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The basic principles of the synapses federated healthcare record server.

Synapses is a project funded under the EU Health Telematics Framework IV Programme. Synapses sets out to solve problems of sharing data between autonomous information systems, by providing generic and open means to combine healthcare records or dossiers consistently, simply, comprehensibly and securely, whether the data passes within a single healthcare institution or between institutions. This paper presents the specification of the Synapses server, the kernel concept of Synapses. It describes the basis in the European prestandard for Electronic Healthcare Record Architecture, the interfaces to the Synapses client and server and different integration mechanisms for systems providing information to the server. The specification will be verified at a number of validation sites and the final result will be in the public domain.

Computer Communication Networks↗

Towards specialised middleware for healthcare information systems.

Middleware is now a commonly used expression and anyone building distributed applications is referring to 'middleware services'. Nevertheless this notion lacks of sound theoretical foundation. This paper tries to clarify the relationship between the components of distributed environments, especially in healthcare and to establish some classification aiming at gaining a common understanding of the functionality and interdependency of the existing modules of distributed environments. A case study is presented and the potential benefits of using a middleware approach are discussed.

Computer Communication Networks↗

Evolution of an integrated HIS in The Netherlands.

This article considers the 26 years history of an integrated hospital information system (HIS). The system emerged from an experimental government sponsored project in the Leiden University Hospital and is now the leading HIS in The Netherlands. The evolution during these 26 years is presented and discussed in this article with an emphasis on the organisational setting and financing besides the aspects functionality, technology/architecture and evaluation aspects. Recently HISCOM was acquired by the BAAN-group completing the evolution and bringing the HIS to the international health care IT market.

Computer Communication Networks↗

High quality image oriented telemedicine with multimedia technology.

Researchers at Osaka and Kyoto University hospital performed three experiments, beginning in 1995, which looked at high quality-oriented telemedicine. This paper describes the system design for the three projects. Experiment 1 applied high-definition TV images and B-ISDN for distance learning and medical information exchange. Experiment 2 developed a super high-definition medical image filing system and the images were transmitted via B-ISDN for teleconferences and experiment 3 utilized digital, high-definition, TV images and communication satellites for teleconferences. Multimedia and communication technologies were considered to be fundamental components of telemedicine. The three projects were evaluated initially for quality of images, operability and utility. The experimental design and its implementation showed that it was possible to provide high quality image-oriented telemedicine in the health care environment. Obstacles to establishing practical telemedicine are also discussed.

Computer Communication Networks↗

Use of operating windows in the assessment of integrated robotic systems for the measurement of bioprocess kinetics.

This study examines the utility of an automated liquid handling robot integrated with a microwell plate reader to enable the rapid acquisition of bioprocess kinetic data. The relationship between the key parameters for liquid handling accuracy and precision and the sample detection period has been characterized for typical low-viscosity (<2.0 mPa x s) aqueous and organic phases and for a high-viscosity aqueous phase (60 mPa x s), all exhibiting Newtonian rheology. The use of a simple graphical method enables the suitability of a given automation platform to be assessed once the user has determined the minimum sample detection period and the minimum accurate and precise dispense volume. This provides for a reduction in the duration of any experiment by maximizing well usage within each microwell plate. The suitability of employing an integrated automation platform to gather kinetic data for systems typical of those encountered in bioprocessing is analyzed via a series of case studies. Application to alkaline cell lysis, where disruption is complete within 120 s, showed that the range of available dispense volumes and the number of wells that can be utilized is limited. In contrast, analysis of a system exhibiting slow process kinetics, the fermentation of Escherichia coli TOP10 pQR239 in microwell plates, demonstrated that, for a typical sample detection period of 30 min, the only restrictions on the degree of well utilization are the liquid handling accuracy and precision and the volume capacity of the liquid handling robot. Finally, liquid-liquid extraction, an example of a kinetically independent operation, was also examined. In this case, only a single equilibrium measurement is required, which means that the only restrictions to the utilization of the integrated devices are the liquid handling accuracy and precision. Integrated automation platforms represent a powerful process development tool over traditional experimental methods used for bioprocess development. Smaller volumes of reagent and sample can be used to achieve greater throughput, while high levels of reproducibility and sensitivity are maintained.

Biotechnology↗

A proposed scheduling model to improve use of computed tomography facilities.

A nonpreemptive queuing system based upon operations management theory is used to evaluate expected steady state wait periods for traditional and distributed CT scheduling models. Both models are constructed using two classes of patient service--emergent and nonemergent. The former model uses only one point of service per scanner while the latter employs multiple points of service in order to accomplish all of the functions necessary to complete a CT scan. Sample data are drawn from a tertiary care hospital-based system using a traditional service model. Comparison of a traditional and distributed service system, each with emergent and nonemergent service classes, shows that breaking as many activities as possible out of the scanner should provide substantial improvements in cost efficiency and service for patients having CT scans. Nonemergent patients may experience as much as an 89% reduction in steady-state wait times while emergent patients may experience as much as a 59% reduction in wait times. The cost efficiencies recognized either through increased scanner utilization or reduced scanner needs, even with only modest improvements, should more than offset any additional personnel needed to implement a distributed model. Proper implementation of a distributed scheduling model for CT scanning can provide substantial cost efficiencies and improvements in service for both nonemergent and emergent CT scans.

