Protocol system
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A computer-based protocol system is a paradigm providing a set of tools which allow health care providers access to current guidelines which they can apply in practice.{{Cite book |last=Coiera |first=E. |title=Guide to Health Informatics |publisher=Hodder Education |year=2003 |location=Great Britain}} Studies have shown that protocols can aid in optimising patient care.{{Cite journal |last1=Vissers |first1=M. |title=Effects of a supportive protocol processing system (ProtoVIEW) on clinical behaviour of residents in the Accident and Emergency department |last2=Biert |first2=J. |last3=van der Liden |first3=C. |last4=Hasman |first4=A. |journal=Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine |year=1996 |volume=49 |pages=177–184 |doi=10.1016/0169-2607(95)01714-3 |pmid=8735024 |issue=2}} There are two types of protocol systems: passive and active.
In a healthcare setting, a protocol, also called a medical guideline, is a set of instructions which describe a process to be followed to investigate a particular set of findings in a patient, or the method which should be followed to control a certain disease.
Protocol systems
; Passive
Passive protocol systems are a source of information which health care providers have the freedom to choose to consult or not; they are not intrinsically incorporated into the healthcare process. The purpose of a passive protocol system is to give healthcare providers access to information which may remind healthcare providers of steps during patient care which may otherwise be forgotten or changed.
;Active
Active protocol systems are specific guidelines for healthcare providers to follow. They are a central way which healthcare is delivered. Examples of active protocol systems include trigger-automated order entry systems and appointment scheduling. Active protocol systems may provide an explanation function which offers background information, definitions, risks, and the rationale that supports specific recommendations.
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