The Top 100 Open Source Software Tools for Medical Professionals

Open source software benefits professionals in all industries: government, Internet, business, education, and even health care. Expensive software and subscriptions for anti virus systems, supporting electronic medical records and even phone or e-mail communications can put on a strain on small clinics as well as larger hospitals. Open source tools are free, highly customizable, and secure enough to handle the sensitive data that medical professionals often work with. Read below for our list of the top 100 open source software tools that benefit health care professionals.

Medical Billing and Electronic Medical Records

These open software tools will help you manage your medical practice, from organizing EMRs to billing.

1. FreeMED
The FreeMED project is a “system for medical providers that runs in any web browser in multiple languages.” FreeMED will keep your EMRs safe and organized.

2. OpenEMR
Take paperless billing to the next level by transitioning to an open source format. OpenEMR features appointment scheduling, patient registration, payment tracking and more.

3. OpenEMR Current
OpenEMR Current is another electronic medical records software system.

4. OpenEMR Virtual Appliance
This version of OpenEMR open source software runs with the FreeVMware Player and features the FreeB billing application.

5. FreeB
This GPL medical billing program can be used with any EHR system and “tracks basic demographics, procedure codes and diagnosis codes.”

6. SmartCare
This software develops EMR programs that can be used in disadvantaged countries, particularly Zambia.

7. XChart
XChart is a project by the Open Healthcare Group that promotes EMR, based in XML.

8. OpenMRS
This medical record system is a Web-based open source program that is designed for medical professionals working in developing countries.

9. Open Dental Software
This set of tools is designed just for dental offices. Doctors and staff can manage inventory, appointments and more.

10. ClearHealth
ClearHealth is powered by open source software and “covers the five major areas of practice operations including scheduling, billing, EMR, HIPAA Security and accounts receivable.”

Antivirus, Security and Privacy

From protecting and saving your research data to keeping patient information private, these open source security tools are vital for any medical professional.

11. PeerGuardian 2
PeerGuardian is an IP blocker for Windows operating systems.

12. Eraser
This free software program lets users remove private files from their hard drive through an advanced overwriting technique.

13. Clam Win
Perfect for health care professionals on a budget, this antivirus software is completely free. It also features high detection rates for spyware, a scanning scheduler, and an app that searches Outlook for virus-infected attachments.

14. PktFilter
Certain Windows users can utilize this security tool which configures IPv4 filtering devices.

15. The Open Anti Virus Project
Access a free anti virus system here.

16. SuperShredder
This file-shredding software makes sure sensitive data is completely destroyed.

Communications

17. Zimbra
Zimbra’s e-mail solution is used in government offices, education institutes and other business environments. Medical professionals will benefit from its fast backup and recovery of mailboxes, anti-spam and anti-virus protection, BlackBerry and other mobile device support, and flexible applications.

18. Thunderbird 2
Organize your inbox with the help of Thunderbird 2, a tool that “allows you to customize your e-mail to suit your needs.”

19. phpBB
Set up a forum on your medical blog or website with this popular program.

20. Mirth
This solution supports HL7 messaging, letting healthcare professionals manage and customize data interfaces.

21. Asterisk
This “complete telecommunications platform” features telephony actions like voicemail set up and call conferencing, so you can cut down on phone bills.

22. hMailServer
Cut down on costs with this free e-mail server for Windows.

23. Pidgin
This tool is especially useful for medical professionals who travel or are in private practice. Consolidate all of your IM accounts with this tool, which allows you to communicate with patients, family and vendors from AIM, Google Talk and other IM clients.

24. aMSN
If you’re addicted to your MSN chat service but need to communicate with contacts who use other clients, use aMSN to chat with users from any network. aMSN also features webcam support, offline messaging and chat logs.

25. MailArchiva
Organize your inbox with this open source tool that will help you archive incoming and outgoing e-mails.

26. OpenMoko
Learn about the project to “free your phone” and customize your mobile experience here.

27. Podcast Generator
Design and publish your own podcast with this open source software program. It comes with multi-language support, Web mp3 streaming and the ability to support any media file type, including mp3s, oggs, and mixed audio/video podcasts.

Graphics and Imaging

Use these graphics and imaging tools to view brain images, 3D images and more.

28. Eviewbox DICOM
This Java tool is a portable digital light box that lets medical professionals view all kinds of images, including DICOM images.

29. Gallery
Share photos with patients and office staff by using this open source tool. You can upload pictures onto your website and organize online photo albums.

30. Medical Image Viewer
This free program reads DICOM, raster and Analyze/Nifti images. Doctors can upload and manipulate medical images including an x-ray on their computers with this program.

31. Medical Imaging Interaction Toolkit
Also known as MITK, this tool features plane rotation modes, 2D and 3D views, RAW image import and data storage.

