GB2493500A - Clinical data processing - Google Patents

Abstract

Clinical data (e.g. patient records) processing apparatus includes an input device, a memory device, an output device 18 and a processor device. The memory device includes a patient record assembly 21 including one or more individual patient data collections 22. The or each individual patient data collection 22 includes an individual patient identifier item and one or more event/condition items, the or each event/condition item relating to a medical, surgical or treatment event or condition. The memory device includes a query assembly 29 which includes one or more user selectable query data collections 28. The or each query data collection 28 includes a query identifier and one or more risk factor comparators, the or each comparator relating to one or more of the medical, surgical or treatment events or conditions. The memory device includes a query result data collection 34 which comprises the or one query identifier relating to an in use user selected query data collection 28 and either no, or one or more individual patient identifier items. The processor device includes output processing means 36 for causing the output device 18 to output the query result data collection 34. The processor device includes query processing means 38 for generating the query result data collection 34, the query processing means 38 being arranged so that the individual patient identifier items comprising the query result data collection 34 are the individual patient identifier items of those individual patient data collections 22 having event/condition items which match or satisfy the or every comparator of the user selected query data collection 28.

Description

Clinical Data Processing Apparatus The present invention relates to clinical data processing apparatus, and a method of processing clinical data.

There are a number of issues which relate to the management and processing of clinical data, such as individual patient health data records.

Traditionally in the UK, individual patient health data records are held at a local health service provider such as a local surgery, and the individual patient records are transferred when required between the local provider and a regional or specialist health service provider such as a hospital. The records at the local level can be in different formats, at different levels of detail. They may be held in different databases and/or in different locations, and the records for an individual patient can have accumulated over many years in a relatively haphazard way. The provision of a national patient records database has been an obiective for some years, but has been frustrated by the sheer size of the task and the costs involved, and concerns over confidentiality.

Time constraints mean that clinical practitioners are rarely able to review individual patient historic data records until a serious problem arises. If the clinical practitioner does review the records, it is often in an arbitrary way, based on personal knowledge and experience. When a serious problem does arise, often a practitioner will review the clinical data records and realise that the information relating to the problem was available but had not been identified or acted upon, one reason being knowledge deficiencies regarding a specialist area. If the information is identified, the resulting actions taken by the practitioner again tend to be based on the personal experience and clinical knowledge of the individual practitioner concerned. The formulation of preventative treatment strategies at an individual patient level is time consuming, and in practice, rarely able to be undertaken except in those cases in which a problem has already arisen.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided clinical data processing apparatus, the apparatus including: an input device, a memory device, an output device and a processor device, the memory device including a patient record assembly, the assembly including one or more individual patient data collections, the or each individual patient data collection including an individual patient identifier item and one or more event/condition items, the or each event/condition item relating to a medical, surgical or treatment event or condition, the memory device including a query assembly, the query assembly including one or more user selectable query data collections, the or each query data collection including a query identifier and one or more risk factor comparators, the or each comparator relating to one or more of the medical, surgical or treatment events or conditions, the memory device including a query result data collection, the query result data collection comprising the or one query identifier relating to an in use user selected query data collection and either no, or one or more individual patient identifier items, the processor device including output processing means for causing the output device to output the query result data collection, the processor device including query processing means for generating the query result data collection, the query processing means being arranged so that the individual patient identifier items comprising the query result data collection are the individual patient identifier items of those individual patient data collections having event/condition items which match or satisfy the or every comparator of the user selected query data collection.

Possibly, the processor device includes interrogation means, for interrogating one or more native data collections. The or each native data collection may comprise the memory device, or may comprise a remote memory device. The interrogation means may be arranged to search for items in the or each native data collection corresponding with the items of the or one or more individual patient data collection(s), and may store the items found as one or more individual patient data collections in the patient record assembly.

Possibly, the apparatus includes a query selector.

