Diagnostic process optimisation with evolutionary programming

In paediatric cardiology, a database and its supporting information system are indispensable in order to conduct more extensive and detailed investigations. Diagnostic decisions during the diagnostic process in congenital heart disease (CHD) must be supported by a suitable decision support system. In the majority of children with CHD, the diagnosis should be made, if possible, before the complete diagnostic procedure has been accomplished, with maximal information (probability of correct diagnosis = 1.00), minimal risk for the patient and the doctor (the minimal needed number of steps, especially for highly invasive methods) and minimal cost-benefit ratio. We developed a tool called DIAPRO (DIAgnostic PRocess Optimisation) that supports all activities concerned with the management of the diagnostic process and the management of the medical records database, but its main strength is in the decision-making support concerning the optimisation of the diagnostic process. It enables the paediatrician to perform cardiological examinations in a maximally rationalised manner.