32. BrainVisa
This interactive software shows different images of the brain.

33. ParaView
ParaView is used “for parallel, interactive, scientific visualization,” according to Wikipedia.

34. ClearCanvas Workstation
ClearCanvas’ Workstation 1.0 is a DICOM PACS viewer for medical professionals.

35. Endrov
Endrove is a plugin that acts as a database, library and imaging program. Users can create their own editing tools, and the program can support XYZ, time and channel dimensions.

36. 3D Slicer
This multi-platform visual and image computing software system features manual editing capabilities, fusion and data co-registering, “visualization of tracking information for image-guided procedures” and interactive options.

37. MedINRIA
This medical image and processing tool displays high-quality algorithms.

38. AMIDE
This tool is “a competely free tool for viewing, analyzing, and registering volumetric medical imaging data sets.” AMIDE runs on Macs, PCs, Linux machines and more.

39. Tempo
Tempo displays brain electrical activity on your computer in a 3D format. Features include animated topographic maps, a 3D rotating head model and a free download.

Content Management Tools

Manage your medical blog or website with these user-friendly open source tools, which allow you to reach a wider audience and share your advice.

40. Joomla
Joomla supports “cutting edge content management” that stores images, presentations, and documents. It also has a simple installer, features an image manager and more.

41. XOOPS
Manage your web content with XOOPS, whether you’re setting up a forum on your site or just want to work on your blog.

42. Drupal
Drupal is flexible enough to support personal blogs and large interactive sites. Features include easy searching capabilities, indexing, customization accessories, online help and more.

43. WebGUI
WebGUI is “web done right.” It currently runs 10,000 websites, and allows users to sell and advertise products, maintain subscription services, beef up site security, publish articles, upload photos and more. It works whether you want to start your own healthcare business or simply dispense advice and attract new patients.

44. Caisis
This program tracks and manages data relating to cancer patients.

Research and Reference

For quick assistance for your research studies, take advantage of these open source reference items.

45. XTerm Medical Dictionary
This medical dictionary and database is updated twice a month, so you’re always current.

46. OpenClinica
This open source project is a “web-based electronic data capture system for clinical research.” The tool lets users manage data, submit new information, extract data, manage accounts and more.

47. PubMed
The U.S. National Library of Medicine sponsors this search tool that includes life science journals and other references.

48. caGrid 1.1
In an effort to connect scientists, tools and the medical community, this project makes cancer research data more accessible.

49. MEDLINE
Medline is a free web-based database that holds journals, articles and other references for scientists and medical researchers.

50. MIX
MIX is a meta-analysis tool that’s free and open source. It works with Microsoft Excel and “can be used to reproduce the meta-analytical calculations and graphical data explorations of virtually all” meta-analysis data sets.

51. LOINC
This free and open database is designed to “facilitate the exchange and pooling of results…for clinical care, outcomes management, and research.” LOINC stands for Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes.

52. The National Drug Code Directory
Look up drug products and information in this government directory.

Multimedia

For open source software to make the most of your audio, visual and mobile files, look to these free tools.

53. Krut Computer Recorder
Save and record audio and video from your computer screen with the Krut Computer Recorder.

54. Juice
If you’re in surgery while your favorite medical podcast or Internet program runs, you can use Juice to “create your own custom online audio anytime.”

55. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Interactive Tools and Resources
Access applications and reference tools from the NHLBI for your Palm OS or PocketPC device.

56. WFDB Software Package
WFDB, or WaveForm DataBase, Software Package is a toolkit “for viewing, analyzing and creating recordings of physiologic signals. It comes with a WFDB library, a set of user-friendly applications and more.

57. Sispread
Sispread allows medical professionals to simulate the effects and tracking of the spreading of infectious diseases.

58. Miro
With Miro, you can “turn your computer into an Internet TV.” Look up medical stories on the Discovery channel, catch up on the news during your break in the office, or upload your own YouTube tutorial to help others learn more about their health problems.

59. Audacity
Record patient interviews or your own notes using Audacity, a free, cross-platform sound editor that works with Mac OS X, Windows, GNU/Linux and other systems.

60. Moosic
De-stress in your office or in the operating room with this computer jukebox for Unix systems.

61. HandBrake
This version of HandBrake can translate audio and DVD files, as well as access Apple audio support, letting users watch video on their iPhones in a seamless format.

62. puka
puka is a software program from Physionet that is designed “for detection of breaths in strain gauge recordings.” The system is written in Java, and can read and write data from MySQL databases.

63. PeerCast
This p2p broadcasting tool lets medical professionals watch and listen to relevant tutorials, lectures and podcasts online. PeerCast also “lets anyone become a broadcaster without the costs of traditional streaming.”

64. MediaPortal
Since you spend so much time at work anyway, why not turn your PC into a media center to help you de-stress, catch up on the news, or even listen to music while you operate?

Storing Patient Information

Keep track of patient records with tools these open source office suites, address books and more.

65. Open Office
Open Office is the open source solution to the office suite. Create word processing documents, spreadsheets, and databases to stay organized. It’s also compliant with all other office suites.

