Generate active problem list
AI takes patient information and creates organized, numbered active problem list with diagnoses prioritized appropriately.
Generate active problem list
River's Problem List Generator creates organized active problem lists from patient clinical information. You provide patient diagnoses and conditions, and the AI generates properly formatted problem list with issues numbered, prioritized by acuity and importance, and organized systematically. The problem list serves as master summary of patient's current medical issues. Perfect for physicians documenting active diagnoses, hospitalists managing complex patients, case managers coordinating care, or any clinician needing organized problem lists.
Unlike scattered or outdated problem documentation, this tool creates systematic problem list that serves as foundation for problem-oriented medical records. A well-maintained problem list ensures all providers know patient's active diagnoses, facilitates care coordination, supports appropriate coding and billing, and helps prevent issues from being overlooked. The AI prioritizes acute problems first, then chronic conditions, organizing information for clinical utility. When problem lists are current and complete, they improve care quality and communication.
This tool is perfect for hospitalists creating admission problem lists, primary care physicians updating problem lists at visits, case managers organizing complex patient issues, or any clinician needing systematic problem documentation. If your problem lists are disorganized, outdated, or incomplete, this creates professional problem lists instantly. Use it for admission notes, progress notes, discharge summaries, or any clinical documentation.
Creating Effective Problem Lists
Effective problem lists are current, complete, specific, and organized. Include all active problems requiring ongoing management or monitoring. This includes acute problems (reason for current encounter), chronic conditions (diabetes, hypertension, COPD), and past problems with ongoing implications (history of DVT while on anticoagulation). Don't include resolved problems that require no follow-up. Be specific with diagnoses rather than symptoms when diagnosis is known. Instead of 'chest pain,' list 'unstable angina' once diagnosed. Use standard terminology and ICD coding when possible.
Prioritize problems appropriately. List most acute or life-threatening problems first. For hospitalized patients, primary reason for admission is typically problem #1, followed by other acute issues, then chronic conditions. For outpatient problem lists, organize by clinical importance or severity. Some institutions number problems, others use bullets. Either way, clear organization matters. Update problem lists regularly. Mark resolved problems as inactive rather than deleting them, as history remains relevant. Add new diagnoses as they're confirmed. Problem list should evolve with patient's condition.
Problem-oriented documentation means each progress note addresses active problems systematically. Assessment and plan section should reference problem list by number: 'Problem #1: Community-acquired pneumonia. Patient is improving on antibiotics...' This ensures all issues are addressed and nothing is forgotten. Problem lists facilitate care coordination across providers and care settings. When specialists or emergency physicians see patient, current problem list immediately orients them to patient's medical complexity. Maintain your problem lists diligently as essential communication tool.
What You Get
Numbered active problem list
Problems prioritized by acuity and importance
Specific diagnoses with standard terminology
Organized format ready for medical record
Acute problems listed before chronic conditions
Complete snapshot of patient's medical issues
How It Works
- 1Provide patient diagnosesList patient's active medical problems and conditions
- 2AI creates problem listGenerates organized, numbered problem list in 1-2 minutes
- 3Review and refineVerify accuracy, adjust priority, add any missing problems
- 4Paste into documentationCopy problem list into admission note, progress note, or chart
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between active and inactive problems?
Active problems require ongoing management, monitoring, or impact current care decisions. Inactive (resolved) problems are in patient's history but don't currently require action. Diabetes is active (ongoing management). Remote appendectomy is inactive (resolved, no current implications). History of DVT might be active if patient is still on anticoagulation, inactive if treatment completed and no longer affects care. Update status as conditions resolve or become chronic issues requiring ongoing management.
How specific should problem list diagnoses be?
Be as specific as you can with current information. If diagnosis is confirmed, use specific diagnosis: 'type 2 diabetes mellitus' not 'elevated glucose.' If working diagnosis, indicate uncertainty: 'possible pneumonia' or 'chest pain of unclear etiology.' As you gather more information and confirm diagnoses, update problem list with more specific terms. For billing and quality reporting, specific diagnoses matter. Problem list should reflect your best understanding of patient's conditions.
Should symptoms or diagnoses be on problem list?
Prefer diagnoses when known. If patient has confirmed diagnosis explaining symptom, list diagnosis: 'migraine headaches' rather than 'headache.' However, if symptom is unexplained or diagnosis is unclear, it's appropriate to list symptom as problem: 'weight loss of unknown etiology, under evaluation.' Once you identify cause, update problem to diagnosis. Problem list should represent your current understanding whether that's confirmed diagnosis or symptom requiring investigation.
How often should problem lists be updated?
Update problem list whenever patient's condition changes significantly. Add new diagnoses when confirmed. Mark problems as resolved when appropriate. At minimum, review and update problem list at every visit or admission. For hospitalized patients, update throughout hospitalization as diagnoses are confirmed or refined. Outdated problem lists cause confusion and errors. Make problem list maintenance part of every patient encounter. Many EHRs make this easy with template problem lists you can modify.
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