here, the intensivist must determine whether whether: the patient's breathing 16 characteristics are greater than 35 breaths per minute for S minutes, or SpOz is less than 17 90%, or the patient's HR is grater than 140, or HR deviates from the baseline breathing 18 rate by more than 20%, or the patient's SBP is outside the range of 90 to 180. Where the 19 patient meets any of these criteria, the intensivist is prompted to terminate weaning. If the 2o patient meets none of these criteria, the intensivist is prompted to further assess the 21 patient's ability to breath spontaneously 3824.
22 In further assessment, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient 23 has been able to breathe spontaneously for two hours, keep a clear airway, and does not 24 have any procedures scheduled within twenty-four hours that would require the patient to be intubated 3826. If the patient meets all of these criteria 3814, the intensivist is notified 26 by the system that the patient may be extubated 3828. If the patient does not meet one or 27 more of the criteria 3826, the intensivist is directed by the system to allow the patient to 2s rest for at least twelve hours at A/C, the last level of pressure support the patient achieved 29 3830. The intensivist is prompted to resume progressive weaning the following day 3832.
Referring to Figure 42, the Warfarin Dosing Algorithm of the present invention is 31 illustrated. The intensivist is first prompted to give the initial dose and determine 32 subsequent dosage each day 3900. When the intensivist determines subsequent dosage, he 1 is first prompted to determine the patient's target INR 3902. If the patient's target INR
2 ranges from 2.0 to 3.0, the intensivist is prompted by the system to make further 3 determinations relevant to dosage. The intensivist is directed by the system to determine 4 whether the patient is taking drugs that effect prothrombin time 3904, the baseline INR
value 3906, and whether rapid anticoagulation is required 3908. Each answer is assigned 6 a point value, and the total points are tabulated. If the point value is greater than one, the 7 system refers to the 10 milligram load target database for dosing. If the point value is less 8 than one, the system refers to the 5 milligram load target database for dosing 3910.
9 At the initial INR determination 3902, if the patient's INR was initially between 1.5 and 2.0, the system refers to the 5 milligram load target database for dosing. If the 11 patient's INR was initially between 3.0 and 4.0, the system refers to the 10 milligram load 12 target database for dosing 3910. Next the intensivist is prompted to enter the day of 13 treatment 3912 and the patient's INR 3914. Depending on whether the system has been 14 directed to the S milligram load target or the 10 milligram load target, a comparison is run 3916 according to the following tables.

17 5 mg Load Target INR 1.5-2.0 Da <1.5 1.5-2 2-2.5 >2.5 2 5 1.25-2.5 0 0 3 5-7.5 1.25 - 2.5 0 - 1.25 0 10-'(Check to 4 see whether 1.25 - 2.5 0 - 1.25 0 pt has received vit K

5 (Check to 2.5 - 5 0 - 2.5 0 - 1.25 see whether pt Has received vit K

6 Obtain 2.5 - 5 1.25 - 2.5 0 - 1.25 hematology consultation.

1 10 m~ Load Target INR 3.0-4.0 Da <1.5 1.5-2 2-2.5 2.5-3 >3 2 10 7.5 - 10 5-7.5 2.5-5.0 0-2.5 3 10 -15 7.5 - 10 5-7.5 2.5 - 5 2.5-5 -15 (Check to see whether pt has received~~5 -12.5 5 - 10 5-7.5 2.5-5 vit K) 5 (Check to 10 - 12.5 7.5-10 5 - 7.5 2.5-5 see whether pt has received vit K

15-20 obtain 6 hematology 10 - 15 7.5-12.5 5 - 10 5-7.5 consultation.

