Abstract:
A computer implemented system facilities the submission of clinical events date to a reviewing agency by prompting for date needed to authorize the appropriateness of the event. The system directs an appropriate submission to authorize the event. The system further stores the patient clinical event data and presents the date for review. The system confirms that the clinical event is appropriate by referring to the input data and predetermined validation rules.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM  
         [0001]    This application claims priority to a U.S. Provisional patent application filed on Nov. 7, 2000, entitled “UMsource Software,” designating Peter Stangel as the inventor.  
         FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention related to data processing systems. Particularly, the invention relates to a clinical care utilization management system.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0003]    Clinical care rendered by physicians and other health care providers is reviewed for utilization management, quality of care, and other review or analytic functions by reviewing entities charges with these functions. Utilization management is usually performed by a health maintenance organization (HMO) or other managed care organization (MCO).  
           [0004]    When a healthcare provider (HCP) examines and treats a patient, the HCP records the examination in a clinical chart. Under industry custom, designated personnel at the health care site extract clinical information from the chart and transmit the clinical data to the reviewing entity by telephone or fax.  
           [0005]    At the reviewing organization, personnel manually input this clinical data into an electronic form with one or more text fields. The information is then reviewed by one or more professional personnel to determine appropriateness of care. Determinations of the appropriateness of care are then communicated back to the health care site by phone or fax (negative determinations also require a formal letter of denial).  
           [0006]    Moreover, because the clinical information has been electronically input into text fields without any format, the reviewing organization lacks the ability to electronically evaluate this data for appropriateness of care. Determinations are made manually. Determinations are often inconsistent for similar clinical situations by the same reviewer or among multiple reviewers. There is almost no way to systematically evaluate this data among multiple clinical episodes to see patterns of care.  
           [0007]    As may be gathered from the description above, the process for submitting and reviewing clinical records is cumbersome and time consuming. Both the HCP and the MCO dedicate personnel and other resources to the sole task of managing and processing clinical data. Accordingly, there is a need for a system that facilitates the generation and processing of clinical records, which provides sufficient data to the MCO, and which facilitate the speedy processing and authorizing of the records.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The invention provides for a centralized system for the submission and automatic processing of clinical care transactions over the Internet. The MCO contracts with a utilization management organization that employs the invention to facilitate the utilization management functions. The MCO agrees on the utilization criteria that are automatically applied by the utilization system. Health care sites are granted access to the utilization system. The health care site employs the utilization system to submit clinical transaction data. The utilization system automatically process the data and determines whether the transaction is authorized by following the agreed upon utilization criteria. The date is then further submitted to the MCO for record keeping and further review if the transaction has not been automatically authorized.  
           [0009]    In one embodiment, the invention provides a computer implemented system for generating a medical diagnosis clinical record for submission to a MCO. The system includes a data entry interface, which facilitates the entry of data corresponding to a clinical event corresponding to the clinical diagnosis for that event. The system also includes at least one selection interface, which is adapted to facilitate the selection of at least one diagnosis. Further, the system includes a navigation module, which facilitates the identification of fields for which data should be entered. The navigation module facilitating the identification of the fields in response to the selection from the selection interface. A verification module determines the authorization level for the diagnosis by referring to at least the data in the directed-to fields. The verification module determines the authorization level prior to the submission of the record to a processing module. The invention further facilitates the submission of clinical data over Intranets and other proprietary networks.  
           [0010]    In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a utilization management system that authorizes a diagnosis by directing the user to enter all of the required data so as to generate a sufficient clinical encounter record to evaluate the record for appropriateness of care. The system also automatically evaluates the entered data to determine an authorization level. The system includes a user interface to facilitate the submission of data to the system. The user interface is associated with a forms database that is used in generating the user screens by which data is entered. The user interface is also coupled to a navigation module that guides the user interaction with the user screens. The navigation module is associated with a selection database that provided information as to the data selections that should be available to a user. The user interface is also coupled to a verification module that is used to determine a level of authorization and criteria compliance based on the entered data. The verification module is associated with a criteria database that stores criteria rules, which are evaluated to determine an authorization level.  
           [0011]    In another embodiment, the system facilitates the generation of encounter records that are adapted for automatic authorization processing by a remote system. The encounter records include all the data required for determining an authorization level. The encounter records further provide the data is an objective format that can be evaluated without the aid of a human operator.  
           [0012]    In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a two step method for entering medical diagnosis data. The method includes entering a criteria into the system. The criteria corresponds to a rule required for authorizing a diagnosis. The criteria is also associated with at least one finding. Finally, the method includes entering a finding into the system.  
           [0013]    The present invention also provides an interface for entering data for the authorization of a diagnosis. The interface includes a first portion, which is adapted to facilitate the selection of a system group. The interface includes a second portion, which is adapted to facilitate the display and entry of data for the diagnosis. A display area is included within the second portion, which is displaying parameter and corresponding findings for the selected system group from the first portion. Finally, the interface includes a data entry area, which is facilitating at least the selection of findings and parameters for the system group.  
           [0014]    The invention also provides a system where date is entered directly during the clinical event on hand-held devices that are coupled to a remote database by a network interface so as to create a clinical record of the encounter and replace paper clinical charting. In one embodiment, the hand-held devices are coupled to the utilization system by a mobile network connection.  
