Ontology-based computerization of acute coronary syndrome clinical guideline for decision support in the emergency department.

Managing cardiac diseases in an emergency department is a challenge, as it demands rapid decision-making in a life-threatening situation. This paper presents a knowledge model for clinical guideline mediated Clinical Decision Support System for Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS), targeting the ED care setting. We take a healthcare knowledge management approach to model clinical guideline using a clinical guideline ontology that is used to computerize the clinical guideline on the management of ACS, published by the American Heart Association, as a first step toward developing a clinical decision support system suitable for emergency departments at tertiary hospitals in Saudi Arabia.