3 The appropriate dosage and instructions is displayed on the computer screen to the intensivist 3918.
5 Referring to Figure 43, the heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) decision 6 support algorithm of the present invention is illustrated. The intensivist is prompted to 7 observe whether the patient's platelet count has dropped 50% or more over seventy-two s hours while being treated with heparin, and whether any other obvious causes of platelet 9 reduction might be present 4100. If such a drop has not occurred, the intensivist is 1o notified by the system that the patient most likely does not have HIT, but monitoring of 11 the platelet count should continue 4102. If the patient's platelet count has drastically 12 dropped, the intensivist is prompted to determine whether the patient has been treated with 13 heparin for more than three days 4104. Regardless of the answer, the intensivist is next 14 prompted to determine if the patient has been treated with heparin in the preceeding three 15 months 4106. If the patient has not received heparin in the preceeding three months, the 16 intensivist is notified by the system that HIT is not likely to be the cause of the platelet 17 drop. The intensivist is also prompted to monitor platelet count for infection or other 18 thronbocytopenia-causing drugs, and to consider stopping heparin therapy if the platelet 19 count drops below 50,000 per cubic millimeter 4108.
2o If the patient has received heparin in the last three days 4104, the intensivist is 21 further prompted to look for signs of thrombosis, or blood clotting 4110.
If the patient 1 shows signs of thrombosis, the intensivist is notified by the system that the patient is likely 2 to have HIT. Accordingly, the intensivist is prompted to stop administering heparin and 3 flush any drug administration equipment that would contain heparin traces.
The 4 intensivist is also provided instructions by the system to treat a patient still requiring anticoagulation treatment with alternate drugs and methods 4112.
6 Where the patient does not show signs of thrombosis 4110, the intensivist is 7 prompted to check for heparin resistance 4114. Signs of heparin resistance include 8 inability to hold aPTT though heparin doses have been increase. If the patient shows signs 9 of heparin resistance, the intensivist is prompted to consider stopping heparin treatment l0 and to consider treating a patient still requiring anticoagulation treatment with alternate 11 drugs and methods 4116. If the patient does not show signs of heparin resistance, the 12 intensivist is notified by the system that the patient possibly has HIT.
The intensivist is 13 accordingly prompted to continue monitoring for thrombosis, consider infection or other 14 drugs that cause throbocytopenia, and to consider stopping heparin therapy if the platelet count drops below 50,000 per cubic millimeter 4118.
16 Video Visitation 17 Referring to Figure 44, a video visitation system according to an alternate 18 embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The video visitation system allows 9 Remote Visitation Participants (RVPs) at remote terminals 4202, 4204, 4206 to participate 2o in a video/audio conferencing session with a Local Visitation Participants) (LVPs) at a 21 patient site 4240 under supervision of a conferencing workstation 4230.
RVPs include, 22 but are not limited to, family members or other concerned parties. LVPs include, but are 23 not limited to, patients, nurses, doctors, family members or other concerned parties.
24 RVPs can see and converse with LVPs. RVPs can control the camera in a patient's room/residence (e.g. zoom, left, right, and up.) LVPs can converse with RVPs in a 26 patient's room/residence. LVPs can see and converse with RVPs at the video/audio 27 conferencing workstation located locally to the patient's room/residence (e.g. the hospital 28 ward the patient resides in).
29 RVPs will attempt to initiate or join a video/audio conference from a remote 3o terminal 4202, 4204, 4206 via an internet/intranet network 4210. Upon an attempt to enter 3 ~ the video/audio conference 4220, the RVP will be authenticated to conf'mm identity and 32 subsequent remote visitation privileges.

1 The rationale underlying the video visitation system is primarily the ability to 2 allow family members the capability to "virtually visit" other sick family members when a 3 physical visit to a patient's location is not possible and/or desirable. The "virtual visit"
4 further allows the possibility to see and speak with health care professionals regarding a patient's care or related subjects without having to be physically located at the health care 6 professional's location.
7 Results 8 The structure of the present invention and its efficacy have yielded striking results 9 in practice. In a research setting, deployment of certain rudimentary aspects of the present to the invention designed to experimentally test the approach described and developed in 11 detail above, yielded unprecedented improvements in clinical and economic outcomes:
12 50% improvement in severity adjusted mortality, 40% improvement in clinical 13 complication rates, 30% improvement in ICU length of stay, and 30%
improvement in 14 overall ICU cost of care.
A system and method of remote monitoring of ICU's and other healthcare locations 16 has been shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other variations of the 17 present invention are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as 18 disclosed. For example, one can envision different ratios of command center/remote 19 location to ICU's, other decision support algorithms that would be used by intensivists, other types of remote monitoring of not only ICU's but other types of hospital functions as 21 well as industrial functions where critical expertise is in limited supply but where that 22 expertise must be applied to ongoing processes. In such cases a system such as that 23 described can be employed to monitor processes and to provide standardized interventions 24 across a number of geographically dispersed locations and operations.