           [0015]    The present invention also provides an interface for the authorization of clinical care including hospital admission, acuity of level of care for inpatient hospital days, appropriateness of emergency room visits, and preauthorization of elective medical services and hospitalizations.  
           [0016]    In another embodiment, a system in accordance with the invention is implemented as a web based system for submitting requests for automatic authorization. A health care facility employs a web navigation interface, such as a browser, to connect to the web based system. Pages are provided to facilitate the entry of encounter date. The data is processed to provide an authorization indication before the pages are submitted.  
         APPENDIX  
         [0017]    The specification includes an appendix, Appendix A, which illustrates a hierarchal arrangement for an Elements Tree structure of the invention. The appendix is intended to serve as an integral part of the disclosure, which is provided in this specification.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 illustrates the logical arrangement of modules in a utilization management system in accordance with the invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 illustrates an Inpatient Census screen;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3A illustrates an Admission Clinical screen;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3B illustrates a chart section of the Admission Clinical screen of FIG. 3A;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3C is a continuation illustration of the chart section of FIG. 3B;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4A illustrates a Clinical screen;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4B illustrates a chart section of the Clinical screen of FIG. 4A;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4C is a continuation illustration of the chart section of FIG. 4B;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5A illustrates a Patient Discharge screen;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5B illustrates a chart section of the Patient Discharge screen of FIG. 5A;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 5C illustrates the Patient Discharge screen when post discharge treatment is selected for the patient; and  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for entering diagnosis data in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0030]    The structure and operation of a utilization system in accordance with the invention will now be discussed with reference to illustrations of an exemplary utilization system. First, the structure and operation of system modules will be discussed with reference to an illustration of a system arrangement. Next, the structure and operation of the system&#39;s data entry interfaces will be discussed with reference to illustrations of user screens from a web based utilization system. Finally, the operation of the system when submitting encounter data is illustrated with reference to user screens and a flow diagram of user interaction steps.  
         [0031]    The present discussion refers to data entry operations in the context of in the context of user interaction with the system. Such data entry operations are not limited to the entry of a textual or numerical values in an entry box but also include the selection of data from a pop-up list, the selection of a radio button from a set of buttons, the acquiescence of a user with default data that is automatically filled by the system, and a check indication in a check box. As may be appreciated, other forms of providing data are available and are intended to be encompassed within the present discussion when referring to data entry.  
         [0032]    The present discussion refers to a “user” interacting with the system. The term “user” is intended to encompass an individual member of an organization that interacts with the system, several members of the organization interacting with overlapping portions of the system, or members of different organizations interacting with various portions of the system. Moreover, as may be appreciated, a “user” includes a computer or otherwise automated system that submits data to a processing system of the invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 1 illustrates the logical arrangement of modules in a utilization system in accordance with the invention. The modules include a user interface  20 , a navigation module  21 , and a verification module  22 . The user interface  20  generates the user screens with which the user interacts to submit or review data. The user interface is preferably coupled to a communication link (not shown) that receives user commands and data from a network connection. In one embodiment, the communication link is an Internet connection. In another embodiment, the communication link is a local area network connection. In yet another embodiment, the communication link is a mobile, wireless, remote Internet link. In yet another embodiment, the communication link is a proprietary link.  
         [0034]    The user interface  20  preferably facilitates the generation of user screen in accordance with predetermined screen templates and controls. The predetermined templates and controls are advantageously stored in a forms database  25 . The user interface  20  is further associated with a patient data storage module  23 , which stores patient data that was entered and submitted to the system. The patient data storage module  23  also stores general data relating to health care providers, health care facilities, and MCOs. The user interface  20  is operatively coupled to the verification module  22  and to the navigation module  21 .  
         [0035]    The navigation module  21  is employed to guide the user in entering data by modifying fields of the user screen in response to the user entering data that affects the navigation path available to the user. Preferably, the navigation module  21  communicates with the user interface  20  to identify when the user enters data that affects the navigation path or otherwise entails a modification of available controls. The navigation module  21  is associated with a selection database  24 . The selection database  24  preferably includes data that identifies members of each hierarchal level and the logical relation between levels. Such arrangement of members and relations is illustrated in Appendix A. The example arrangement of Appendix A is for a four tier division. However, as may be appreciated, different number of tiers are used in other implementations of the invention.  
         [0036]    The verification module  22  examines the input data to determine whether an authorization status or a criteria status should change in response to the input data. The verification module  22  is preferably associated with a criteria database  26 . The criteria database  26  stores rules corresponding to criteria, which are applied to determine whether a clinical event should be authorized. The criteria are preferably in the form of Boolean rules that refer to data fields of the user screens. In one embodiment, the data for each field of the user screen is provided to the verification module  22  after the user modifies the data in the particular field. In another embodiment, selected fields of the user screen are designated to trigger the submission of data to the verification module  22 .  
