Hi Chris,

Good comments. Don't hold back!

Regarding Providers I must say that they surprise me at times. My primary
Physician obtained a degree in Electrical Engineering prior to his medical
degrees. He has modernized his internal medicine department proficiently.

He could use some help on the records systems but I believe he has the
basics in-hand. Ask him and one might get a verbose response.

-Thomas Clark


----- Original Message -----
From: "Christopher Feahr" <[email protected]>
To: <lakewood at copper.net>; "Thomas Beale" <thomas at deepthought.com.au>;
<openehr-technical at openehr.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2003 1:05 PM
Subject: Re: certification and verification of OpenEHR


> Thomas,
> Thanks for the comments.  My only caution about asking physicians to
> comment on the desirability of EHR-system proposals is that they may not
> understand [what we mean by] our questions... and we probably won't
> really understand [what they mean by] their responses.
>
> When we ask for input from practicing physicians, I would rather pose
> very discrete questions, such as: "When you do this procedure, our
> committee believes that these information components are absolutely
> necessary... do you agree?"
>
> Anyway... this has been a busy few days with all the activity in the HL7
> EHR SIG, and I guess I was in a particularly verbose mode... even for
> me... yesterday!  (I saw several "please remove me! messages posted
> today... I hope I didn't drive away any of your "regulars customers"!)
>
> Take care,
> -Chris
>
> Christopher J. Feahr, O.D.
> Optiserv Consulting (Vision Industry)
> Office: (707) 579-4984
> Cell: (707) 529-2268
> http //Optiserv.com
> http //VisionDataStandard.org
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <lakewood at copper.net>
> To: "Christopher Feahr" <chris at optiserv.com>; "Thomas Beale"
> <thomas at deepthought.com.au>; <openehr-technical at openehr.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2003 9:24 AM
> Subject: Re: certification and verification of OpenEHR
>
>
> > Hi Chris,
> >
> > Great response!
> >
> > Would like to learn what the US Providers want and need from a system
> > like the proposed OpenEHR project. Contributors to the project are at
> > liberty to publish; but the remaining, quite numerous, Providers may
> well
> > be unaware of the existence of such projects and unable to respond.
> >
> > 'Pass the baton to the healthcare associations' seems appropriate. Why
> not
> > have them poll their members?
> >
> > Nothing like designing a system that a majority of the users reject.
> >
> > -Thomas Clark
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Christopher Feahr" <chris at optiserv.com>
> > To: "Thomas Clark" <tclark at hcsystems.com>; "Thomas Beale"
> > <thomas at deepthought.com.au>; <openehr-technical at openehr.org>
> > Sent: Monday, August 04, 2003 10:20 AM
> > Subject: Re: certification and verification of OpenEHR
> >
> >
> > > Thomas,
> > > Thanks!  And I hardly know where to begin responding... but I do
> like
> > > all of your comments.  The thing about providers being considered "a
> > > homogeneous group of individuals working for the common good" is
> really
> > > a matter of philosophical and, perhaps, spiritual orientation.  I
> agree
> > > that we (providers) do not always behave this admirably!  But you
> are
> > > also DEAD ON with your comments suggesting that single-minded
> user-focus
> > > (on the user's OWN needs, as opposed to the needs of the greater
> > > healthcare community) is related to most users being permanently
> stuck
> > > in "survival mode".
> > >
> > > Businesses are struggling to survive... more and more BECAUSE of the
> > > escalating costs of driving the health care bus through the
> information
> > > quagmire.  Insurance interests ARE taking more control over who does
> > > what in healthcare... but not [always!] out of a megalomaniacal
> interest
> > > in controlling providers... but mostly to get control of the COSTS
> that
> > > providers seem to be powerless to control themselves.... again,
> because
> > > providers have pathetic software... because no one can build the
> > > software they need... because we lack sufficient standards to give
> > > application developers sufficient confidence that doctors would
> actually
> > > buy the software if they did build it!
> > >
> > > We are not trying to decide whether breaking out of this
> death-spiral is
> > > a good idea.  Our only task now is to decide HOW to break out of it.
> > > It's not sufficient to say that providers have what they deserve
> because
> > > they've refused to agree on something better (for their patients)...