Possibly, the or each query data collection includes a disease category item. The disease category item may be one of a predetermined number of disease category items. Possibly, the query selector includes a user selectable disease category switch, which may permit selection between different disease category items. Possibly, the query processing means are arranged so that if a user selects the or one of the disease categories via the switch, the or each user selected query data collection includes the user selected disease category item and the query result data collection only includes those individual patient data collections having a disease category item which matches the disease category item selected by the user.

The disease category item may be any one of the group containing atrial fibrillation, coronary head disease, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes, stroke, primary prevention.

Possibly, the or each query data collection includes a priority category item. The priority category item may be one of a predetermined number of priority category items. Possibly, the query selector includes a user selectable priority category switch, which may selection between different priority category items. Possibly, the query processing means are arranged so that if a user selects the or one of the priority categories via the switch, the or each user selected query data collection includes the user selected priority category item and the query result data collection only includes those individual patient data collections having a priority category item which matches the priority category item selected by the user.

The priority category item may be any one of the group containing first or high priority, second or medium priority, third or low priority.

Possibly, the or each query data collection includes an action item, which may be a predetermined action suggestion specific to the respective query data collection.

The event/condition items may include any one or combination out of the group containing atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes, stroke, thyroid, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, haemorrhagic stroke, chronic kidney disease, expanded chronic kidney disease, primary prevention, height, weight, waist, albumin/creatinine ratio, blood pressure, body mass index, creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), glucose level, serum tryglycerides, cholesterol level, HbAlc, HDL, cholesterol/HDL ratio, glucose tolerance, prescription drug type, prescription drug level, prescription drug exception report, health checks, disease risks, hospital admittance, diabetes foot care.

The or each comparator may comprise an arithmetic and/or logical expression.

The output device may comprise a display device. The output processing means may include display processing means for causing the display device to display one or more of the individual patient data collection(s), query data collection(s) and query result data collection or selections thereof.

The apparatus may include a dashboard, which may be displayable on the display device, and which may comprise one or more indicators. The or each indicator may be associated with one patient identifier item and one query identifier item. The or each indicator may be movable between an annunciation condition and a non-annunciation condition. The indicator may move to the annunciation condition when the associated patient identifier item and query identifier item comprise part of the query result data collection.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clinical data processing method, the method including: providing an input device, a memory device, an output device and a processor device, the memory device including a patient record assembly, the assembly including one or more individual patient data collections, the or each individual patient data collection including an individual patient identifier item and one or more event/condition items, the or each event/condition item relating to a medical, surgical or treatment event or condition, the memory device including a query assembly, the query assembly including one or more user selectable one or more query data collections, the or each query data collection including a query identifier and one or more risk factor comparators, the or each comparator relating to one or more of the medical, surgical or treatment events or conditions, the memory device including a query result data collection, the query result data collection comprising the or one query identifier relating to and in use user selected query data collection and either no, or one or more associated individual patient identifier items, the processor device including output processing means and query processing means, the method including the output processing means causing the output device to output the query result data collection, the method including the query processing means generating the query result data collection so that the associated individual patient identifier items comprising the query result data collection are the individual patient identifier items of those individual patient data collections having event/condition items which match or satisfy the or every comparator of the user selected query data collection.

Possibly, the apparatus includes interrogation means. Possibly, the method includes the interrogation means interrogating one or more native data collections. Possibly, the method includes the interrogation means searching for items in the or each native data collection corresponding with the items of the or one or more of the individual patient data collection(s), and may include storing the items found as one or more individual patient data collections in the patient record assembly.

Possibly, the method includes a user selecting the or one of the query data collection(s). Possibly, the method includes providing a query selector, which permits the user to select the or one of the query data collection(s).

Possibly, the or each query data collection includes a disease category item. The disease category item may be one of a predetermined number of disease category items. Possibly, the query selector includes a user selectable disease category switch, which may permit selection between different disease category items. Possibly, the method includes a user selecting the or one of the disease categories via the switch, whereby the user selected query data collection includes the user selected disease category item and the query result data collection only includes those individual patient data collections having a disease category item which matches the disease category item selected by the user.

