FYI...timely article on the role of open standards and open source in healthcare available here.. http://www.jmir.org/2011/1/e24/
"Open Source, Open Standards, and Health Care Information Systems" Carl J Reynolds1, BSC(Hons) MB BS; Jeremy C Wyatt2, MB BS DM FRCP 1Centre for Health Informatics and Multiprofessional Education, UCL Medical School, London, United Kingdom 2Institute for Digital Health care, International Digital Laboratory, Warwick University, Coventry, United Kingdom ABSTRACT Recognition of the improvements in patient safety, quality of patient care, and efficiency that health care information systems have the potential to bring has led to significant investment. Globally the sale of health care information systems now represents a multibillion dollar industry. As policy makers, health care professionals, and patients, we have a responsibility to maximize the return on this investment. To this end we analyze alternative licensing and software development models, as well as the role of standards. We describe how licensing affects development. We argue for the superiority of open source licensing to promote safer, more effective health care information systems. We claim that open source licensing in health care information systems is essential to rational procurement strategy. (J Med Internet Res 2011;13(1):e24) doi:10.2196/jmir.1521 ******************************************************************************************************************** This message may contain confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient please inform the sender that you have received the message in error before deleting it. Please do not disclose, copy or distribute information in this e-mail or take any action in reliance on its contents: to do so is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Thank you for your co-operation. NHSmail is the secure email and directory service available for all NHS staff in England and Scotland NHSmail is approved for exchanging patient data and other sensitive information with NHSmail and GSi recipients NHSmail provides an email address for your career in the NHS and can be accessed anywhere For more information and to find out how you can switch, visit www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/nhsmail ********************************************************************************************************************
