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A Network-Based System to Improve Care for Schizophrenia: The Medical Informatics Network Tool (MINT)

Affiliations of the authors: Department of Veterans Affairs Desert Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Los Angeles, CA (ASY, JM, ANC, MJC); UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute, Los Angeles, CA (ASY, JM); the RAND Corporation (MJC).

Correspondence and reprints: Alexander S. Young, MD, MSHS, West Los Angeles VA, MIRECC, 11301 Wilshire Boulevard, 210A, Los Angeles, CA 90073.

Received for publication: 10/30/03; accepted for publication: 04/05/04.

The Medical Informatics Network Tool (MINT) is a software system that supports the management of care for chronic illness. It is designed to improve clinical information, facilitate teamwork, and allow management of health care quality. MINT includes a browser interface for entry and organization of data and preparation of real-time reports. It includes personal computer–based applications that interact with clinicians. MINT is being used in a project to improve the treatment of schizophrenia. At each patient visit, a nurse briefly assesses symptoms, side effects, and other key problems and enters this information into MINT. When the physician subsequently opens the patient's electronic medical record, a window appears with the assessment information, a messaging interface, and access to treatment guidelines. Clinicians and managers receive reports regarding the quality of patients' treatment. To date, MINT has been used with more than 165 patients and 29 psychiatrists and has supported practices that are consistent with improvements in the quality of care.

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