> > > unless we first imagine and then create for them a mechanism whereby
> > > they CAN agree.  Ideally, we should have one geo-politically neutral
> SDO
> > > maintaining robust communications with a solid, global network of
> > > medical subject matter experts.  Then we build "straw man"
> > > model-components and run them through our expert vetting pool until
> no
> > > one has substantial objection.  Eventually, these converge into a
> > > generally accepted model of the persons, places, things, actions,
> > > relationships, and data elements of healthcare... the aspects of
> these
> > > things that our distributed panel of experts agree are or should be
> > > "always true".
> > >
> > > There is much (about the process of CARE) that the industry can and
> will
> > > agree on. (much of this agreement already exists as "evidence based
> > > practice guidelines" or "standard of care"). We need a way to
> further
> > > formalize that agreement into a technical model of *core* healthcare
> > > processes and information.  Then we can build on it.  As
> > > healthcare-paradigms shift, we will have to absorb the shift into
> the
> > > model, just as practitioners will have to implement the shift in
> real
> > > care processes.  Obviously, we require a model-technology that is
> > > flexible enough to be changed... but remember, this is a MODEL... of
> a
> > > REAL process.  If the process can be changed (and society agree that
> is
> > > SHOULD change)... and that change impacts information management...
> then
> > > the world has no choice.  We must change both the model and the real
> > > processes and the information structures and record architectures...
> to
> > > accommodate the better way of caring for people.
> > >
> > > We never want to change... yet we always do.  The proponents of
> change
> > > always want it to go faster, but I am learning that rapid change
> ALWAYS
> > > causes unnecessary suffering within a system as brittle, fragmented,
> and
> > > interdependent as healthcare.  The minute we stop kicking at it,
> > > however, it STOPS changing!  So the collective "government" role is
> NOT
> > > to write regulations like HIPAA that foist a particular IT-paradigm
> onto
> > > 500,000 providers by a "deadline".  The proper government role is to
> > > FUND the mechanism whereby provider (and other user) needs can be
> > > abstracted into a standard.  Then... with a robust and RELIABLE
> > > standards floor beneath our feet, we let COMMON SENSE be the driver
> to
> > > build, purchase, and implement interoperable software.
> > >
> > > Christopher J. Feahr, O.D.
> > > Optiserv Consulting (Vision Industry)
> > > Office: (707) 579-4984
> > > Cell: (707) 529-2268
> > > http //Optiserv.com
> > > http //VisionDataStandard.org
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Thomas Clark" <tclark at hcsystems.com>
> > > To: "Christopher Feahr" <chris at optiserv.com>; "Thomas Beale"
> > > <thomas at deepthought.com.au>; <openehr-technical at openehr.org>
> > > Sent: Sunday, August 03, 2003 12:50 PM
> > > Subject: Re: certification and verification of OpenEHR
> > >
> > >
> > > > Hi All,
> > > >
> > > > I would like to add a big 'RIGHT-ON' to Christopher's
> contribution!
> > > >
> > > > >From the operations viewpoint cost is a major factor and when
> > > significant
> > > > precludes
> > > > participation by parties and organizations that should be
> involved.
> > > Also,
> > > > the healthcare
> > > > industry cannot be described as a homogeneous group of individuals
> > > working
> > > > for the
> > > > common good, and perhaps the Patient's health.
> > > >
> > > > What is noticeable is that different groups/disciplines rarely
> > > communicate
> > > > effectively
> > > > and are often at odds over even small matters with 'turf control'
> a
> > > common
> > > > factor.
> > > >
> > > > I recently attempted to get a handle on how county operations
> handle
> > > > everything from
> > > > budgets to HIPAA. Unfortunately even volunteers have a difficult
> time
> > > being
> > > > accepted
> > > > and integrated. What is noticeable is that they jealously guard
> their
> > > > current processes,
> > > > procedures and suppliers to the extent that modifications,
> upgrades
> > > and new
> > > > methods
> > > > and technologies are rejected. My suspicion is that they have
> learned
> > > this
> > > > behavior
> > > > simply because budget constraints and consecutive budget cuts have
> > > placed
> > > > them in a
> > > > primarily survival mode.
> > > >
> > > > Administrators are less friendly and politicians are notable for
> their
> > > lack
> > > > of commitment.
> > > >
> > > > The healthcare system is already 'locked' in a mode where even
> small
> > > > sections are
> > > > unable to modify and/or improve current operations. An expanding
> > > population
> > > > will
> > > > render this state of affairs defunct.
> > > >
> > > > My characterization of the healthcare industry is a group of
> > > > not-necessarily-connected
> > > > small universes within which specialties withdraw into
> semi-permeable
> > > > spheres in an
> > > > attempt to create another small universe. Imposing order in a
> > > > cost-efficient/effective
> > > > manor is likely to be rejected soon or very soon after
> introduction,
> > > i.e.,
> > > > failure is a
> > > > sure bet.