66. The Address Book
Simply known as The Address Book, this tool can hold a “virtually unlimited” amount of contact info.

67. Rubrica
Rubrica is an address book for GNOME desktop users. It stores data based on XML but can export information to HTML and text formats too.

68. PostgreSQL
This program claims to be “the world’s most advanced open source database.” It can read foreign keys, works on many different operating systems and supports features like a point-in-time recovery system, online backups and more.

69. Freemed YiRC
Often abbreviated as FMYiRC, this tool is designed for child care agencies and youth in residential care organizations that need help setting up case management and information systems.

70. Bots
Share patient information and records by taking advantage of Bots’ “any-to-any-format” data conversions, secure communications and other features.

71. Chiapas
Chiapas is an HIPAA data translation solution that lets users supplement their SQL databases and patient information.

72. Future SQL
Administrators can manage, configure, and set up records and files on their MySQL database with this tool, which includes a data dictionary, customizable templates and more.

73. SugarCRM
Visit the SugarCRM site for open source tools that help you manage vendor information, patient contacts and more.

General Tools that Work for Everyone

Below is a list of general open source tools that prove useful to medical professionals too.

74. Firefox
This popular open source browser is fast and extremely customizable. From reference dictionaries to search engine add-ons, you can easily access research material and client information from your Firefox toolbar.

75. Feedreader
Feedreader is a tool that brings you the news you want quickly and easily. A user-friendly format means that you won’t have to waste time clicking through pages or figuring out the next step.

76. BitPim
BitPim “allows you to view and manipulate data on many CDMA phones from LG, Samsung, Sanyo and other manufacturers,” so that you don’t have to put up with annoying ring tones or sloppy display formats.

77. DBDesigner 4
Design your own database using DBDesigner 4.

78. Sunbird
Use this desktop calendar to keep you on schedule and up to date on appointments, presentations and more.

79. K-Meleon
Make your Internet search even faster when you use this highly customizable, “light” Internet browser.

80. FreeMind
FreeMind is a free mind mapping software tool that will help you brainstorm, make decisions and prioritize.

81. Bluefish
Medical professionals who are also web savvy can edit websites, write scripts and develop programming codes for their sites and blogs with Bluefish.

82. Time Stamp
This tool helps freelance and private practice healthcare professionals keep track of their billable hours.

Collaboration Tools

Collaborate with other medical professionals by networking online, inviting them to work on your desktop or taking advantage of remote access applications.

83. GNOME
This version of the GNOME desktop features a remote desktop, simplified keyboard settings, networked filesystems, DVD and Digital TV capabilities and more.

84. Portable Apps
Medical professionals who use Windows can take all of their computer’s applications with them wherever they go with this nifty tool.

85. MirrorMed
MirrorMed is a web-based, open source EHR and practice management system that “is capable of running a healthcare practice.”

86. MedMapper
Download this “medical decision-making algorithm tool” here. Medical professionals can create visual algorithms to explain processes and collaborate on projects.

87. MyDrugRef
Find out what other healthcare professionals think about drugs and prescription medicines on this online forum and networking site.

Storing, Sharing and Managing Files

Manage and share files with these two open source tools, which are free and customizable.

88. Filezilla
This FTP solution is free, easy to use and multilingual. The system runs on Windows, Linux and Mac, and can transfer files larger than 4GB.

89. eMule
eMule is a peer-to-peer file sharing client that lets you download all types of files from the Internet, making it useful for research and preparing presentations.

For Patients

From public health to patient diaries, these open source programs are highly beneficial for medical professionals who work on cases large and small.

90. Diets in Details
Help your patients lose weight by introducing them to this free software program. It includes a database with over 50,000 food names and info., a calorie counter and a diary.

91. HippoDiary
This spreadsheet-like medical diary gives patients the tools they need to document their health and keep a health diary. It includes an XY-chart, customizable fields, and the ability to do mathematical calculations.

92. BMI Calculator
Quickly calculate your BMI or a patient’s BMR with this simple tool.

93. Food Additives
Nutritionists will enjoy this program that lists the food additives to avoid and checks the food you just bought to see how many harmful additives it contains.

94. AcreSoft Health Stars
For patients who have trouble staying on schedule and remembering to take their pills, introduce them to this free program that tracks blood sugar, miles walked, steps walked, doctor’s visits and more.

95. NetEPI
This public health and epidemiology project includes several different open source tools that feature a web-based outbreak database tool and more.

96. InfluSim
This tool lets medical professionals witness the simulated effects of an influenza pandemic.

97. Tapeworm
GNOME desktop users can use Tapeworm to track calorie, fat, protein and carb intake, as well as exercise efforts, weight gain or loss and more.

Miscellaneous

Find more miscellaneous tools here, from health information systems to free operating systems.

98. Care2X
This open source project includes a central data server, health exchange protocol, practice management and hospital/healthservice information system.

