Abstract:
NUTRI-EX is an online knowledge-based expert system for computation and evaluation of parenteral
nutrition (PN) requirements. Parenteral nutrition (PN) is the provision of nutrients via the intravenous
route, normally used when a patient's digestive system cannot function properly. The quantitative needs
of patients receiving PN need to be assessed carefully because mistakes in computation may lead to
unwanted drug events and life-threatening complications. NUTRI-EX is designed to replace the manual
evaluation and computation of PN requirements by a computerized PN sheet generator. It computes for
the PN requirements based on a set of rules that are provided in the knowledge-base, set and updated by
the PN expert. The PN requirements are evaluated and computed depending also on the values provided
by the most recent patient record. The system also provides management of patient accounts including
patient record, PN schedule and PN history.