> > > >
> > > > Occasionally bright stars appear but too often are
> teaching/research
> > > > personnel and
> > > > organizations. En masse the deficiency in Patient-centric care is
> > > having
> > > > major impacts
> > > > on public sentiment which in turn has a dark side.
> Patient-centered
> > > > healthcare is the
> > > > main target.
> > > >
> > > > HOW DOES OpenEHR FIT INTO THIS?
> > > >
> > > > It is a global healthcare industry that is of interest with
> regional
> > > and
> > > > local industries
> > > > playing major roles. Important are major factors covering
> healthcare
> > > > disciplines and
> > > > Patient specifics, e.g., cultural, ethnic, language, social, age,
> > > medical,
> > > > dental, mental
> > > > and work (certainly not an all-inclusive list). Within the five
> > > minutes
> > > > allocated per
> > > > Patient by an HMO try resolving some of these issues during an
> office
> > > visit
> > > > or,
> > > > perhaps, a visit to an Emergency Room.
> > > >
> > > > Before IT can approach and render a local design for a significant
> > > number of
> > > > these
> > > > issues there are important criteria, requirements, objectives,
> goals
> > > and
> > > > administrative
> > > > issues that need to be resolved positively. OpenEHR must be
> > > accommodating to
> > > > the
> > > > extent that global regions and a global industry can use it as a
> > > bridge and
> > > > transport.
> > > > It must be more than a simple record-keeping system; it must
> include
> > > content
> > > > management and communications capabilities.
> > > >
> > > > As a tourist with a medical condition from Chicago, traveling in
> Paris
> > > and
> > > > requiring
> > > > immediate medical attention my preference would be for a system
> that
> > > > supports
> > > > language translations and common record sub-formats that allow the
> > > attending
> > > > physician to diagnose the problem, attend to it and update Paris
> and
> > > Chicago
> > > > records.
> > > >
> > > > >From an IT viewpoint it is a pipeline that supports applications
> > > requiring
> > > > access,
> > > > filtering, data translation, communications (perhaps with another
> > > > Practitioner),
> > > > auditing, backup, anticipatory storage and all in real-time.
> > > >
> > > > An adaptable 'standard *information* model' with 'granular
> sub-models'
> > > is
> > > > necessary and can incorporate Practitioner, Patient and
> Administrator
> > > > components. Interoperability with existing and 'planned' systems
> is
> > > > necessary
> > > > as well. Merging one or more foreign data sources into a single
> data
> > > source
> > > > would be desirable in an integration effort.
> > > >
> > > > Quote (Chris):
> > > > 'We need to encourage providers to shift their focus from the
> > > *records* to
> > > > the elements of health care information'
> > > >
> > > > Practitioners need to look at how they use current records systems
> and
> > > how
> > > > multiple Practitioners interface on healthcare processes,
> procedure
> > > and
> > > > issues.
> > > > Medical errors occur too frequently when Patients are passed from
> one
> > > > group/Practitioner to another, e.g., a trip to the operating room
> > > involving
> > > > insufficient or incorrect information.
> > > >
> > > > GLOBAL SUPPORT SYSTEM
> > > >
> > > > This remain a tough nut to crack, a major problem involving
> different
> > > > social/
> > > > economic/ethnic/political/insurance/access boundaries. It is not
> an
> > > > impossible
> > > > task since other industries function well today across the same
> > > boundaries.
> > > >
> > > > KNOWLEDGE-BASED SUPPORT
> > > >
> > > > Many repetitions of a process/procedure may be necessary/required
> > > (e.g.,
> > > > policy/regulations). Many may not so constrained. Automatic
> > > Knowledge-based
> > > > processes and procedures can alleviate workloads and bottlenecks.
> > > >
> > > > When properly identified, processes and procedures included within
> an
> > > > OpenEHR record can significantly contribute to data mining and
> > > processing
> > > > that will support future evaluations and performance studies that
> > > could lead
> > > > to
> > > > further enhancements and modifications.
> > > >
> > > > Decision-support and feedback on past, current and planned
> processes
> > > and
> > > > procedures can support Practitioners as well evaluate them. It can
> > > also
> > > > benefit
> > > > Patients.
