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Fever Study [Febrile EValuation of children in the Emergency Room]
AimTo determine whether a computer decision support system improves the outcomes of children presenting with a febrile illness. BackgroundClinical diagnosis is based on clinical judgement and expertise together with diagnostic test results. This is a complex task involving interpretation of patient results in the context of pre-test probability of disease and test accuracy. Extra complexity occurs with multiple tests, which inevitably occurs once a history and physical examination are taken. This project develops and tests a system that incorporates all components to give the clinician an explicit probability of disease Research PlanPhase 1. (Jul 2004 - June 2006) The primary diagnosis of children less than 5 years old presenting with a febrile illness will be determined by follow up and test review. History, physical examination and laboratory test data will be entered into a database. These data will be analysed and incorporated into software to provide clinicians with explicit probabilities of infection. Phase 2. (2006 - 2008) A randomised controlled trial will be conducted to determine whether this diagnostic algorithm improves patient outcomes. Staff
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