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Medical AlgorithmA medical algorithm is any computation, formula, survey, or look-up table, useful in healthcare. Medical algorithms are a decision-tree approach to healthcare treatment (i.e., if symptoms A, B, and C are evident, then use treatment X). The intended purpose of medical algorithms is to improve and standardize decisions made in the delivery of medical care. Medical algorithms assist in standardizing selection and application of treatment regimens, with algorithm automation intended to reduce potential introduction of errors. Typical medical algorithms are paper questionanaires or checklists where only one form is necessary, which often leads to over-simplification, or a cumbersome process with many decision-tree points where errors, sometimes life-threatening, can be introduced. A wealth of medical information exists in the form of published medical algorithms. These algorithms range from simple calculations to complex outcome predictions. Most clinicians use only a small subset routinely. Computerized algorithms can provide timely clinical decision support, improve adherence to evidence-based guidelines, and be a resource for education and research. Centralized or automated medical algorithms, conceived by leading medical experts, enable health authorities to ensure delivery of standardized information about treatment protocols to a wide range of clinical care providers. Computations obtained from medical algorithms should be compared with, and tempered by, clinical knowledge and physician judgment. See Also External Links
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