99. Open Health Services
This program “allow[s] for a wide variety of safe, secure reports and services to be delivered to consumers, leveraging the power of their electronic medical records.” Patients can access personal health records, manage sleeping and dietary habits, and more.

100. Debian
Debian isn’t just one open source software tool: it’s a free operating system based on Linux.

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(Source : http://www.ondd.or)

myMetro | TMpoint bergerak

TELEKOM Malaysia Berhad (TM) terus komited menawarkan lebih banyak kemudahan kepada orang ramai terutama pelanggan apabila memperkenalkan TMpoint on Wheels (TMOW) iaitu unit TMpoint bergerak yang menyediakan pelbagai perkhidmatan ditawarkan syarikat telekomunikasi itu. Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Kumpulannya, Datuk Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, berkata 15 unit TMOW disediakan dengan peruntukan kira-kira RM2.4 juta.

Beliau berkata, TMOW akan bergerak di seluruh negara termasuk Sabah dan Sarawak terutama di kawasan baru dan membangun yang tidak mempunyai premis TMpoint.

“Setiap TMOW menyediakan jualan produk dan perkhidmatan TM termasuk pembayaran bil, malah ia mempunyai ciri unik di mana TMOW turut mempunyai Klinik Jalur Lebar (Broadband Clinic) iaitu sudut khas untuk pelanggan mendapatkan khidmat nasihat mengenai Internet mereka.

“Selain itu, individu yang berada dalam lingkungan 50 meter dari TMOW juga akan dapat menikmati perkhidmatan WiFi percuma dan unit bergerak ini juga akan beroperasi pada hujung minggu,” katanya pada majlis pelancaran TMOW di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

Majlis pelancaran disempurnakan Menteri Penerangan, Komunikasi dan Kebudayaan, Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim dan Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (SKMM), Tan Sri Khalid Ramli. Zamzamzairani berkata, pihaknya yakin TMOW dapat mendekatkan TM dengan pelanggan, sekali gus menyediakan ruang untuk berinteraksi serta memenuhi keperluan masyarakat dan mewujudkan kesedaran mengenai teknologi komunikasi dan maklumat (ICT).

Antara perkhidmatan yang boleh didapati di TMOW termasuk perkhidmatan telefon untuk kediaman dan perniagaan (TM Homeline dan Businessline), perkhidmatan Internet (Streamyx), penjualan kelengkapan (set telefon, peralatan suara dan Internet), penjualan kad prabayar i-Talk, kutipan pembayaran bil TM dan khidmat pelanggan (aduan, pertanyaan dan khidmat nasihat).

Pelanggan juga boleh menjelaskan bil lain seperti Celcom, Astro, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) dan Syabas serta bil penguasa tempatan (cukai pintu) dan menambah nilai Touch n Go. Sejumlah 15 unit trak TMOW akan ditempatkan di semua negeri dan beroperasi setiap hari dari jam 10 pagi hingga jam 7 malam. Sebarang maklumat boleh melayari http://tmpoint.tm.com.my.

myMetro | TMpoint bergerak

Recent thoughts on IT in health care

"The proposed economic stimulus package provides billions over the next several years…the risks of misspending this money and having subpar results are real."

– Health Affairs 2009

"Successful IT strategies result in revenue enhancement, cost optimization, improved patient safety, quality of care, physician productivity, and staff satisfaction."

– Value of Healthcare IT White Paper, INTEL Corp. 2007

"Leadership survey findings show commitment to health care IT. EMR and CPOE cited as top issues."

– March 2009, www.himss.org

"It was found that less than 2% of hospitals had comprehensive and enterprise-wide EHR systems installed and in full usage."

– In recent surveys by the Harvard School of Public Health

(Source - Center for Continuing Professional Education)

EHR Overview - The Prospect of New Business

In 2007, 85% of small physician practices and 75% of medium and large physician practices in the United States still use paper medical records. Over the next few years, the wide-spread adoption of Electronic Health Records across all physician practices, regardless of size, will increasingly improve as EHRs become a necessity.

Physicians need to be more aggressive about improving both the efficiency and the effectiveness of their practices. It is imperative to use appropriate process improvement techniques and technology tools. Automating a bad process only makes things worse. Technology tools by themselves will not sufficiently improve the care setting.

The best approach for a physician practice is to first improve processes, where necessary, and then install a system that would create an Integrated Electronic Practice that addresses both the clinical and business needs of the practice in as seamless a fashion as possible. Most vendors have products to do both. EHR software addresses the clinical side and Practice Management software provides tools for the business needs of billing and collections, scheduling (patient, provider, equipment), and productivity and revenue analysis.

The vision for the Integrated Electronic Physician Practice is to have seamless interoperation between all offices of the physician practice and with the systems at the practice's affiliated hospitals, clinics, laboratories, etc. This holistic environment produces an up-to-date, accurate, and complete clinical picture of the patient that enables the best quality care to be provided regardless of where the patient is treated. It also allows the business side of the practice to run in a more effective and profitable manner.