Claims (26)

CLAIMS:

1. A system for providing expert critical care simultaneously to a plurality of geographically dispersed intensive care units (ICUs) from a remote location, the system comprising:
a network;
a plurality of geographically dispersed ICUs comprising means for monitoring patient data elements from a patient and means for transmitting the monitored patient data elements to a remote command center by the network;

the remote command center connected to the network and comprising:

a database, wherein the database comprises stored patient data elements relating to the patient;

a computerized patient care management system connected to a workstation, wherein the computerized patient care management system is adapted for:

receiving the monitored patient data elements from the plurality of geographically dispersed ICUs;

storing the monitored patient data elements in the database;

applying a rules engine to at least two patient data elements stored in the database; and monitoring the medical condition in the patients and utilizing the output from the rules engine to determine if intervention is warranted; and wherein the monitoring and intervention for individual patients in the plurality of geographically dispersed ICUs occurs 24 hours per day 7 days per week.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the at least two patient data elements comprises a physiological data element of the patient and another of the at least two patient data elements comprises a clinical data element of the patient.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the at least two patient data elements comprises a physiological data element of the patient and another of the at least two patient data elements comprises a medication data element of the patient.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the at least two patient data elements comprises a physiological data element of the patient and another of the at least two patient data elements comprises laboratory data element of the patient.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the at least two patient data elements comprises a clinical data element of the patient and another of the at least two patient data elements comprises laboratory data element of the patient.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the at least two patient data elements comprises a physiological data element of the patient and another of the at least two patient data elements comprises a physiological data element of the patient.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein means for monitoring comprises monitoring equipment.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the critical care site further comprises a nurses' station connected to the monitoring equipment and to the remote command center over the network.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the computerized patient care management system further comprises a data server/data warehouse for storing and analyzing data from the remote command center.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the computerized patient care management system is further adapted to:

receive information relating to a medical condition;

apply a decision support algorithm; and provide a response based upon application of the decision support algorithm to the information.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the decision support algorithm comprises a guideline of practice relating to:

Acalculous Cholecystitis, Acute Pancreatitis, Acute Renal Failure Diagnosis, Acute Renal Failure-Management & Treatment, Adrenal Insufficiency, Agitation and Anxiety, Depression & Withdrawal, Aminoglycoside Dosing and Therapeutic Monitoring, an Amphotericin-B Treatment Guidelines, Analgesia, Antibiotic Classification & Costs, Antibiograms, Antibiotic associated Colitis, ARDS:
