The long-term aim of the INFORM Project is to develop, evaluate and implement a new generation of Information Systems for hospital High Dependency Environments (HDE). Such environments include Intensive Care Units (ICU), Neonatal Units, Burns Units, Operating and Recovery Rooms, and other specialised areas. The INFORM System will integrate Decision Support with on-line, off-line and observed patient data and, in addition, will incorporate and integrate unit management features.

A Functional Specification has been produced in the Exploratory Phase of the Project, and this has been achieved by dividing the Project into the following four main components:

conceptual modelling of the HDE;

evaluation of existing HDE Information Systems;

development of a novel software architecture using a Knowledge-Based Systems (KBS) methodology, and based on a critical review of KBS applied to the HDE;

monitoring of appropriate leading-edge technological developments, and of current and emerging standards

Activities relating to both clinical patient management and unit management have been modelled using a modern structured analysis methodology; process models are described with dataflow diagrams, and data models with entity relationship diagrams.

Key and difficult areas in clinical decision making have been identified; an important aspect of INFORM is the integration of clinical Decision Support for these areas into the Information System through a layered architecture. The lower layers are concerned with monitoring and alarming and the higher levels with patient assessment and therapy planning.

It was apparent from the evaluation of current systems in HDEs that these are not designed in such a developed and integrated way as to yield their full potential. The user interface is also crucial to a system's success. The INFORM System must reflect the needs and working practices of its users, and the highest priority will be given to these aspects throughout its design, development / prototyping, and implementation phases.