Rigorously Defining and Analyzing Medical Processes: An Experience Report

  • Authors:

  • Stefan Christov;Bin Chen;George S. Avrunin;Lori A. Clarke;Leon J. Osterweil;David Brown;Lucinda Cassells;Wilson Mertens

  • Affiliations:

  • Laboratory for Advanced Software Engineering Research (LASER), University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst MA 01003;Laboratory for Advanced Software Engineering Research (LASER), University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst MA 01003;Laboratory for Advanced Software Engineering Research (LASER), University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst MA 01003;Laboratory for Advanced Software Engineering Research (LASER), University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst MA 01003;Laboratory for Advanced Software Engineering Research (LASER), University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst MA 01003;D'Amour Center for Cancer Care, Springfield MA 01199;D'Amour Center for Cancer Care, Springfield MA 01199;D'Amour Center for Cancer Care, Springfield MA 01199

  • Venue:
  • Models in Software Engineering
  • Year:
  • 2008

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Abstract

This paper describes our experiences in defining the processes associated with preparing and administrating chemotherapy and then using those process definitions as the basis for analyses aimed at finding and correcting defects. The work is a collaboration between medical professionals from a major regional cancer center and computer science researchers. The work uses the Little-JIL language to create precise process definitions, the Propelsystem to specify precise process requirements, and the FLAVERS system to verify that the process definitions adhere to the requirement specifications. The paper describes how these technologies were applied to successfully identify defects in the chemotherapy process. Although this work is still ongoing, early experiences suggest that this approach can help reduce medical errors and improve patient safety. The work has also helped us to learn about the desiderata for process definition and analysis technologies, both of which are expected to be broadly applicable to other domains.