Appointments and Schedules↗

A simple WWW interface and quick response system-information query system for cross-sectional body dimensions.

We developed a query and analysis system for normal growth measurement of Japanese children on our WWW server using CGI. It has two subsystems. The first shows standard height and standard weight calculated by height. This subsystem can calculate the difference between measured height and the standard along with deviation and the ratio of measured weight to the standard weight. The second shows standard height, weight, head circumference, and chest circumference. This subsystem can calculate differences between the measurements and the standard as well as deviation. Because of the low amount of output required, very short turn-around time was required. This system also allows use of the same interface no matter which brand terminal is used and has wide reusability. This system will save doctors and nurses the difficulty of looking up a child's data, then having to make the calculation. We also compare the merits of CGI and Java.

Adolescent↗

LEMMA: a language for easy medical models analysis.

The quality of health care systems and processes is becoming a prominent problem and more and more efforts are devoted to define methodologies and tools to measure and assure quality of care. New methods are required to optimize health care processes to guarantee high quality standards within (limited) available resources. Resource optimizations able to preserve the quality of treatments require good models of medical processes. This paper presents LEMMA, a new notation to model medical processes. LEMMA provides physicians with intuitive graphical elements to design their models. At the same time a high level timed Petri net corresponding to the designed model is built automatically. In this way, LEMMA models are ascribed formal semantics and can be executed and analyzed automatically. The dual language approach followed in this paper allows physicians to gain all the benefits of formal methods without being proficient in them. Medical users manage simple graphical elements, while Petri nets ensure formality and validation capabilities. In this way LEMMA mixes formal and informal notations, overcoming the problems of both the approaches. The definition of the notation has been supported by the development of an environment to design LEMMA models. The environment, besides letting us experiment with the notation, has been employed to define and analyze real case studies.

Computer Communication Networks↗

Enhancing privacy and data protection in electronic medical environments.

Raising awareness and providing guidance to on-line data protection is by all means a crucial issue worldwide. Equally important is the issue of applying privacy-related legislation in a coherent and coordinated way. Both these topics become even more critical when referring to medical environments and thus to the protection of patients' privacy and medical data. Electronic medical transactions require the transmission of personal and medical information over insecure communication channels like the Internet. It is therefore a rather straightforward task to construct "patient profiles " that capture the electronic medical behavior of a patient, or even reveal sensitive information in regard with her/his medical history. Clearly, the consequence from maintaining such profiles is the violation of the patient's privacy. This paper studies medical environments that can support electronic medical transactions or/and the provision of medical information through the Web. Specifically it focuses on the countermeasures that the various actor categories can employ for protecting the privacy of personal and medical data transmitted during electronic medical transactions.

Computer Communication Networks↗

Image file interoperability for data protection, communication and trans-system connectivity.

DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) is a set of international imaging standards developed for medicine and extended to incorporate other professions. These standards encompass primary digital and secondary capture images made for dental diagnostic procedures. The standards provide a basis of interoperability for digital system outputs, providing portability and reducing the danger of obsolescence that would render valuable diagnostic information impossible to display. The American Dental Association, through the activities of its Working Group 12.1, is promoting interoperability within DICOM as the industry standard for digital imaging in dentistry.

Computer Communication Networks↗

Students' evaluation of online course materials in fixed prosthodontics: a case study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess a new online course format for dental students. Preclinical Fixed Prosthodontics I is a didactic and laboratory course given in the first year of the dental school curriculum. In the spring semester of 1999, the didactic portion of the course was offered in a web-based format as a supplement to the traditional lecture format. METHODS: The study population was 53 first year dental students at one school. The study design was a one group post test without a control group. The online questionnaire consisted of multiple choice questions, Leikert scale questions and open-ended questions. Data were collected using Filemaker Pro and analyzed using Epilnfo. RESULTS: Student response rate was 96% (52/53). All of the students responded that they felt comfortable with their computer skills in utilizing this course format. Most (96%) responded that the online materials were either very helpful or helpful to them. About half, (54%) recommended that the online format be continued as a supplement to traditional lectures, while 28% recommended replacing traditional lectures with the new format in order to provide more laboratory time in the course. The syllabus, lecture materials, bulletin board and handouts were found to be the most helpful online features. The least helpful features were the listserve, decision tree, and e-mail options. Most frequently mentioned strengths of the online material were listed as 1) the ability to view material at their own pace and at a time convenient to them, 2) quality photographs in lecture materials and 3) online quizzes. Weaknesses of the course were ranked by students as 1) problems with access to the materials and the intranet system, 2) taking quizzes online and 3) difficulty in printing the web-based lecture materials. CONCLUSIONS: The delivery of web-based material as a course supplement in Fixed Prosthodontics I was determined to be an overall success. Fine tuning of problems with access to the materials took place throughout the course. The student feedback will help direct future development of web-based course materials in the dental school curriculum.

Adult↗