         [0037]    In operation, the system provides user screens to the user by employing the user interface  20 . The user screens include textual displays and data entry controls that facilitate the submission of data. Some of the screens presented to the user are static screens, whereby the same screen is provided to the user regardless of the data entered by the user. Other screens are dynamic screens, whereby the selections and data entry interfaces depend on previously entered data. In one embodiment, the dynamic screens are generated when the user interface  20  employs data from the navigation module  21  in combination with controls and form templates from the forms database  25 .  
         [0038]    The navigation module  21  preferably receives selections from the user interface  20 . The navigation module  21  responds to predetermined user selections by querying the selection database  24 . In one embodiment, a user selection of a criteria from a criteria pop-up list (discussed below) is received by the navigation module  21 , which responds by searching for the associated element, group, parameter, and findings. In one embodiment, when the user selects a criteria, the navigation module  21  queries the database  24  for the corresponding criteria attributes for which data is required. The elements database  24  returns selections that are available to the user as a result of the newly entered data. The navigation module  21  communicates with the user interface  20  to modify the available selections in the user screen to conform to the changed navigation path. In one embodiment, an element, a group, a parameter, and a finding are automatically set in response to the selection of a criteria from a criteria pop-up list (discussed below).  
         [0039]    The verification module  22  receives user data and determines whether the data is sufficient to authorize the clinical event or to satisfy a particular criteria of the clinical event. The rules in the criteria database  26  preferably include both rules that examine data from a single field and rules that examine data from several fields. Rules are advantageously structured to progressively determine, first, when a particular criteria is satisfied and, second, when a displayed diagnosis is authorized. Advantageously, rules are progressively applied to other diagnosis of the clinical event, when the particular displayed diagnosis is not authorized. Preferably, the rules employ Boolean functions and evaluations to define when a criterion or diagnosis is satisfied. In one embodiment, data items are combined by using Boolean operators such as AND, OR, and NOT. When the user data is sufficient to authorize a diagnosis or satisfy a criteria, the system provides a corresponding indication to the user. The indication is preferably provided prior to the user submitting the record to the utilization system. Accordingly, the verification operation is local to the user. In one embodiment, the verification is automatically prompted when the user navigates from one screen of the system to another and screen data has changed.  
         [0040]    Preferably, the authorization criteria are set by the agency for which the record is intended. The rules are advantageously set by selecting from several sets of rules or by independently creating rule sets. As may be appreciated, different agencies may desire different rules. Thus, a user that is a customer of an agency is provided access to the system and is authorized in accordance with that agency&#39;s rules. The rules that are used for criteria and authorization evaluation are advantageously hidden from the user and are only available to authorized personal such as the MCO or the utilization system administrator.  
         [0041]    The rule application portion of the utilization system preferably includes rules for criteria and rules for authorization levels. Criteria rules are used to evaluate whether the entered data satisfies a particular criteria that is applicable to the overall authorization evaluation. The diagnosis authorization rules advantageously refer to the results of criteria evaluations to determine the result and authorization level. The criteria rules evaluate the completeness of data in addition to evaluating whether the data satisfies a criteria. As may be appreciated, there can be more than one criteria for a given diagnosis authorization. However, at times, a diagnosis is only associated with a single criteria. The criteria preferably correspond to major symptoms as well as to the diagnosis.  
         [0042]    In one embodiment, the criteria rule results are indicated by a message in a dialog box of the entry form. In another embodiment, the result indication is by an alert window that is provided when invalid data is entered.  
         [0043]    In one implementation of the utilization system, the modules and databases are part of a database application written on a 4 TH  DIMENSION, ACI database and with HTML and JAVA Script interfaces. In another implementation, the database application is a front-end for a mainframe database. Preferably, the database application is SSL enabled to provide for transmission security over the Internet. The database includes proprietary encryption for transmission over its proprietary network.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 2 illustrates an Inpatient Census screen  29  of a utilization system in accordance with the invention. A facility identification portion of the screen includes a facility type pop-up list  30  to select a facility type. The facility identification portion also includes a facility pop-up list  31  to identify a facility from facilities in the network of the selected facility type. The Inpatient Census screen  29  also includes navigation buttons  32  for navigating to an Admit Clinical Screen, a Clinical Screen, and a Discharge Plan Screen. A New Admit button  27  facilitates navigation to an initial administrative patient registration screen (Admission Face screen). Finally, the Inpatient Census screen  29  includes a display box  33  that displays patient record data for the selected facility for the current date. In one embodiment, the displayed patients are all patients belonging to the MCO that are hospitalized in the facility. In another embodiment, the displayed data is for all inpatients at the facility. The display box  33  preferably includes, for each patient, the last acute day authorized, the number of days not authorized, last date that clinical data was input, admission authorization number, and discharge plan with corresponding discharge plan authorization status.  
         [0045]    In operation, the user selects a facility type from the facility type pop-up list  30 . The user then selects a facility from the facility pop-up list  31 . The facility name is displayed in the corresponding display box  28 . Patient data for patients that are in the facility during the default period are displayed in the display box  33 . The user selects a patient record from a line of the display box  33 . The user then selects one of the navigation buttons  32  to prompt the corresponding user screen for the selected patient record.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 2B illustrates an Admission Face screen of a utilization system of the invention. The Admission Face screen is used to enter patient data for a newly admitted patient. Such data includes ID number, name, gender, date of birth, admission date, attending doctor name, ICD-9 code, admission diagnosis, and any other relevant patient information.  