(Source - EHR Overview Home)

BERNAMA - Kabinet Akan Putuskan Tarif Baru Elektrik Pada Rabu

KUALA LUMPUR, 23 Feb (Bernama) -- Kabinet akan memutuskan mengenai tarif baru elektrik pada Rabu, kata Menteri Tenaga, Teknologi Hijau dan Air Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui.

Beliau berkata kementeriannya telah mengemukakan kertas cadangan mengenai semakan tarif tenaga kepada Unit Perancang Ekonomi di Jabatan Perdana Menteri.

"Sekiranya Kabinet meluluskannya, akan terdapat kenaikan, tidak mungkin penurunan," kata beliau kepada pemberita pada majlis Tahun Baru Cina Tenaga Nasional Bhd di sini. Mengenai peratusan kenaikan, Chin berkata: "Saya tidak boleh beritahu kerana mungkin esok Kabinet membuat keputusan lain."

-- BERNAMA

BERNAMA - Kabinet Akan Putuskan Tarif Baru Elektrik Pada Rabu

BERNAMA - Kerajaan Cari Jalan Kurangkan Kos Pembinaan Hospital

KUALA LUMPUR, 23 Feb (Bernama) -- Kerajaan mahu mengurangkan kos pembinaan hospital di negara ini sehingga satu pertiga tanpa mengabaikan kualiti dan kemudahan yang disediakan, kata Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon. Sebagai contoh, kata beliau, Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak telah mengarahkan agar penanda aras bagi setiap katil harus diletakkan pada RM500,000 berbanding RM1.5 juta sekarang.

Kos setiap katil itu dikira berdasarkan jumlah kos keseluruhan pembinaan hospital dan dibahagikan dengan jumlah katil yang disediakan, katanya kepada pemberita selepas melancarkan persidangan antarabangsa 'Continuing Professional Development' bertema "Ke Arah Kejururawatan Bertaraf Dunia", di sini Selasa.

"Jika kos setiap katil sangat tinggi maka anda terpaksa mengenakan bayaran yang tinggi juga atau mengalami kerugian...dan dalam kes hospital kerajaan akan melibatkan duit pembayar cukai," katanya.

Bagaimanapun beliau enggan mendedahkan jumlah sebenar yang terpaksa ditanggung kerajaan apabila membina hospital baru sambil berkata soalan tersebut wajar diaju kepada Menteri Kesihatan Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

Koh berkata penyedia perkhidmatan kesihatan wajar mengutamakan nilai wang, mengurangkan kos dan mengurangkan kemewahan yang tidak perlu selaras dengan konsep 1Malaysia yang diperkenalkan kerajaan.

"Penekanan kedua adalah pembangunan manusia...bermakna adalah lebih baik (bagi penyedia perkhidmatan kesihatan) untuk berbelanja ke atas kepakaran tenaga kerja berbanding 'batu bata'," katanya.

Beliau berkata kerajaan sekarang memberi penekanan terhadap nilai bagi wang yang dibelanja dan kualiti sumber manusia dalam perkhidmatan kesihatan.

Koh juga berkata Malaysia masih perlu mengeluarkan lebih ramai jururawat dan paramedik pada pelbagai peringkat, terutamanya untuk memenuhi keperluan Klinik 1Malaysia.

"Jika dibuat perbandingan, kita mempunyai sekitar 150,000 petugas dalam perkhidmatan kesihatan kerajaan iaitu dengan nisbah lima bagi setiap 1,000 penduduk berbanding 1.5 juta di United Kingdom dengan nisbah 24 bagi setiap 1,000 orang," katanya.

Koh berkata walaupun begitu Malaysia berjaya muncul sebagai antara pembekal utama jururawat untuk negara-negara lain.

Justeru beliau mengalu-alukan inisiatif kolej kejururawatan International College of Health Sciences (ICHS) di Malaysia untuk meluaskan program dengan membina sebuah kampus baru di negara ini dan memperkenalkan ijazah dalam bidang kejururawatan.

Persidangan sulung selama tiga hari itu diadakan bagi menyediakan wahana untuk warga perkhidmatan kesihatan meningkatkan kemahiran dan kepakaran mereka dalam usaha mengangkat standard profesyen jururawat di negara ini. Persidangan itu dihadiri oleh lebih 200 petugas profesional dari hospital kerajaan dan swasta serta institusi perkhidmatan kesihatan.

BERNAMA - Kerajaan Cari Jalan Kurangkan Kos Pembinaan Hospital

1M'sia Clinics should be manned by docs: MMA | Daily Express Newspaper Online, Sabah, Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), the country's premier organisation representing doctors, lauds the Government's move in setting up 1Malaysia clinics for the urban poor, saying it is in line with the caring concept.

Its President, Dr David K L Quek, said while the MMA supported better, affordable and more accessible healthcare facilities for the public, the announcement that the 1Malaysia clinics were manned by medical assistants and nurses took many doctors by surprise.