Possibly, the or each query data collection includes a priority category item. The priority category item may be one of a predetermined number of priority category items. Possibly, the query selector includes a user selectable priority category switch which may permit selection between different priority category items. Possibly, the method includes a user selecting the or one of the priority categories via the switch, whereby the user selected query data collection includes the user selected priority category item and the query result data collection only includes those individual patient data collections having a priority category item which matches the priority category item selected by the user.

The method may include providing a dashboard, which may comprise one or more indicators. The or each indicator may be associated with one patient identifier item and one query identifier item. The or each indicator may be movable between an annunciation condition and a non-annunciation condition. The indicator may move to the annunciation condition when the associated patient identifier item and query identifier item comprise part of the query result data collection.

Possibly, the method includes providing clinical data processing apparatus, which may include any of the features described in any of the previous paragraphs. Possibly, the method includes any of the steps described in the previous paragraphs.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clinical data processing computer program, the program comprising computer program code means which, when loaded into a processor device, causes the processor device to perform as part of the above described apparatus or method.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program as described above, embodied on a computer readable medium, which, when loaded into a processor device causes the processor device to perform as part of the above described apparatus or method.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a schematic view of clinical data processing apparatus; Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a memory device; Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a processor device; Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a method of processing clinical data; Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a patient data collection; Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a query data collection: Fig. 7 is a view of a first level report option screen; Fig. 8 is a view of a second level report option screen; Fig. 9 is a view of a third level report option screen; Fig. 10 is a view of another third level report option screen; Fig. 11 is a view of output in the form of a dashboard; and Fig. 12 is a view of output in the form of a printed letter.

Figs. 1 to 3 show clinical data processing apparatus 10, the apparatus comprising apparatus components 11 including a display device 12 in the form of a display screen, an input device 14 in the form of a keyboard, a memory device 16, output devices 12, 18 and a processor device 20. The output device 12 comprises the display screen. The output device 18 is in the form of a printer 74.

In the example shown, the apparatus 10 comprises a part of a network 64 which comprises a number of network components 65 including a server computer 68, a plurality of local computers 66 and the printer 74. A disc drive 76 is linked to one of the local computers 66. Signal communication means 78 are provided between the network components 65 which could comprise any suitable means such as cabling and/or wireless connections. The network 64 could be linked to a communications network 70 which could comprise, for example, the internet, and could communicate thereby with remote computers 72.

Although in the example shown the apparatus components 11 are distributed across different components 65 of the network 64, in another example the apparatus 10 could comprise a single standalone computer, or could comprise a local computer 66 of a network 64.

The memory device 16 includes: a patient record assembly 21 comprising a plurality of individual patient data collections 22, each of which is displayable on the display device 12; a query assembly 29 comprising a plurality of query data collections 28, each of which is displayable on the display device 12; and a query result data collection 34 which is displayable on the display device 12.

The memory device 16 could be in any convenient form, and could be in the form of a memory chip, flash memory, a memory stick, a disk or diskette, or a hard drive disk or a part thereof.

The processor device 20 includes: output processing means 36 for causing the display device 12 and/or the output device 18 to display and/or output the individual patient data collections 22, the query data collections 28 and the query result data collection 34 and/or selections thereof; query processing means 38 for generating the query result data collection 34; and interrogation means 40.

The processor device 20 could be in any convenient form, and could be in the form of a microprocessor chip or microprocessor controller. The output processing means 36, the query processing means 38 and the interrogation means 40 could each comprise sets of instructions or code which, when loaded into the processor device 20, cause the processor device to perform as will be described as part of the apparatus 10.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic graphic presentation of one of the individual patient data collections 22. As shown the collection 22 includes a column of field headings 23 each of which relates to the information to be held in a respective field 27, which, at present, is empty. Thus, the patient data collection 22 includes: an individual patient identifier item 24, which in this case is a patient reference number; a plurality of other identifier items 25; and a plurality of event/condition items 26 (not all of which are labelled), the or each event/condition item 26 relating to a medical, surgical or treatment event or condition.

