Development of a Prototype Decision Support System to Manage the Air ForceAlternative Care Program

摘要

Demonstrated the feasibility of developing a decision support system (DSS) formanaging the Air Force Alternative Care Program (ACP). A prototype DSS, Alternative Care Assistant, was developed to demonstrate the potential for automating the current manual systems. First, the ACP process was thoroughly examined through the analysis of several data sources. Next, a flow diagram with a supporting narrative was prepared as an information requirements analysis. Accuracy was verified by 11 representatives from different USAF MAJCOMs. Finally, the Alternative Care Assistant was developed using Clipper, and was field tested at USAF Medical Center Scott, Scott AFB, Illinois. The prototype DSS has a user-friendly interface and the capability to perform all the ACP's clerical tasks and some managerial tasks such as breakeven analysis. Databases for Common Procedure Terminology (CPT) codes and allowable costs are included in the prototype. These databases were extracted from the Office of Civilian Health and Medical Programs of the Uniformed Services. This prototype operates on any IBM compatible microcomputer with a hard disk drive and MS-DOS Version 3.2 or above. Keywords: Medical services, Data base, Health care, Computer programs, Theses. (SDW)