Writing in his President's Column in the latest MMA bulletin, he said initially his personal opinion was that just 50 clinics around the country would have very little impact on any doctor's rice bowl but he was wrong as the Government's move had caused much anxiety and confusion among general practitioners.

"I have received, literally, hundreds of angry and condemning SMSs, and faxes and email demanding that the MMA address the issue which they felt had unfairly impacted their services. Almost every doctor who had complained believed this approach of using clinics to be run by medical assistants and nurses was wrong in law," he said.

He emphasised that the MMA strongly felt that all the 1Malaysia clinics should be manned by doctors, in line with the Medical Act, which dictates that all medical and health clinics be run only by registered doctors.

So far, the Government has set up 50 1Malaysia clinics in the urban areas to provide basic services like treating minor ailments and monitoring of diabetes and hypertension.

These clinics are manned by hospital assistants and nurses and periodically supervised by doctors.

Latest field reports indicate that these clinics are well received by the people and are becoming popular.

On the shortage of doctors, Dr Quek said the MMA believed that there was no real shortage but just a "misdistribution of resources".

He said the MMA understood that logistical problems resulting from the reluctance of doctors to be relocated to a more rural or remote location despite improved perks remained a challenge for the Ministry of Health.

Nevertheless, he added, it believed that a proper and fair deployment policy should be initiated to overcome the problem.

He said if the 1Malaysia clinics were now part of the expanded public healthcare system, then the MMA believed that even more public sector doctors would be willing to be deployed on rotation or as part of a training initiative for an enhanced family practice or general practice vocation.- Bernama

1M'sia Clinics should be manned by docs: MMA | Daily Express Newspaper Online, Sabah, Malaysia.

About ISO/TC215

Since 1998, ISO/TC215 Health Informatics has developed standards within the following scope:

• Standardization in the field of information for health, and Health Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to achieve compatibility and interoperability between independent systems.
• Ensures compatibility of data for comparative statistical purposes, (i.e. classifications) to reduce duplication of effort and redundancies.

The above diagram illustrates the current structure of the ISO/TC215, and its nine working groups.

ISO/TC215's current work program comprises over 130 items, which comprehensively cover the contemporary health information standards spectrum.

ISO/TC215:

• Hosts over 25 active participating (P-member) countries, including Canada, and a similar number of observing (O-member) countries.
• Maintains an extensive array of liaisons through its standards efforts, including but not limited to: HL7, the International Health Terminology Standards Development Organization (IHTSDO), the European Committee for Standardization (CEN)/TC251 – Health Informatics, and Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine Standards Committee (DICOM).
• Provides leadership to the Joint Initiative on SDO Global Health Informatics Standardization, including the Joint Initiative Council (JIC).
• The JIC consists of leaders from participating SDOs, including ISO/TC215, HL7, CEN, Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC) and IHTSDO.
• The JIC operates as a council of equals, and as liaison group under ISO/TC215.

ISO/TC215 and its working groups typically meet twice per year to develop standards and related guidance documents. This includes a Plenary Meeting in the spring and a Joint Working Group Meeting in the autumn. Additional out-of-cycle meetings are held as required; ad hoc meetings, in conjunction with ISO/TC215’s principal liaison SDO partners, HL7 and CEN/TC251, are also frequent.

For more information on the technical committee, ISO/TC215 – Health Informatics, please visit the ISO website.

Meaningful Use of EHRs - are hospitals ready? | Healthcare IT News

Ever since the release of the proposed final definition of Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records, as well as specifications for what constitutes a Certified EHR, we have been blogging about how this impacts physician practices who are interested in qualifying for incentive payments beginning in 2011. Our focus has been on ambulatory practices, and EHR systems geared toward them. But what about hospitals? Hospitals are also eligible for bonus payments for implementing EHRs, and the kinds of systems applicable to an inpatient setting are the subject of their attention. Unlike ambulatory practices, where EHR adoption has historically be quite low and adoption of EHR technology will often represent a new investment in technology not previously used, hospitals are typically already invested in legacy IT systems (often separate systems within their walls, such as lab systems, imaging/radiology systems, billing systems, and medical records systems).

The task for hospitals is more often to migrate to an EHR from a legacy system (or set of systems), and show hospital-based Meaningful Use somehow. The expectation, especially for hospitals, is that several pieces will need to be fit together to achieve Meaningful Use – for example, Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconness Hospital will likely need to cobble together 6 different systems to achieve the 25 different measures, as noted on their CIO’s recent blog.

