A method in a computer system for preparing for a clinical event is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes the steps of identifying a preference card associated with the clinical event, the preference card including a list of predefined clinical item values, accessing at least one patient-specific demographic value; determining whether at least one of the predefined clinical item values is incompatible with at least one patient-specific demographic value, and updating the preference card if at least one of the predefined clinical item values is incompatible with at least one patient-specific demographic value.