> > > >
> > > > RECORD ARCHITECTURE
> > > >
> > > > Chris's comments about:
> > > > 'centralized or distributed record architecture'
> > > >
> > > > are significant because:
> > > > 1)Patients are unique
> > > > 2)Patient healthcare is unique and may be affected in different
> ways
> > > by
> > > > applied
> > > > processes, procedures, medications, Practitioners
> > > > 3)There are considerably more Patients than models and exceptions
> are
> > > bound
> > > > to
> > > > kill the model quickly
> > > > 4)Healthcare evolves through research, application, experience and
> > > learning.
> > > > Such evolutionary processes should not be burdened with model
> > > modifications.
> > > >
> > > > My preference is for viewing a Patient's healthcare as an
> adaptable
> > > object
> > > > that
> > > > can inherit from ancestors and healthcare-related objects (e.g.,
> > > disease,
> > > > ethnic,
> > > > cultural, social, mental, work, environmental). Embedded in this
> is
> > > OpenEHR
> > > > as much more than a record-based system.
> > > >
> > > > Regards!
> > > >
> > > > -Thomas Clark
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: "Christopher Feahr" <chris at optiserv.com>
> > > > To: "Thomas Beale" <thomas at deepthought.com.au>;
> > > > <openehr-technical at openehr.org>
> > > > Sent: Sunday, August 03, 2003 7:09 AM
> > > > Subject: Re: certification and verification of OpenEHR
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Dear Group,
> > > > > I have just recently joined your listserve, and have been
> actively
> > > > > participating in the HL7 EHR ballot discussion for only a few
> weeks.
> > > > > During the four years prior to that, I had been swimming in the
> > > > > HIPAA-EDI ocean, trying to figure out how the operational costs
> for
> > > > > 450,000 smaller providers would ever be lowered under our
> > > transaction
> > > > > rule.  The answer is, "they won't... costs will increase". While
> > > HIPAA
> > > > > is arguably "another story", but I believe that the failure of
> the
> > > > > transaction rule to be embraced by our fragmented US provider
> > > community
> > > > > is closely related to the elusive success of the "standard EHR"
> > > effort.
> > > > > I have the distinct sense that our global EHR conversation is
> much
> > > > > closer to the heart of The Beast for small providers than the
> HIPAA
> > > > > slugfest will ever be... and much more likely to bring sanity to
> > > > > providers lives.  Hence, my keen interest in it.   Nevertheless,
> I
> > > > > sense an implied constraint throughout most of the discussions I
> > > have
> > > > > listened to... caused I think, by the almost single-minded focus
> on
> > > the
> > > > > attributes of the information *container*, rather than on the
> health
> > > > > information, itself.
> > > > >
> > > > > Containers and container systems  were certainly a major
> constraint
> > > in
> > > > > the days of paper, and most providers still seem to cling to
> that
> > > > > "primary repository" or "medical chart" model even after "going
> > > > > paperless"... as doctors like to say in the US.  "EHR"
> discussions
> > > seem
> > > > > to presume that we are still constrained by an overwhelming need
> for
> > > a
> > > > > monolithic, physical record system that has to "live"
> somewhere...
> > > all
> > > > > in one piece.  Constraining every enterprise system to the same
> > > physical
> > > > > record architecture is always denied as an ultimate objective of
> > > > > "EHR"... although that *would* be a path to a fairly high level
> of
> > > > > user-system interoperability... it's just that no one would
> agree to
> > > do
> > > > > it.
> > > > >
> > > > > EHR Dream #2 seems to be a Big-EMR-in-the-sky, with which all
> user
> > > > > systems could remain synchronized.  Again, that would certainly
> lead
> > > us
> > > > > toward a useful level of interoperability, assuming that the
> most
> > > > > trustworthy entity (the U.S. govt.?  United Nations?) agreed to
> > > maintain
> > > > > the repository-in-the-sky, to which over one million enterprise
> > > systems
> > > > > would have to be rigorously mapped. But even if that were
> reasonably
> > > > > implementable, it makes providers uncomfortable... the idea of
> their
> > > > > records being "stored" with millions of "foreign" records in
> some
> > > far
> > > > > off place (like India), rather than in the safety of their back
> > > rooms...
> > > > > or just down the street... or at least in the same state or
> county.
> > > > > Have we asked providers to sit down and *really* articulate
> these
> > > > > fears??  These are paper-tiger issues.
> > > > >
> > > > > Attempting to standardize PMS applications on a generic record
> > > format
> > > > > for each major care domain/setting is obviously pointless.