Hemodynamic Management, ARDS: Steroid Use, ARDS: Ventilator Strategies, Asthma, Bleeding Patient, Bloodstream Infections, Blunt Cardiac Injury, Bradyarrhythmias, Brain Death, Bronchodilator Use in Ventilator Patients, Bronchoscopy & Thoracentesis Guidelines, Candiduria, Cardiogenic Shock, CardioPulmonary Resuscitation Guideline, Catheter Related Septicemia, a Catheter Replacement Strategies, Cervical Cord Injury, Congestive Heart Failure, COPD Exacerbation & Treatment, CXR (Indications), Dealing with Difficult patients and families, Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Dialysis, Diuretic Use, Drug Changes with Renal Dysfunction, Emergency Cardiac Pacing, Endocarditis Diagnosis and Treatment, Endocarditis Prophylaxis, End of Life Decisions, Endotracheal Tubes & Tracheotomy, Ethical Guidelines, Febrile Neutropenia, FUO, Fluid Resuscitation, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Heparin, Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia, Hepatic Encephalopathy, Hepatic Failure, HIV+Patient Infections, Hypercalcemia Diagnosis and Treatment, Hypercalcemia Insulin Treatment, Hyperkalemia: Etiology &
Treatment, Hypematremia: Etiology & Treatment, Hypertensive Crisis, Hypokalemia: Etiology & Treatment, Hyponatremia:
Etiology & Treatment, Hypothermia, Identification of Cervical Cord Injury, Implantable Cardio-defibrillator, Intra-Aortic Balloon Device, Intracerebral Hemorrhage, Latex Allergy, Magnesium Administration, Management of Hypotension, Inotropes, Management of Patients with Ascites, Empiric Antibiotics for Meningitis, Myasthenia Gravis, Myocardial Infarction, Myocardial Infarction with left bundle branch block, Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections, Neuromuscular Blockers, Neuromuscular Complications of Critical Illness, Non-Infectious Causes of Fever, Non-Traumatic Coma, Noninvasive Modes of Ventilation, Nutritional Management, Obstetrical Complications, Oliguria, Open Fractures, Ophthalmic Infections, Organ Procurement Guidelines, PA Catheter Guideline and Troubleshooting, Pancreatitis, Penetrating Abdominal Injury, Penetrating Chest Injury, Penicillin Allergy, Permanent Pacemaker and Indications, Pneumonia Community Acquired, Pneumonia Hospital Acquired, Post-Op Bleeding, Post-Op Hypertension, Post-Op Management of Abdominal Surgery, Post-Op Management of Carotid Surgery, Post-Op Management of Open Heart Surgery, Post-Op Management of Thoracotomy Surgery, Post-Op Myocardial Ischemnia, Cardiac Arrhythmias after Non-Cardiac Surgery, Post-Op Power Weaning, Pressure Ulcers, Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis, Pulmonary Embolism Treatment, Respiratory Isolation, Sedation, Seizure, Status Epilepticus, Stroke, Sub-Arachnoid Hemorrhage, Supra-Ventricular Tachyarrythmia, Supra-Ventricular Tachycardia, Wide Complex QRS Tachycardia, Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, Thrombocytopenia, Thirombolytic Therapy, Transfusion Guidelines, Traumatic Brain Injury, Assessment of Sedation, Sedation, Septic Shock, Bolus Sliding Scale Midazolam, Short Term Sedation Process, Sinusitis, SIRS, Spinal Cord Injury, Steroid Replacement Strategy, Thyroid Disease, Transplant Infection Prophylaxis, Transplant Related Infections, Treatment of Airway Obstruction, Unknown Poisoning, Unstable Angina, Upper GI Bleeding Stress Prophylaxis, Vancomycin, Upper GI Bleeding Non-Variceal, Upper GI Bleeding Variceal, Use of Hematopoietic Growth Factors, Ventilator Weaning, Ventilator Weaning Protocol, Venous Thrombosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis, Ventricular Arrhythmia, Warfarin, Warfarin Dosing, and Wound Healing Strategies.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the computerized patient care management system further comprises order writing software means for providing knowledge-based recommendations and prescriptions for medication based upon the patient data elements.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the computerized patient care management system further comprises knowledge-based vital sign/hemodynamic algorithms.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the critical care site further comprises means for transmitting video and wherein the patient care management system is further adapted to receive video.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the critical care site further comprises means for transmitting audio and wherein the patient care management system is further adapted to receive audio.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the computerized patient care management system further comprises knowledge-based ventilatory algorithms.