Recently, a survey of hospitals by CSC shows that hospitals are only 50% compliant with the new EHR requirements. Their press release is interesting enough to want to quote it here (with their permission):

FALLS CHURCH, Va., Jan 4 -- According to a survey released today by CSC (NYSE: CSC) titled "Are Hospitals Ready for Meaningful Use of EHRs?" U.S. hospitals are only halfway to qualifying for government incentive payments aimed at controlling healthcare costs while improving the quality and effective delivery of patient care. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), hospitals will receive payments from Medicare and Medicaid starting in October 2010 for the successful implementation and effective use of electronic health records (EHRs). The goal is for hospitals to increase use of comprehensive EHR systems from 10 percent in 2009 to 55 percent by 2014, and the incentive payments are substantial: a typical 275 bed hospital would be eligible for approximately $6 million. Hospitals that do not meet federal guidelines by 2015 face reductions in Medicare reimbursement.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released draft rules on the EHR incentive plan today that revealed broad gaps between government expectations and the healthcare industry's ability to meet those expectations. The CSC report shows only two-thirds of hospitals have even taken the first step: Identifying gaps in their current systems to meet the requirements for meaningful use. One quarter of hospitals meet at least 70 percent of the readiness criteria from the survey. Hospitals have the highest readiness scores for privacy and security protection, while the use of required EHR capabilities is furthest behind.

"The definition of ‘meaningful use' is a very important step in the process of transforming healthcare with better information for better decisions," said Deward Watts, president of CSC's Healthcare Group. "In addition to getting substantial monetary rewards, meaningful use criteria will enable our nation's hospitals to reap the full benefit of EHRs and provide the safest level of care while reducing costs of delivering, reporting and paying for care."

Hospitals do not necessarily need to purchase additional hardware or software to move forward. For instance, CSC's survey shows 70 percent of hospitals have systems capable of supporting Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE), but only eight percent have CPOE throughout the hospital with at least 75 percent of orders being entered by physicians. No hospital under 100 beds had CPOE up and running in even two units, and none of the midsized hospitals (100 - 300 beds) had the system up and running throughout the hospital.

Additional findings include:

• Smaller hospitals have lower readiness scores especially for use of required applications and quality reporting;
• 54 percent are using the latest software version of their EHR product, which indicates upgrading might be required to meet the criteria for meaningful use;
• Although 89 percent report on core quality measures, only half capture the majority of the required data from their EHR system;
• The majority (98 percent) have a policy in place to limit the disclosure of protected health information, but only 52 percent employ encryption technologies to render data unreadable or unusable in the case of unauthorized access;
• Only 40 percent report that there is clear and broad awareness of the new civil and criminal penalties under the ARRA.

These findings came from a survey of executives from 58 hospitals and integrated health delivery networks of all sizes across the U.S. conducted by CSC. The respondents reported their readiness for HITECH incentives based on 50 indicators grouped into five general categories: Use of a certified product, current use of capabilities required for meaningful use, standards adoption, quality management and reporting, and privacy and security protection. To get a representative sample of hospitals, CSC collaborated with two state hospital associations and one hospital alliance to distribute the survey to their members. Additional surveys were obtained from CSC clients. All questions generated a "Yes" or "No" response and results were self-reported using a paper form or an online survey instrument. For complete results of the survey, visit www.csc.com/MUSurvey.

CSC's Healthcare Group, which serves healthcare providers, health plans, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, and allied industries around the world, is a global leader in transforming the healthcare industry through the effective use of information to improve healthcare outcomes, decision-making and operating efficiency.

(This blog originally appeared at Practice Fusion's EHR Bloggers.)

(Source-Meaningful Use of EHRs - are hospitals ready? | Healthcare IT News)

Five healthcare IT decisions to avoid | Healthcare IT News

Providers eager to capitalize on incentives offered through the federal government's definition of 'meaningful use' of healthcare IT may find themselves evaluating their relationships with existing and new IT vendors

Modifying an agreement with a vendor during the contract phases can be a crucial step to aligning IT projects with federal incentive funds, said Jeffery Daigrepont, senior VP at Coker Group. "Many vendors offer a money back guarantee if their product does not comply with stimulus," Daigrepont said. "Every contract should have a warranty that requires a vendor to correct defects at their expenses and under NO circumstances should you ever sign a contract without being entitled to future upgrades and new releases."

Daigrepont, who has no financial ties with any vendors, provided Healthcare IT News with his list of five healthcare IT decisions to avoid:

1. Buying defective software - It may not be your fault, but it's your problem. Defects in software range from minor glitches to major liabilities. Most defects can be corrected, or workarounds developed. However, in cases where the defect creates a threat to security or patient safety, or a liability to the organization, the defect MUST be addressed immediately and/or use must be discontinued -- just as Toyota has had to do with their cars' sticking gas pedals.

2. Buying non-compliant software - Your entire organization is expecting the software to meet national standards or federal mandates, but the vendor fails to develop their product in accordance to these guidelines. In the case of stimulus incentives, being disqualified becomes a possibility. Moreover, penalties for not adopting could be enforced.

3. Not seeing the writing on the wall - Your system is installed, working and meeting the needs of the organization, but your vendor has commercially discontinued the product and is no longer creating enhancements. In short, you're on a sinking ship. Not acting or refusing to accept the obvious is only delaying the unavoidable reality of having to rip out and replace your system.

