A Knowledge Based Search Tool for Performance Measures in Health Care Systems

Beyan O. D., BAYKAL N.

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SYSTEMS, vol.36, no.1, pp.201-221, 2012 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 36 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2012
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s10916-010-9459-2
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SYSTEMS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.201-221
  • Keywords: Performance measurement, Health care performance, Indicator search tool, Performance measurement ontology, QUALITY, FRAMEWORK, MANAGEMENT, PROTEGE, HOSPITALS
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Performance measurement is vital for improving the health care systems. However, we are still far from having accepted performance measurement models. Researchers and developers are seeking comparable performance indicators. We developed an intelligent search tool to identify appropriate measures for specific requirements by matching diverse care settings. We reviewed the literature and analyzed 229 performance measurement studies published after 2000. These studies are evaluated with an original theoretical framework and stored in the database. A semantic network is designed for representing domain knowledge and supporting reasoning. We have applied knowledge based decision support techniques to cope with uncertainty problems. As a result we designed a tool which simplifies the performance indicator search process and provides most relevant indicators by employing knowledge based systems.