An object-oriented framework for predictive models in intensive care units

Abstract

When used in conjunction with patterns, class libraries, and components, objectoriented application frameworks can significantly increase software quality and reduce development effort. Frameworks are a kind of domain-specific model whose structure can reuse existing patterns. In the field of medical applications, one of the important trends is the move towards frameworks describing different situations. Frameworks in medicine entails capturing, storing, retrieving, transmitting and manipulating patient-specific health care related data, including clinical, administrative, and biographical data. Using predictive methods in Intensive Care Units is a standard procedure to determine a measure of disease severity, based on current physiologic measurements, age and previous health condition. These situations can be described by reusing existing models and patterns, and building new structures based on flexible issues. In this paper, we present a Java object-oriented framework developed for modelling predictive methods in Intensive Care Units. We also briefly discuss future work, which will include a formal specification as part of the framework’s documentation.