Framework and architecture for the management of event-condition-action (ECA) rule-based clinical protocols

Computer-based support for the incorporation of clinical practice guidelines and protocols into daily practice has recently attracted a lot of research interest within the healthcare informatics area. The aim is not only to provide support for the flexible specification and execution of clinical guidelines or protocols but also the dynamic management of these guidelines or protocols. This paper presents a framework and architecture for the management of clinical protocols whose specification and execution models are based on the event-condition-action (ECA) rule paradigm.