Antimicrobial selection by a computer. A blinded evaluation by infectious diseases experts
V. L. Yu, L. M. Fagan, S. M. Wraith, W. J. Clancey, A. C. Scott, J. Hannigan, R. L. Blum, B. G. Buchanan and S. N. Cohen
An evaluation of a computer-based consultation system called MYCIN was
made. Eight independent evaluators with special expertise in the management
of meningitis compared MYCIN's choice of antimicrobials with the choices of
nine human prescribers for ten test cases of meningitis. MYCIN received an
acceptability rating of 65% by the evaluators; the corresponding ratings
for acceptability of the regimen prescribed by the five faculty specialists
ranged from 42.5% to 62.5%. The system never failed to cover a treatable
pathogen while demonstrating efficiency in minimizing the number of
antimicrobials prescribed. The study design may be useful in assessing the
performance of other computer-based clinical decision-making systems.
