Protocols are sets of conditions, actions and rules that set standards and guidelines for the delivery of health care and health management services. When set up and enforced within an organization's primary software management system, protocols have the potential to greatly improve the quality, efficiency and cost effectiveness of health care.

We propose to develop a prototype of a "Protocol Engine" with the following features:

• Windows application designed to run on personal computers, accessing data on the computer itself, or anywhere on the network the computer is connected to.
• Includes facilities to refine and customize protocols to the needs of the organization.
• Data access to any open architecture format.
• Data monitoring will be timely, and as close as possible to the time care is provided or planned.

In Occupational Health Software it has written, CK Computer Consultants has designed several types of protocols. It has produced and is supporting health care applications in sites around the country.