Re: [Paddlewise] Hypothermia Expert System

In a message dated 4/24/2002 9:55:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
knapph_at_maine.rr.com writes:


> One thing to think about is the purpose of the ES. Will this system be one
> to give the probability of having hypothermia given a set of conditions,
> will it be one to determine whether a person has hypothermia and suggest the
> proper treatment, or something else?
> 
My original posting for this thread did say that this was an academic 
exercise -- was worried and checked it -- and, in fact, we are, in fact, 
using ExSys as our program. We have a rule-based system which we see as a 
diagnostic assist to back up a First Responder or EMT when encountering a 
hypothermia victim.  We had a few glitches in it, but we think it's going to 
work.  We brief it for the class (and the Prof, Steve Knode), in 8+45, so I 
really hope it works: I mention Steve by name because my guess is that Knapp 
knows who he is.)

Setting this up is more work than we'd thought.  We decomposed a JAMA 
hypothermia protocol --- which turns out to be a German protocol, too! --- 
and drew up a decision tree.  Then we loaded it, using a total of ten rules.  
If it works and if there are no objections from my teammates, I'll try to 
figure out how to make it available for PaddleWisers --- with a note that 
this is only a drill, and not implied to be medically usable.  

We see the *real* ES to be easily handled by a rugged PDA --- waterproofed or 
bagged --- and could serve as a checklist or diagnostic director for 
wilderness responders to a hypothermia case.

Many thanks for the responses on this.  I've got some personal interests in 
hypothermia prevention and diagnosis, and would like to see a more *expert* 
expert system developed.  Appreciate all the ideas.

Jack Martin


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************