> Doctors
> > > and
> > > > > PMS vendors simply will not agree.. mainly because neither will
> even
> > > > > bother attending the standards meetings. (note how
> enthusiastically
> > > this
> > > > > community is embracing EDI under the federal mandate of
> HIPAA...
> > > and
> > > > > how compelling small provider demand currently is for
> EDI-enabled
> > > > > products.  Lack of perceived demand is the main reason that
> small
> > > PMS
> > > > > vendors don't bother attending SDO meetings to learn how to
> build
> > > them).
> > > > >
> > > > > On the other hand, I believe that a standard *information* model
> for
> > > the
> > > > > entire industry, with granular sub-models developed for each
> care
> > > > > domain/setting... would not only be possible to create, but
> would
> > > pave
> > > > > the most direct road toward useful interoperability.  I believe
> that
> > > PMS
> > > > > vendors would voluntarily respect such a standard... and would
> > > hugely
> > > > > appreciate the freedom to design whatever record architectures
> they
> > > > > wanted.
> > > > >
> > > > > Step #1 would be to develop a universal *process* model, by
> > > > > painstakingly abstracting the non-controversial requirements of
> > > > > published, evidence-based practice guidelines.  That will be the
> > > "heavy
> > > > > lifting" and the part requiring documented and extensive vetting
> by
> > > > > practicing physicians and other stakeholders.  From the process
> > > model,
> > > > > however, we should be able to spin off a universal information
> model
> > > for
> > > > > Healthcare.  Who would choose not to conform to such a model?
> > > Providers
> > > > > will happily agree to execute care processes in almost exactly
> the
> > > same
> > > > > way... according to standard-of-care guidelines.  And all
> > > > > machine-to-machine messaging would have to be concerned with is
> the
> > > use
> > > > > of standard information elements, defined by a standard XML
> schema,
> > > > > driven by the standard model.
> > > > >
> > > > > It seems to me that the thing most in need of standardizing
> across
> > > the
> > > > > healthcare industry, is the information that goes INTO [an
> almost
> > > > > uncountable # of]  user-specific record formats.  We need to
> > > encourage
> > > > > providers to shift their focus from the *records* to the
> elements of
> > > > > health care information.  The goal is to have the right
> information
> > > > > elements in front of the right eyes just in time to support the
> > > > > execution of the right healthcare process.
> > > > >
> > > > > It should not matter what sort of centralized or distributed
> record
> > > > > architecture the information either came from or is headed
> toward.
> > > All
> > > > > you need is a *standard* registry connected to the user system
> that
> > > > > knows where to look for the information that the user is
> demanding.
> > > If
> > > > > that registry doesn't point directly to a repository containing
> the
> > > > > desired patient information, it could poll the other registries.
> We
> > > > > could have millions of fragmented/distributed and even
> duplicative
> > > > > repositories of health information, but only one registry is
> > > required...
> > > > > although a handful of standard registry services could also be
> > > supported
> > > > > without significant degradation in service.  (Consider, for
> example,
> > > our
> > > > > DNS system and how smoothly the internet functions, despite the
> > > number
> > > > > of domain name registrars and DNS services that exist.)
> > > > >
> > > > > Has the group discussed this general approach?  For a longer
> and,
> > > > > perhaps more organized dissertation, please see my article at
> > > > > http //visiondatastandard.org/draftstandard.html , along with a
> > > draft
> > > > > ISO report, providing some additional background.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks for listening!
> > > > > Best regards,
> > > > > -Chris
> > > > >
> > > > > Christopher J. Feahr, O.D.
> > > > > Optiserv Consulting (Vision Industry)
> > > > > Office: (707) 579-4984
> > > > > Cell: (707) 529-2268
> > > > > http //Optiserv.com
> > > > > http //VisionDataStandard.org
> > > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > > From: "Thomas Beale" <thomas at deepthought.com.au>
> > > > > To: <openehr-technical at openehr.org>
> > > > > Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2003 4:33 PM
> > > > > Subject: Re: certification and verification of OpenEHR
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Hi Thomas,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > lakewood at copper.net wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > >Hi All,
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >Been off looking at some operational considerations
> associated
> > > with
> > > > > > >supporting, maintaining and updating global EHRs.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > What was your study to do with? Our analysis of possible EHR
> users
> > > is
> > > > > > that most people would use regional EHRs, i.e. EHRs which are
> > > embedded
> > > > > > in the healthcare network in which they normally live. Issues
> of
> > > > > > consent, privacy, security, as well as technical and clinical
> > > issues
> > > > > can
> > > > > > be determined in advance on a regional basis, and set up wiith
> > > > > > appropriate contracts. When such patients have a health
> problem
> > > > > outside
> > > > > > this jurisdiction, e.g on holiday overseas, and ad hoc
> requeest
> > > for
> > > > > > health data needs to be possible - where there will be no
> advance
> > > > > > contracts, security clearances etc.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > However, some patients are always on the move. Military, aid
> > > workers,
> > > > > > elite athletes, conference speakers, entertainers, airline
> staff
> > > and
> > > > > so
> > > > > > on. THey can routinely have a problem anywhere in the world.
