A Computerised Asthma Management System

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide has recently implemented a computerised system for both acute and chronic management of asthma patients. Doctors are using portable pen-based computers in the ward (and soon also in the Emergency Department) to record all necessary patient clinical information. A number of decision support functions are provided such as automated reminders and patient recalls, an asthma severity index which can be linked to management guidelines, and clinical alerts based on patient history and examination, investigation results, or drug interactions. The system also has extensive information retrieval and reporting capabilities such as a patient clinical summary, discharge and outpatient summary letters, and patient information packs including a personalised asthma management action plan.