         [0047]    In general, when a patient is admitted to a facility, an administrative admission record is created in the Admission Face screen. An Admission Clinical screen is then employed to submit data for creating and to review an admission clinical record. A daily inpatient clinical record is created and reviewed by employing a Clinical screen. Finally, a discharge planning record is created and reviewed at any time after admission, but preferably early in the hospitalization.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 3A illustrates the Admission Clinical screen  34  of a utilization system in accordance with the invention. The Admission Clinical screen  34  is used to input the clinical data from the patient&#39;s admission exam. This includes historical data including prior surgeries, illnesses, along with the last hospitalizations and emergency room visits for these surgeries and illnesses. For example, historical data includes prior operations, prior diagnosis, prior treatments, history of symptoms, and other physiological data. The Admission Clinical screen includes a header area for displaying patient information. The header area includes a patient name  38 , a patient identification number  39 , a patient date of birth and gender  37 , any discharge plans  35 , an admission diagnosis  36 , and an admission date  40 . The admission diagnosis  36  is preferably set after the patient admission diagnosis is entered in the Admission Face screen of FIG. 2A. Also, the discharge plan  35  is preferably set only after the discharge plan is entered by employing the Discharge Plan screen (discussed below).  
         [0049]    A second portion of the Admission Clinical screen is used to select a desired diagnosis for authorization and to select associated criteria. The second portion includes a chart date pop-up list  41 , a Patient Location pop-up list  42 , a Diagnosis pop-up list  43 , a Criteria pop-up list  44 , a Level Of Care display box  47 , an Authorization display box  46  and an Additional Information Request pop-up list  45 . The additional information request pop-up list  45  is preferably used to prompt the user for non-diagnosis related information that is manually reviewed either at the submitting HCP or by the MCO. The Diagnosis pop-up list  43  facilitates the selection of a desired diagnosis. In the context of the Admission Clinical screen  34 , the entered diagnosis is an admission diagnosis. The Criteria pop-up list  44  is used to select a criteria that is associated with the desired diagnosis. The Authorization Status display  46  provides the authorization level granted in accordance with the selected criteria. The level of care display box indicates the level of care corresponding to any authorization. In one embodiment, the Criteria pop-up list  44  are preceded by a status designator such as “Needed,” “Not Met,” and “Met.” The status designation changes in accordance with the data entered for the criteria. For example, when a criteria is fist selected, a “Needed” designation is provided. After all data is entered for the criteria, the designation changes to one of “Not Met” or “Met.” 
         [0050]    A third portion of the Admission Clinical screen  34  is employed to enter diagnosis data in a structured manner. The third portion includes several interlinked pop-up lists. An Element pop-up list  48  is employed to select a clinical element for the encounter. In the Admission Clinical screen  34 , the selected element is set to History, corresponding to patient historical information. A System Group pop-up list  51  is provided to select a system group of the selected element. The system group is preferably a subgroup of the element selected from the Element pop-up list. In some context, the system group is the body system corresponding to the medical encounter. A Parameter pop-up list  52  is provided to select a parameter of the selected system group. A Finding pop-up list  53  is used to select one or more findings corresponding to the selected parameter. In the Admission Clinical screen further the parameters do not require a finding. The Admission Clinical screen includes a past history pop-up list  49  to select a medical history event type. The screen also includes A last event pop-up list  50  to select an event. Preferably, the historical data selections are from widely accepted diagnosis and procedure codes. History surgeries and diagnosis, ICD-9 code parameters and CPT-4 code parameters do not require a finding.  
         [0051]    In operation, the uses selects either Surgeries or Past Diagnosis from the Past History (Past Hx) pop-up list  49 . In one embodiment, the Surgeries are grouped, in the System/Group pop-up lists, by CPT-4 Codes. In another embodiment, the Diagnoses are grouped, in the System/Group pop-up lists, by ICD-9 Codes. Both sets of codes are issued by the AMA. Selecting a CPT-4 code or ICD-9 code in the System/Group pop-up list, enters the code with its attendant surgery or illness.  
         [0052]    Each input Surgery or Diagnosis is concatenated with the last hospital admission episode and/or last emergency room visit, by making selections in the Last Event pop list  50 , which offers a choice of Last Hospital Admit or Last ER Visit. Interval since the last event is input in the Duration field and Time Unit pop-up list  63 . These last events are concatenated onto the Past Surgery or Past Diagnosis and are displayed in the Current Element scroll box  54 .  
         [0053]    The fourth portion of the Admission Clinical screen  34  includes a display portion and a data entry portion. The display portion is used to display entered parameters for the selected element in the Element pop-up list  48 . For this purpose, a Current Element scroll box  54  displays the parameter data along with multiple associated findings. The entry portion includes a Parameter display box  55  for displaying the selected parameter. The Parameter display box  55  is also used as an entry box is for submitting a parameter without using the pop-up list for History and CPT-4 codes and ICD-9 codes or in preparation for submitting a new parameter. A Finding display box  57  is provided for displaying the selected finding data.  
