PPOA is an information system capable of handling a set of follow-ups. These are sequences of suitable medical tests, to be performed according to a schedule and grouped into sequences of steps at fixed intervals. PPOA includes a database, which allows the users to generate test sequences adequate for their needs. The database is integrated with a set of procedures. The user can record the results of new tests or retrieve information about the tests a specific patient has undergone.

The system is particularly good for oncologists. It is very important to monitor a patient who has been declared healed. Firstly, it allows doctors to detect a possible recurrence of the disease. Then, it is necessary to monitor for a long period organs and body systems that may show signs of having been damaged by side-effects of  the treatment.

Some institutions which are taking part to the development of the system:

• San Gerardo Hospital, in Monza
• Pediatric hospital Gaslini, in Genoa
• Onco-haematological pediatric clinic of the University of Padua

Project site: http://ppoa.cilea.it