Abstract: A health care system's compliance engine uses a protocol management system to archive clinical treatment protocols for various clinical conditions in a single standard clinical protocol format, the format including elements such as parameters to be tracked, actions to be taken, symptom to watch for, and a period for each element. Archived protocols include standard protocols and protocols tailored for individual patients. The compliance engine further includes an escalation control system that assesses compliance and suggests remedial action according to plural factors including the clinical protocols, severity of non-compliance, rules regarding patient and caregiver contacts, compliance history of the patient, compliance history of a patient cohort, and machine learning as to probable best escalation paths for optimum outcomes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting bidding sessions in various modes to arrive at the highest or lowest price. The invention allows a primary user to set the objective of the bidding session (i.e., to obtain the maximum price if the primary user has a good or service to sell, and to obtain the minimum price if the primary user is looking for goods or services to buy). The invention allows bidders to participate in and receive immediate feedback on the status of the bidding session with an ordinary web browser, even if the bidder is working from the opposite side of a firewall. The invention also provides a method and apparatus for hosting bidding sessions conducted on behalf of the primary user.