         [0054]    For most findings, selecting a finding in the Finding pop-up list  53  enters the selected Parameter with its finding on a line of the Current Element scroll box (as well as the appropriate Specific Element scroll box in FIGS. 3B or  3 C). Additional findings for a Parameter are concatenated on the Parameter line after the initial finding.  
         [0055]    For findings requiring numerical values (such as lab tests, vital signs), the Parameter and finding are displayed in the Current Element scroll box  54  only after a numeral value has been entered (see below).  
         [0056]    Each input findings is also displayed in entry box  61  and entry box  62  and is cumulatively added to the Findings pop-up list  59 . Findings not requiring numerical value (such as lab tests, vital signs) are displayed in entry box  62 , while entry box  61  displays the finding instance of the Parameter (E.g. Finding — 1, Finding — 2). For findings requiring numerical values, the finding is displayed in entry box  61  and the clinical value is entered in entry box  62 . For example, if entry box  61  displays “hemoglobin,” the user would enter “16” in entry box  62  if the patient&#39;s lab tests showed a hemoglobin of 16.  
         [0057]    Selecting one of the findings in the Findings pop-up list  59  allows modification of, or deletion of, the finding in the Current Element Scroll box. In the Admission Clinical screen  34 , the Finding display box  57  is used to display the last event, which was selected from the corresponding Finding pop-up list  50 . A pair of entry boxes  61  is used to display the selected parameter and finding, respectively. The entry boxes  61  are also used to marginally enter data for a finding. Entry boxes  61 ,  62  are also used to enter custom findings not listed in the finding pop-up list  53 .  
         [0058]    A Time pop-up list  60  is provided to select a time for the event reported. Finally, Duration and Frequency entry boxes  63 ,  64  are provided for submitting a duration or a frequency for the reported parameter under the Clinical Element Symptoms. An Interval entry box  65  is provided to enter an interval for the reported event. The system preferably responds to the data entry by evaluating the admission diagnosis authorization level. The evaluation is preferably by applying rules to the entered historical data. Accordingly, the user is provided with an indication of appropriateness for the selected admission diagnosis. Such indication is useful for both treatment of the patient and for submitting clinical records to the MCO.  
         [0059]    A Chart Date Navigation pop-up list  41  displays all the dates of the patient&#39;s current hospitalization and enables the user to navigate to any of these dates to review date for the selected date. Data may be modified for any date except the admission date once the admission has been authorized. The Bed Location pop-up list  42  displays a selection of hospital locations, each which may require a different set of criteria to authorize care for the location. e.g. The standard authorization level for a patient in the hospital is “acute level of care,” however the authorization for a patient in an intensive care unit would be “intensive level of care.” 
         [0060]    An Acuity Check button  67  is provided on the lower portion of the screen to prompt the verifying of data if the clinical event did not receive authorization during data input. Preferably, the system performs rule checks for the criteria associated with the selected diagnosis to determine authorization in a programmatic manner as data is being input. The acuity check preformed is advantageously more comprehensive than the automatic evaluations in response to data entry in fields of the screen. A Submit button  66  is also available for submitting the screen data to the system and navigating back to the Hospital Census screen. Finally, a Reset button  68  is available for resetting the screen selections and entries.  
         [0061]    Preferably, the rule associated with the selected criteria is applied to the entered data after the user enters data in all required fields associated with the rule. The authorization status and the status of the criteria are modified in accordance with the result of the rule application. As may be appreciated, because an admission authorization sometimes depends on more than one criteria, a criteria can be met while the authorization status remains as pending status.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 4A illustrates the Clinical screen  70  of the utilization system. The Clinical screen  70  includes the same header portion as the Admission Clinical screen  34 . The Clinical screen  70  also includes the same second portion as the Admission Clinical screen  34 . The third portion of the Clinical screen  70  is different from that of the Admission Clinical screen  34 . In the Clinical screen, the selection of a criteria from the Criteria pop-up list  44  prompts the navigation of the Element, System Group, and Parameter pop-up lists  48 ,  51 , and  52  to the applicable data for the selected criteria. The user then selects a finding from the Finding pop-up list  53 . If data is required for a finding, the user enters the data in the entry portion of the screen. The entry boxes a first box that is used as a placeholder when data requires only a single entry field, and a second box to enter data. The findings available in the findings pop-up list  59  of the data entry portion are the findings that have been previously entered for the parameter. Furthermore, in the data entry portion Finding pop-up list  59 , each finding is preferably followed by the associated data for the finding. In the illustrated example, the severity indication from the radio control box is provided following the finding “wheezing.” Preferably, when the “Exam” element is selected from the Element pop-up list  48 , all possible findings for the particular exam are displayed in the Finding pop-up list  59  of the display portion, whether selected or not, along with any entered values.  
         [0063]    The display portion also includes a check box  58  to delete the selected finding from the findings associated with the parameter in the Element scroll box  54 . In one embodiment, the data entry portion includes a Severity Selection radio-type control  62 . In other embodiments, the data entry portion includes other control boxes as may be required in accordance with the data type assigned to the selected finding. Preferably, selecting an element from the Element pop-up list  48  brings up the element data already entered in the current element scroll box  54 . The parameter or finding are advantageously not displayed until minimum data is entered. Accordingly, findings that require a value, in addition to a selection, are not displayed in the current element scroll box  54  until the corresponding value is entered.  