17. A method for providing expert critical care simultaneously to a plurality of geographically dispersed intensive care units (ICUs) from a remote location comprising:

monitoring patient data elements of patients in a plurality of geographically dispersed ICUs;

communicating over a network the monitored patient data elements to a remote command center, the remote command center comprising a database and a workstation;

storing the monitored patient data elements in the database, wherein the database comprises stored patient data elements;

applying a rules engine to at least two patient data elements stored in the database to monitor the medical condition in the patients; and utilizing the output from the rules engine to determine if intervention is warranted; and wherein the monitoring and determining if intervention is warranted for individual patients occurs 24 hours per day 7 days per week.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising consulting a decision support algorithm selected from the group consisting of Acalculous Cholecystitis, Acute Pancreatitis, Acute Renal Failure Diagnosis, Acute Renal Failure-Management & Treatment, Adrenal Insufficiency, Agitation and Anxiety, Depression & Withdrawal, Aminoglycoside Dosing and Therapeutic Monitoring, an Amphotericin-B Treatment Guidelines, Analgesia, Antibiotic Classification & Costs, Antibiograms, Antibiotic associated Colitis, ARDS: Hemodynamic Management, ARDS: Steroid Use, ARDS: Ventilator Strategies, Asthma, Bleeding Patient, Bloodstream Infections, Blunt Cardiac Injury, Bradyarrhythmias, Brain Death, Bronchodilator Use in Ventilator Patients, Bronchoscopy & Thoracentesis Guidelines, Candiduria, Cardiogenic Shock, CardioPulmonary Resuscitation Guideline, Catheter Related Septicemia, a Catheter Replacement Strategies, Cervical Cord Injury, Congestive Heart Failure, COPD Exacerbation & Treatment, CXR
(Indications), Dealing with Difficult patients and families, Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Dialysis, Diuretic Use, Drug Changes with Renal Dysfunction, Emergency Cardiac Pacing, Endocarditis Diagnosis and Treatment, Endocarditis Prophylaxis, End of Life Decisions, Endotracheal Tubes &
Tracheotomy, Ethical Guidelines, Febrile Neutropenia, FUO, Fluid Resuscitation, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Heparin, Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia, Hepatic Encephalopathy, Hepatic Failure, HIV +Patient Infections, Hypercalcemia Diagnosis and Treatment, Hypercalcemia Insulin Treatment, Hyperkalemia: Etiology & Treatment, Hypernatremia: Etiology & Treatment, Hypertensive Crisis, Hypokalemia: Etiology &
Treatment, Hyponatremia: Etiology & Treatment, Hypothermia, Identification of Cervical Cord Injury, Implantable Cardio-defibrillator, Intra-Aortic Balloon Device, Intracerebral Hemorrhage, Latex Allergy, Magnesium Administration, Management of Hypotension, Inotropes, Management of Patients with Ascites, Empiric Antibiotics for Meningitis, Myasthenia Gravis, Myocardial Infarction, Myocardial Infarction with left bundle branch block, Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections, Neuromuscular Blockers, Neuromuscular Complications of Critical Illness, Non-Infectious Causes of Fever, Non-Traumatic Coma, Noninvasive Modes of Ventilation, Nutritional Management, Obstetrical Complications, Oliguria, Open Fractures, Ophthalmic Infections, Organ Procurement Guidelines, PA Catheter Guideline and Troubleshooting, Pancreatitis, Penetrating Abdominal Injury, Penetrating Chest Injury, Penicillin Allergy, Permanent Pacemaker and Indications, Pneumonia Community Acquired, Pneumonia Hospital Acquired, Post-Op Bleeding, Post-Op Hypertension, Post-Op Management of Abdominal Surgery, Post-Op Management of Carotid Surgery, Post-Op Management of Open Heart Surgery, Post-Op Management of Thoracotomy Surgery, Post-Op Myocardial Ischemia, Cardiac Arrhythmias after Non-Cardiac Surgery, Post-Op Power Weaning, Pressure Ulcers, Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis, Pulmonary Embolism Treatment, Respiratory Isolation, Sedation, Seizure, Status Epilepticus, Stroke, Sub-Arachnoid Hemorrhage, Supra-Ventricular Tachyarrythmia, Supra-Ventricular Tachycardia, Wide Complex QRS Tachycardia, Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, Thrombocytopenia, Thrombolytic Therapy, Transfusion Guidelines, Traumatic Brain Injury, Assessment of Sedation, Sedation, Septic Shock, Bolus Sliding Scale Midazolam, Short Term Sedation Process, Sinusitis, SIRS, Spinal Cord Injury, Steroid Replacement Strategy, Thyroid Disease, Transplant Infection Prophylaxis, Transplant Related Infections, Treatment of Airway Obstruction, Unknown Poisoning, Unstable Angina, Upper GI Bleeding Stress Prophylaxis, Vancomycin, Upper GI Bleeding Non-Variceal, Upper GI Bleeding Variceal, Use of Hematopoietic Growth Factors, Ventilator Weaning, Ventilator Weaning Protocol, Venous Thrombosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis, Ventricular Arrhythmia, Warfarin, Warfarin Dosing, and Wound Healing Strategies.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

storing data from the remote command center in a data server/data warehouse;

analyzing the data from the command center; and providing results of the analysis over a second network to the remote command center.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising transmitting video from the critical care site via the network to the remote command center.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein applying a rules engine to at least two patient data elements stored in the database to monitor the medical condition in the patients comprises applying a rules engine to a physiological measure and a clinical data element of the patient.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein applying a rules engine to at least two patient data elements stored in the database to monitor the medical condition in the patients comprises applying a rules engine to a physiological data element of the patient and to a medication data element of the patient.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein applying a rules engine to at least two patient data elements stored in the database to monitor the medical condition in the patients comprises applying a rules engine to a physiological data element of the patient and a laboratory data element of the patient.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein applying a rules engine to at least two patient data elements stored in the database to monitor the medical condition in the patients comprises applying a rules engine to a clinical data element of the patient and a laboratory data element of the patient.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein applying a rules engine to at least two patient data elements stored in the database to monitor the medical condition in the patients comprises applying a rules engine to two physiological data elements of the patient.

26. The method of claim 17, further comprising transmitting audio from the ICU via the network to the remote command center.