Medical logic modules based on Arden Syntax and hospital information systems

Abstract

The Arden Syntax was presented in 1990 as the standard description syntax for modular health knowledge bases, which is represented in independent units referred to as medical logic modules (MLMs). Each MLM is triggered from an event that occurs in a medical database and then retrieves its input data from the database. The MLM event and input data definitions are institution specific. That causes a major problem when connecting the MLMs and local medical databases generally. This paper suggests standardizing the MLM event and input data definitions using a code system accepted internationally. The local database supplying the input data to the MLMs instead of the data retrieval via MLMs from the local database using two methods are also suggested.

Key Words:

• Arden Syntax
• Medical logic modules
• Medical knowledge base
• Standardization