         [0064]    [0064]FIGS. 3B and 3C and FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate chart notes portions  80  of the Admission Clinical screen  34  and of the Clinical screen  70 , respectively. The illustrated portions  80  are preferably visible to the user when the screen is scrolled down by employing scrollbar controls of a browsing interface. The chart notes portion  80  includes a separate scrollbox display for each element available to the user in the corresponding screen. Each display scrollbox includes the data that was entered for the corresponding element. Preferably, each display scrollbox includes a control whereby when the user selects a data line from the scrollbox, the corresponding data is made available in the entry portion of the corresponding screen and is displayed in the current element scrollbox  54 . Accordingly, the user is able to browse the data that was entered for each element and to modify the entered data by selecting the data display line in the chart notes portion  80 .  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 5 illustrates a Discharge screen  71 . The Discharge screen  71  is used to set patient discharge actions and other post-encounter actions. The disposition screen  71  includes a first portion that displays patient information. The first portion is the same as the first portion of the Clinical screen  70 . A second portion of the screen includes a Disposition Location pop-up list  73 . The disposition location is the facility or service that the patient requires after discharge. The simplest and most common discharge plan is disposition to home with no post discharge support services. However, many patients require various support services to maintain wellness post discharge at home, or may be discharged to another inpatient facility that provides services at a lower level of care.  
         [0066]    A third portion of the screen includes an Item Type pop-up list  74 , and a collection of follow up action check boxes  79 . The Item Type pop-up list  74  includes a DME entry to select Durable Medical Equipment. The Item pop-up list  75  is used to select an item the item type previously selected. Such Item selections include equipment and treatment plans, depending on the applicable discharge plan. A fourth portion of the screen is used to provide vendor information for the selected item. The fourth portion includes a Vendor Location pop-up list  85 , and a Vendor pop-up list  84 . A scroll box  72  for entering anticipated clinical status on discharge is also provided. In one embodiment, the selected item and findings for the discharge status conform to a discharge rule. The disposition data in the Disposition pop-up list  72  is preferably provided as part of the header on the Clinical Screen to and on the Admission Clinical screens  34 . Preferably, once a vendor is selected, the display area  76  updates with the entered item data. The Discharge screen  71  is also used to enter a discharge plan for a patient.  
         [0067]    In operation, the user selects a disposition location for the patient. The location is home, or one of several other post treatment facilities. After selecting a location, the user is presented with corresponding pop-up list entries. For example, when a facility is selected as the location, available post-discharge treatments are provided in the Item pop-up list  74 . In one embodiment, the utilization system automatically reviews the discharge plan to ensure that the plan is appropriate to the patient&#39;s level of functioning and expected needs at discharge. In another embodiment, the discharge plan is submitted to the MCO for manual review.  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 5B illustrates a chart area of the Discharge screen. As discussed above with reference to FIGS. 3B, 3C,  4 B, and  4 C, the chart area is a bottom portion of the corresponding screen, which includes individual display scrollboxes for elements of the screen. In the context of the Discharge screen, the chart area  92  includes scrollboxes for Discharge Plans, Clinical Status, Clinical Needs, Exam, and Rx.  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 5C illustrates a Discharge screen  71  with data selections for a post-discharge treatment facility. The selected disposition from the Disposition Location control  73  is Skilled Nursing. The item selected for the disposition is of Needs PRI submission. The vendor location of Nyack is selected. The vendor of Sunrise Nursing Home is selected from the vendor pop-up list. As discussed above, the vendor details are displayed after the vendor is selected from the vendor pop-up list.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating the process for submitting medical encounter data in the Clinical screen  70 . The user starts by selecting a diagnosis from the diagnosis pop-up list  43  (step  95 ). The user has two options in submitting encounter data to the system. A first option is a two-step entry procedure. First, the user selects a criteria from the criteria pop-up list  44  (step  96 ). The criteria selection results in the automatic population of the element, system group, and parameter pop-up lists  48 ,  51 , and  52 . The user then selects from the Finding pop-up list  53  (step  97 ).  
         [0071]    Alternatively, the user employs the second entry option, which is to progress through the hierarchal pop-up lists in the third portion of the Clinical screen  70 . The user selects an element from the Elements pop-up list  48  (step  98 ). The system searches for groups that are associated with the element. Preferably, the navigation module  21  searches the selection database  24  for associated groups. The navigation module  21  then identifies the groups that should be made available in the System Group pop-up list  51 . The user then selects a system group from the System Group pop-up list  51 . The system then employs the navigation module  21  to identify the parameters associated with the selected system group. The associated parameters are then made available for user selection from the Parameter pop-up list  52 . The user selects a parameter from the Parameter pop-up list  52  (step  100 ). The system then employs the navigation module  21  to identify the data range and format for findings that are available for the parameter. The findings, including the associated data ranges and formats are employed to provide the user with a selection and entry interface for findings. The user then selects a finding from the Findings pop-up list  53  (step  97 ).  
         [0072]    The system then determines if additional data is required for the finding (step  101 ). If additional data is required for the selected finding, the user employs the provided interface to enter the data (step  102 ). For example, when the needed data is a severity indication, the user selects a severity from a radio control button.  