The patient identifier item 24 could be an item which is generated by the clinical data processing apparatus 10, which is different to any pre existing patient identifier such as an NHS patient number. The patient identifier items 24 could therefore be unique to the apparatus 10. The output reports generated by the apparatus 10 could be arranged to display for patient identification purposes only the patient identifier items 24, thus preserving patient confidentiality.

In the example shown, the event/condition items 26 include patient specific information relating to: atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes, stroke, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, haemorrhagic stroke, expanded chronic kidney disease, primary prevention, height, weight, waist, albumin/creatinine ratio, blood pressure, body mass index, creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GER), glucose level, serum tryglycerides, cholesterol level, HbAlc, HDL, chotesterol/HDL ratio, glucose tolerance, prescription drug types and levels, prescription drug exceptions, health checks, disease risks, hospital admittance, diabetes foot care. This list is not an exhaustive list and the event/condition items 26 could include other patient specific information.

The event/condition items 26 could be in any convenient form, and could be for example in a binary form (eg atrial fibrillation -yes/no), or a number value (eg cholesterol -6.2), or an alphanumeric string.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic graphic presentation of an example of one of the query data collections 28. Each query data collection 28 includes: a query identifier 30; a plurality of risk factor comparators 32, the or each comparator 32 relating to one or more of the medical, surgical or treatment events or conditions; a disease category item 42 which is one of a predetermined number of disease category items: a priority category item 46 which is one of a predetermined number of priority category items; and an action item 62, which is a predetermined action suggestion specific to that query data collection 28.

In the example shown, the predetermined disease category items 42 comprise atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes, stroke, primary prevention.

In the example shown, the predetermined priority category items 46 comprise first (or highest) priority, second (or medium) priority, third (or lowest) priority.

Although not fully shown in Fig. 6, the or each comparator 32 couild comprise an arithmetic and/or logical expression. Thus, for example, Comparator 1 is shown as comprising "Known CHD", which is an abbreviated term for an expression which might have the operational effect of "Return patient identifier item if patient data collection includes a positive value for Coronary Heart Disease", which could alternatively be written as "CHD=1 Fig. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of a method of processing clinical data.

In one initial step, the interrogation means 40 is arranged to search in one or more native data collections 80 for items corresponding with the items of the individual patient data collection 22, and then store the items found as an individual patient data collection 22 in the patient record assembly 21.

This step is repeated so that the patient record assembly 21 comprises a plurality of individual patient data collections 22.

As shown in Fig. 2, the or each native data collection 80 could be held on the memory device 16, or alternatively on a remote memory device (not shown). For example, the native data collection 80 could be held on a server or a computer of a GP Surgery. The patient data collections 22 could be held on the same server or computer, or a different server or computer.

In another initial step, and referring to figure 4, one or more query data collections 28 are assembled together to form the query assembly 29.

Referring to Fig 4, the apparatus 10 includes a query selector 96, which includes a disease/priority switch 86, a disease category switch 44, a priority category switch 48 and one or more query data collection switches 92.

These switches are displayed in the form of sequential display screens which are shown in figures 7 to 10. As shown in figure 7, the output processing means 36 causes a first level screen display 82 to be displayed which displays the user selectable disease/priority switch 86. As shown in Figs 4 and 8, following user input 98, the output processing means 36 then causes a second level screen display 88 to be displayed which, depending on the selection made by the user, displays either the disease category switch 44 or the priority category switch 48.

As shown in Figs 4, 9 and 10, again following user input 98, the output processing means 36 then causes a third level screen display 90 to be displayed which displays user selectable query data collection switches 92 which are dependent on the selection made by the user on the second level screen display 88. For example, the query data collection switches 92 could comprise those query data collections 28 including a disease category item 42 which matches the disease category selected by the user at the disease category switch 44, or could comprise those query data collections 28 including a priority category item 46 which matches the priority category selected by the user at the priority category switch 48.