> So
> > > their
> > > > > > EHR needs to be set up in a different way - probably served
> from a
> > > > > > secure webportal which the network of carers for that kind of
> > > person
> > > > > > will have secure access, also set up in advance. But these
> people
> > > can
> > > > > > also need medical help outside their routiine care network,
> and
> > > > > > communications of part of the EHR will again devolve to ad hoc
> > > > > requests
> > > > > > and replies, where security and privacy have to be worked out
> on
> > > the
> > > > > spot.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > >The following types of
> > > > > > >users were considered:
> > > > > > >1)CREATORS
> > > > > > >-individual, groups or organizations that must, or want to,
> > > generate
> > > > > new or
> > > > > > >updated EHRs
> > > > > > >2)REVIEWERS
> > > > > > >-overseers, peers and formal reviewers
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > can you define this role in more detail to do with EHRs? Do
> you
> > > mean
> > > > > > senior medical staff?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > >3)ADMINISTRATORS
> > > > > > >-Data management/processing
> > > > > > >4)CERTIFIERS
> > > > > > >-Handles tasks associated with correctness, e.g., prior to
> use or
> > > > > archiving
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > also this role
> > > > > >
> > > > > > >There has to be user toolkits, possibly with custom
> components,
> > > > > available
> > > > > > >for the EHRs, and perhaps many different implementations of
> EHRs.
> > > > > There must
> > > > > > >also be administrative (e.g., configuration management),
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > you will see that the basic of configuration management are in
> the
> > > > > > COmmon RM
> > > > > (http //www.openehr.org/Doc_html/Model/Reference/common_rm.htm)
> > > > > >
> > > > > > >QA (e.g., does it
> > > > > > >work), evaluation (e.g., workflow)
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > clinical workflow is a big area, and will most likely have its
> own
> > > > > > services, but very closely bound in with the EHR
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > and performance (e.g., does it take less
> > > > > > >time to perform a task using pen and paper?) tools to address
> > > related
> > > > > > >operations (note that the supporting networks and systems
> have
> > > been
> > > > > left
> > > > > > >out).
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > I think all of what you are saying relates to IT / software
> > > > > engineering
> > > > > > quality assurance measures?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > >What kind of tools?
> > > > > > >SUGGESTION: graphical, possibly remote access and possibly
> > > wireless
> > > > > enabled.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >WHY? Not everyone loves computers, scripting and software
> plus is
> > > > > willing to
> > > > > > >dedicate the time and energy to get some script to play
> right.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >OPINION: Would like to see a tool that can access/breakdown
> > > different
> > > > > types
> > > > > > >of EHRs, support information transfer and synthesis of
> additional
> > > > > records,
> > > > > > >even a modified EHR.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > there are two approaches to this. One is where the source
> "EHR"
> > > > > systems
> > > > > > are legacy databases, and don't obey any models. THere are
> > > approaches
> > > > > to
> > > > > > getting data using archetypes to model it, but of course they
> are
> > > not
> > > > > > completely simple - most legacy databases have different,
> annoying
> > > > > > schemas....you have to extract the raw data, match columns and
> > > rows to
> > > > > > target structures, synthesis missing bits etc etc.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The other approach is when we are talking about moving
> information
> > > > > > from/to EHR systems which obey openEHR or some other accepted
> > > standard
> > > > > > for which we can write interoperability software much more
> easily.
> > > > > Then
> > > > > > interoperability is largely a matter of archetypes.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > - thomas
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > -
> > > > > > If you have any questions about using this list,
> > > > > > please send a message to d.lloyd at openehr.org
> > > > >
> > > > > -
> > > > > If you have any questions about using this list,
> > > > > please send a message to d.lloyd at openehr.org
> > > >
> > >
> > > -
> > > If you have any questions about using this list,
> > > please send a message to d.lloyd at openehr.org
> >
>
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