         [0073]    After receiving all the required data for the selected finding, the system adds the selected finding to the findings associated with the selected parameter. The system determines if the parameter is a new parameter that is not in the parameter list for the current element (step  103 ). If the parameter is not a new parameter, the finding and any associated data is added to the corresponding line of the parameter list (step  104 ). If the parameter is a new parameter, the parameter is added as a new line to the parameter list, along with the corresponding finding and any associated data (step  105 ). In one embodiment, the selected finding, along with its associated data, if any, is added to a display scrollbox where all findings for a parameter are provided on one line of the display box. The system then preferably stores the user entries and proceeds in accordance with user selections to authorize the record or format the record for submission to an authorization agency.  
         [0074]    In another embodiment, the data is directly entered by a doctor or a treating nurse. The data is entered by employing a mobile personal data appliance such as a PALM computing device. The mobile device interacts with the server and specially configured user screens to enter patient and treatment data, as discussed above. Therefore, there is no need to use paper data recording that are later entered into the utilization server by an operator.  
         [0075]    Preferably, the screens of the utilization system are web page screens. The controls are common web page controls, as is known. The data is preferably provided to the authorization agency as part of digital reporting and records. In one embodiment, a text file is transmitted to the agency on a weekly basis.  
         [0076]    In other embodiments, the MCO employs the system only for gathering data from clients without the automatic evaluation of authorization status.  
         [0077]    Although the present invention was discussed in terms of certain preferred embodiments, the description is not limited to such embodiments. Rather, the invention includes other embodiments including those apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the preceding description but should be ascertained by reference to the claims that follow.  
       Appendix A  
       [0078]    [0078]                                                 Elements Tree                System/               Element   Group   Parameter   Finding               Symptoms   General   Consitu-   loss of appetite               tional   night fevers                   night sweats                   weight loss               Other   cyanosis                   diaphoresis                   fever                   palor                   tremulousness           HEENT   Vision   blind                   blind left eye                   blind right eye                   blurred                   diploplia               Headache   aura                   episodic                   persistent                   steady                   throbbing               Pain   sinuses                   throat           Cardio-   Pain   Char-burning           Pulmonary       Char-crushing                   Char-pleuritic                   Char-pressing                   Char-sticking                   Loc-back                   Loc-left chest                   Loc-lower jaw                   Loc-neck                   Loc-right chest                   Loc-substernal                   Onset-at rest                   Onset-on exertion                   Onset-while sleeping                   Rad-back                   Rad-left arm                   Rad-lower jaw                   Rad-neck                   relieved by antacid                   relieved by nitroglc               Dyspnea   1 flight                   2 flight                   at rest                   minimal exertion                   None                   sudden onset               Orthopnea   1 pillow                   2 pillow               Sleep   apneic epsiodes                   daytime somnolence                   snoring               Cyanosis   diffuse                   fingernails                   lips               Syncope   unwitnessed                   witnessed               Cough   dry                   unable to raise sput                   with clear sputum                   with colored sputum                   with rusty sputum               Swelling   abdominal                   ankle                   arms                   diffuse                   hands                   legs           Gastro-   Nausea   continuous           intestinal       post prandial               Vomiting   bilious                   daily episodes                   post prandial                   projectile               Pain   Char-colicky                   Char-intermittent                   Char-steady                   Loc-diffuse                   Loc-LLQ                   Loc-LUQ                   Loc-periumbilical                   Loc-RLQ                   Loc-RUQ                   none                   Onset-2 hrs post pra                   Onset-half hr post p                   Onset-nocturnal                   Rad-back                   Rad-LLQ                   Rad-LUQ                   Rad-RLQ                   Rad-RUQ               Diarrhea   blood streaked                   bloody                   daily episodes                   with mucous               Constipation   last bm (days ago)                   with narrow bore sto               Hematemesis   blood streaked                   bloody                   coffee grounds               Rectal   melena               Bleeding   on toilet paper                   permeates stool                   positive occult bloo               Swelling   abdominal                   ankle                   arms                   diffuse                   hands                   legs               Dysphagia   liquids                   solids               Jaundice   non pruritic                   pruritic                   with clay stools           Genito-   Urinary   clots in urine           Urinary       dysuria                   hematuria                   nocturia                   polyuria               Gyn   LMP (mos)                   menorrhagia                   metrorrhagia                   purulent discharge           Musculo-   Pain   Loc-ankles           skeletal       Loc-elbows                   Loc-feet                   Loc-hands                   Loc-hips                   Loc-knees                   Loc-left                   Loc-lower back                   Loc-neck                   Loc-right                   Loc-shoulders                   Loc-upper back                   Loc-wrists                   Onset-continuous                   Onset-on motion                   Rad-buttocks                   Rad-legs               Trauma   abrasion                   bruised                   fracture closed                   fracture open                   laceration                   swelling               Weak-   left foot               ness   left hand                   left side                   LLE                   LUE                   right foot                   right hand                   right side                   RLE                   RUE           Neuro-   Weak-   left foot           Psych   ness   left hand                   left side                   LLE                   LUE                   right foot                   right hand                   right side                   