After selection of one or more of the query data collection switches 92, the query processing means 38 applies the selected query data collection(s) 28S (as shown in figure 4) to the individual patient data collections 22 to generate the query result data collection 34. The query result data collection 34 includes: a query identifier 30 which corresponds to the query data collection 28 applied; and either no, or one or more associated individual patient identifier items 24, which are the individual patient identifier items 24 of those individual patient data collections 22 having event/condition items 26 which match or satisfy the or every comparator 32 of the user selected query data collection 28S.

The output processing means 36 then causes the output device 18 to provide the query result data collection 34 in the form of an output 99. The output 99 could be in any suitable form. For example, the query result data collection 34 could be displayed on the display device screen 12 and/or output as a printed report on the printer 74.

Figures 11 and 12 show examples of the query result data collection 34 which have been output.

In Fig. 11, the apparatus 10 includes output 99 in the form of a dashboard 50 which is displayable on the display device 12. The dashboard is in the form of an array, comprising, along a vertical axis 54, a list of the patient identifier items 24, and, along a horizontal axis 52, a list of all of the possible query identifiers 30. The dashboard 50 comprises a plurality of cells 56, each cell 56 including an indicator 58. Thus, each indicator 58 is associated with one patient identifier item 24 and one query identifier item 30.

Each indicator 24 is movable between an annunciation condition and a non-annunciation condition, the two conditions being, for example, visually different. In one example, when moving between the conditions, each indicator 24 could change colour.

Each indicator 58 moves to the annunciation condition when the associated patient identifier item 24 and query identifier item 30 comprise part of the query result data collection 34. In another example, the indicator 58 could be further dependent on the priority category item 46 of the associated query data collection 28. So, for example, priority 1 category items could be indicated by a red indicator 58, priority 2 by a yellow indicator 58 and priority 3 by a green indicator 58, giving the user a simple visual indication of the extent and urgency of the results generated.

Fig 12 shows output 99 in the form of a printed letter 94 which could be generated by the output processing means 36. The letter 94 includes parts of a query data collection 30 comprising a query identifier 30, a disease category item 42, risk factor comparators 32, and an action item 62, and parts of the resulting query result data collection 34 comprising patient identifier items 24.

There is thus provided clinical data processing apparatus 10 which extracts data from one or more native data sources and regularises the data into a standard format. The data is then processed according to standardised queries to permit required standardised actions to be allocated to patients.

The data processing results can be categorised by disease and/or priority to identify patients most at risk.

Advantageously, the query data collections, and in particular the risk factor comparators 32, can be standardised so that data is evaluated according to commonly agreed criteria, or to criteria set by an authorising body, or a regulator, or in accordance with best practice. This removes the aspect of time consuming personal evaluation otherwise necessary by individual clinical practitioners. For example, in the UK, the risk factor comparators 32 could be based on guidelines and standards set by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), the British Medical Association, and/or other appropriate bodies or organisations responsible for setting and/or maintaining clinical standards.

Similarly, the action item(s) specific to each query data collection can be standardised in accordance with recommendations laid down by an authorising body, a regulator, or an insurer, or in accordance with best practice. Again this removes or reduces the personal assessment and evaluation required by individual clinical practitioners.

The query data collections can be readily updated as necessary, and the apparatus re-run on a regular basis, or as necessary.

In particular, the apparatus permits clinical practitioners to easily perform regular checks on their patients' data to ensure that all of the relevant data items on a patient's tile are being considered and nothing relevant is being overlooked. With the increase in medical litigation, the method and apparatus ot the invention provides reassurance that the clinical practitioner is conforming with agreed best practice in the most critical areas. Risk factors can be considered, evaluated and prioritised and priorities set for treatment.

The apparatus of the invention permits the review of patients on more than one disease register when assessing prescribing and treatment profiles.

Furthermore, the apparatus permits analysis of the probable risks ot a patient contracting a disease.