RLE                   RUE               Paral-   left side               ysis   LLE                   LUE                   right side                   RLE                   RUE               Other   aphasia               Impairment   chokes on swallowing                   diploplia                   dysarthria                   transient visual los               Mood   anxious                   danger to others                   depressed                   normal                   suicidal               Halluci-   aural               nations   visual       Exam   General   Vital   acute pain               Signs   diaphoresis               Observa-   labored respirations               tion   no acute distress                   normal respirations                   pallor           HEENT   Observa-   post pharynx obstruc               tion   pupils constricted                   pupils dilated                   pupils unequal               Palpa-   skull depression               tion           Neck   Observa-   rigid               tion   supple                   venous distention               Auscul-   carotid bruit               tation   normal           Heart   Auscul-   diastolic murmur               tation   irregular rhythm                   normal                   regular rhythm                   rub                   systolic murmur           Chest   Observa-   flail chest               tion   labored                   normal respiration                   retractions intercos                   retractions supraste                   with accessory muscl               Palpa-   fremitus               tion               Auscul-   bibasilar               tation   diffuse                   left                   one third from base                   rales                   right                   ronchi                   rub                   wheezing               Percus-   dullness               sion   left                   right                   tympany           Abdomen   Palpa-   Diffuse               tion   guarding                   LLQ                   LUQ                   normal                   point tenderness RLQ                   rebound                   rigidity                   RLQ                   RUQ                   tenderness               Auscul-   bs absent               tation   bs high pitched                   bs present                   normal bowel sounds           Rectal   Palpa-   bloody stool               tion   clay stool                   mass                   melena                   normal           Pelvic   Palpa-   adnexal tenderness               tion   cervical tenderness           Extrem-   Observa-   hip external flexion           ities   tion   induration                   inflammation                   ulcer               Palpa-   ankle edema               tion   calf tenderness                   cold                   pretibial edema           Neuro-   Observa-   agitated           psych   tion   comatose                   confused                   depressed                   obtunded                   oriented × 3                   rousable           Meds IV   Vaso-   aramine               pressors   dolbutamine                   dopamine               Anti-   aminoglycoside               biotics   amphotericin                   cephalosporin                   vancomycin                   zozin               Steroids   decadron                   solucortef                   solumedrol               Narcotics   morphine           Orders   Activity   ambulation                   bed rest                   oob in chair               Diet   clear liquids                   full liquids                   low carbohydrate                   low salt                   npo                   pureed                   regular               Pulmonary   chest physiotherapy               Rx   mini-nebs                   nasal O2                   venti-mask               Nursing   ambulate pt                   I &amp; O                   turn pt q2h           Indwelling   Naso-   gravity           Objects   gastric   low Gumco suction               Tube               Endotra-   nasal               cheal   oral               Tube               Chest   air seal               Tube   wall suction               Urinary               Catheter           Venti-   Settings   fiO2           lator       peak pres                   rate                   tidal volume               Mode   assist contol                   IMV               Special   CPAP                   CPAP           Meds           Oral       Lab   Chem-   Lytes   Sodium           istry       Potassium                   Chlorides                   HCO3               Renal   BUN                   Creat               Cardiac   Troponinl                   CPK                   CPK-MB               Liver   Bilirubin                   Alk Ptase                   SGOT                   SGPT           Hema-   WBC   Wbc           tology       Bands                   Platelets               Hgb-   Hgb               Hct   Hct           ABG&#39;S   ABGs   Ph                   PO2                   PCO2                   HCO3           Urine       Spec Grav               Urinal-   Wbc               ysis   Rbc           Micro-           biology           Stool           Toxic-           ology           Other       Diagnostics   X-Rays   Skull   fracture                   normal               Chest   atelectasis lobar                   atelectasis segmenta                   atelectasis subsegme                   cardiomegaly                   infiltrate one lobe                   infiltrates multi lo                   left lower lobe atel                   mediatinal shift                   normal                   pneumothorax                   pulmonary edema                   vascular congestion               Abdomen   air fluid levels                   dilated small bowel                   normal                   pneumoperitoneum               Hip   fracture femoral nec                   normal               Tibia   fracture closed               Fibula   fracture open                   normal           CAT   Head   acute cva           Scans       mass                   midline shift                   normal                   subarachnoid bleed                   subdural bleed               Chest   atelectasis lobar                   atelectasis segmenta                   enlarged hilum                   infiltrate multi lob                   infiltrate one lobe                   mass                   mediastinal shift                   normal                   pulmopnary edema                   vascular congestion               Abdomen   abcess                   appendicitis                   ascites                   dilated small bowel                   diverticulitis                   normal                   pneumoperitoneum           MRI&#39;S   Head   acute cva                   mass                   midline shift                   normal                   subarachnoid bleed                   subdural bleed           Ultra-   Gall-   dilated com bile duc           sound   bladder   normal                   sludge                   stones               Cardiac   ejection fraction                   pericardial effusion                   thrombus                   valve vegetation           Radio-   Lung   high prob embolism           nucleide   Vent   low prob embolism               Perf   medium prob embolism               Scan   normal           Endoscopy           Pulmonary           Function           Cardiac           Studies           Pathology