Various other modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The various components of the apparatus could be arranged in any suitable way, and could be arranged differently to the arrangement shown. The event/condition items and the risk factor comparators could be different to those described. The items comprising the individual patient data collections and the query data collections could be different. The number and type of switches could be different. The apparatus could utilise any suitable interrogation means, query processing means and output processing means.

Any of the features or steps shown or described could be combined in any suitable way, within the scope of the overall disclosure of this document.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>Claims 1. Clinical data processing apparatus, the apparatus including an input device, a memory device, an output device and a processor device, the memory device including a patient record assembly, the assembly including one or more individual patient data collections, the or each individual patient data collection including an individual patient identifier item and one or more event/condition items, the or each event/condition item relating to a medical, surgical or treatment event or condition, the memory device including a query assembly, the query assembly including one or more user selectable query data collections, the or each query data collection including a query identifier and one or more risk factor comparators, the or each comparator relating to one or more of the medical, surgical or treatment events or conditions, the memory device i-15 including a query result data collection, the query result data collection comprising the or one query identifier relating to an in use user selected 0 query data collection and either no, or one or more individual patient C) identifier items, the processor device including output processing means for causing the output device to output the query result data collection, the processor device including query processing means for generating the query result data collection, the query processing means being arranged so that the individual patient identifier items comprising the query result data collection are the individual patient identifier items of those individual patient data collections having event/condition items which match or satisfy the or every comparator of the user selected query data collection.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the or each native data collection comprises the memory device, or comprises a remote memory device.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. Apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, in which the processor device includes interrogation means, for interrogating one or more native data collections.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which the interrogation means is arranged to search for items in the or each native data collection corresponding with the items of the or one or more individual patient data collection(s), and stores the items found as one or more individual patient data collections in the patient record assembly.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a query selector.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the or each query data collection includes a disease category item, which is one of a predetermined number of disease category items. C"i-15 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which the query selector includes a user selectable disease category switch, which permits selection between 0 different disease category items. C)8. Apparatus according to claim 7, in which the query processing means are arranged so that if a user selects the or one of the disease category items via the switch, the or each user selected query data collection includes the user selected disease category item and the query result data collection only includes those individual patient data collections having a disease category item which matches the disease category item selected by the user.9. Apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 8, in which the disease category item is any one of the group containing atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes, stroke, primary prevention.10.Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the or each query data collection includes a priority category item, which is one of a predetermined number of priority category items.11.Apparatus according to claim 10, in which the query selector includes a user selectable priority category switch, which permits selection between different priority category items.12.Apparatus according to claim 11, in which the query processing means are arranged so that if a user selects the or one of the priority categories via the switch, the or each user selected query data collection includes the user selected priority category item and the query result data collection only includes those individual patient data collections having a priority category item which matches the priority category item selected by the r-15 user.N-0 13.Apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 12, in which the priority C) category item is any one of the group containing first or high priority, V" second or medium priority, third or low priority.14.Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the or each query data collection includes an action item.15.Apparatus according to claim 14, in which the action item is a predetermined action suggestion specific to the respective query data collection.16.Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the event/condition items include any one or combination out of the group containing atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes, stroke, thyroid, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, haemorrhagic stroke, chronic kidney disease, expanded chronic kidney disease, primary prevention, height, weight, waist, albumin/creatinine ratio, blood pressure, body mass index, creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), glucose level, serum tryglycerides, cholesterol level, HbA1 c, HDL, cholesterol/H DL ratio, glucose tolerance, prescription drug type, prescription drug level, prescription drug exception report, health checks, disease risks, hospital admittance, diabetes foot care.17. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the or each comparator comprises an arithmetic and/or logical expression.18.Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the output device comprises a display device, and the output processing means include display processing means for causing the display device to display one or more of the individual patient data collection(s), query data i-15 collection(s) and query result data collection or selections thereof.N-0 19.Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the C) apparatus includes a dashboard, which may be displayable on the display device.20.Apparatus according to claim 19, in which the dashboard comprises one or more indicators, and the or each indicator may be associated with one patient identifier item and one query identifier item.21.Apparatus according to claim 20, in which the or each indicator is movable between an annunciation condition and a non-annunciation condition.22.Apparatus according to claim 21, in which the indicator moves to the annunciation condition when the associated patient identifier item and query identifier item comprise pad of the query result data collection.23.A clinical data processing method, the method including providing an input device, a memory device, an output device and a processor device, the memory device including a patient record assembly, the assembly including one or more individual patient data collections, the or each individual patient data collection including an individual patient identifier item and one or more event/condition items, the or each event/condition item relating to a medical, surgical or treatment event or condition, the memory device including a query assembly, the query assembly including one or more user selectable one or more query data collections, the or each query data collection including a query identifier and one or more risk factor comparators, the or each comparator relating to one or more of the medical, surgical or treatment events or conditions, the memory device including a query result data collection, the query result data collection comprising the or one query identifier relating to and in use user selected query data collection and either no, or one or more associated individual patient identifier items, the processor device including output processing i-15 means and query processing means, the method including the output processing means causing the output device to output the query result 0 data collection, the method including the query processing means C) generating the query result data collection so that the associated individual patient identifier items comprising the query result data collection are the individual patient identifier items of those individual patient data collections having event/condition items which match or satisfy the or every comparator of the user selected query data collection.24.A method according to claim 23, in which the apparatus includes interrogation means.25.A method according to claim 24, in which the method includes the interrogation means interrogating one or more native data collections.26.A method according to claim 25, in which the method includes the interrogation means searching for items in the or each native data collection corresponding with the items of the or one or more of the individual patient data collection(s), and storing the items found as one or more individual patient data collections in the patient record assembly.27.A method according to any of claims 23 to 26, in which the method includes a user selecting the or one of the query data collection(s).28.A method according to claim 27, in which the method includes providing a query selector, which permits the user to select the or one of the query data collection(s).29.A method according to any of claims 23 to 28, in which the or each query data collection includes a disease category item which is one of a predetermined number of disease category items C" i-15 30.A method according to claim 29, in which the query selector includes a user selectable disease category switch which permits selection between 0 different disease category items. C)31.A method according to claim 30, in which the method includes a user selecting the or one of the disease categories via the switch, whereby the user selected query data collection includes the user selected disease category item and the query result data collection only includes those individual patient data collections having a disease category item which matches the disease category item selected by the user.32.A method according to any of claims 23 to 31, in which the or each query data collection includes a priority category item which is one of a predetermined number of priority category items 33.A method according to claim 32, in which the query selector includes a user selectable priority category switch which permits selection between different priority category items.34.A method according to claim 33, in which the method includes a user selecting the or one of the priority categories via the switch, whereby the user selected query data collection includes the user selected priority category item and the query result data collection only includes those individual patient data collections having a priority category item which matches the priority category item selected by the user.35.A method according to any of claims 23 to 34, in which the method includes providing a dashboard, which comprises one or more indicators.36.A method according to claim 35, in which the or each indicator is associated with one patient identifier item and one query identifier item, and is movable between an annunciation condition and a non-annunciation condition and the indicator moves to the annunciation i-1 5 condition when the associated patient identifier item and query identifier item comprise part of the query result data collection.C) 37.A method according to claim 26, in which the method includes providing V" clinical data processing apparatus, which includes any of the features defined in any of claims 1 to 22.38. A clinical data processing computer program, the program comprising computer program code means which, when loaded into a processor device, causes the processor device to perform as part of the apparatus defined in any of claims 1 to 22 or the method defined in any of claims 23 to 37.39.A computer program according to claim 38, embodied on a computer readable medium, which, when loaded into a processor device causes the processor device to perform as part of the apparatus defined in any of claims ito 22 or the method defined in any of claims 23 to 37.40.Clinical data processing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.41.A clinical data processing method substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.42.A clinical data processing computer program substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to any of the accompanying drawings. C"N-C)</claim-text>