4. One-offs - A "one-off" occurs when you cave to pressure from a department or individual who needs a specific IT solution to fill gaps around the existing program. In some cases, you have no other option, but there can be some trap doors when doing this. It's always best to first see if there is a workflow workaround or if there can be a behavior change by those who feel they must have their own solution.

5. Going live with an incomplete system - The pressure to go live on a new system is often driven by a vendor who is trying to recognize revenue by burning through the hours in the budget so they can get to the next install. The system (in some cases) was not properly tested before going live. As a result, the users or physicians get first bitten by a bad experience or worse, backsliding starts to occur. This can be avoided by adopting a simple plan called "DBVT" (Design, Build, Validate, Test). For example, design your order form, build your order form, validate the build with end users, test the form with end users. This exercise will help you avoid proceeding with an incomplete system design.

(Source: Five healthcare IT decisions to avoid | Healthcare IT News)

Windows 7 RC's Shutdown Cycle Nearly Here

Free use of the Windows 7 Release Candidate's days are numbered.

Beginning Sunday, people who downloaded and installed the free test version of Microsoft Windows 7, known as the release candidate, were scheduled to start receiving messages warning of shutdowns. The bi-hourly shutdowns will start on March 1, and the release candidate will expire completely on June 1, 2010.

(Source : Windows 7 RC's Shutdown Cycle Nearly Here)

AHIMA Academy for ICD-10: Building Expert Trainers in Diagnosis and Procedure Coding | AHIMA

Experience a dynamic training program that uses various teaching methods to help coding professionals become proficient in coding with the ICD-10-CM/PCS coding systems while preparing them to train other coding professionals in these systems. The academy includes a combination of online courses (self-paced) and face-to-face training. The online courses provide basic training in ICD-10-CM and/or ICD-10-PCS and are required to be completed prior to the workshops.

Each workshop focuses on engaging the trainer with in-class intermediate and advanced ICD-10-CM/PCS coding exercises, while modeling training techniques.

(Source - AHIMA Academy for ICD-10: Building Expert Trainers in Diagnosis and Procedure Coding | AHIMA)

IHE.net IHE Integration Statements

Developers of commercial and open source healthcare IT systems can publish IHE Integration Statements to indicate their systems' conformance with specifications in the IHE Technical Frameworks. The Integration Statement specifies the IHE capabilities of a system in terms of the key concepts of IHE: Actors and Profiles.

New: IHE Product Registry

IHE has developed a new Web-based database of Integration Statements. The IHE Product Registry--http://product-registry.ihe.net/--enables developers to create, manage and publish Integration Statements for their commercial and open source healthcare IT systems. It allows users to browse for these systems based on their conformance with specific IHE Actors and Profiles. The system is open for use by developers and users now!

The links below lead to IHE Integration Statements published by the companies listed. These links will be maintained until January 2010. Developers are strongly encouraged to migrate information for their Integration Statements into the Product Registry.

• Acuo Technologies
• Agfa HealthCare
• ALERT Life Sciences Computing
• Allscripts
• Aspyra, Inc.
• aycan Digitalsysteme GmbH
• BlueWare, Inc.
• Canon Medical Systems
• Carestream Health
• Caribel Programmazione S.r.l.
• Cedara Software
• CEGEDIM
• Cerner Corporation
• Cerner (known as Image Devices a Cerner Company)
• CHILI GmbH
• CMT Medical Technologies Ltd.
• Codonics
• Consorzio di Bioingegneria e Informatica Medica
• D.A.T.A. Corporation
• digiChart, Inc.
• DR Systems
• Dynamic Imaging
• EDL
• EL.CO. s.r.l.
• Emageon
• e-MDs
• Engineering Sanità Enti Locali Spa
• ENOVACOM
• Epic Systems Corporation
• Esaote
• ETIAM
• Forcare BV
• Fujifilm Medical Systems USA
• GE Medical Systems
• GIE Convergence-Profils
• GIP CPAGE
• GEMED mbH
• Global Imaging OnLine
• Greenway Medical Technologies
  
• HIPAAT, Inc.
• Hologic
• Hx Technologies
• IASI Srl
• IBM
• icoserve information technologies GmbH
• ICT Embedded B.V.
• IMAGINE EDITIONS
• IMS s.r.l.
• Initiate Systems, Inc.
• InSiteOne, Inc.
• Institut de Diagnostic per la Imatge
• Intelerad
• InterComponentWare AG
• iSOFT
• IZASA
• Karl Storz GmbH & Co KG
• Kryptiq
• Lincoln
• Lumedx Corp
• McKesson Information Solutions
• MEDASYS SA
• Medcon
• MEDICARES groupe ARES
• MEDIMON Ltd.
• Medis Medical Imaging Systems
• METU Software
• Microsoft
• MillenSys
• Misys
• NoemaLife S.p.A. (ex Dianoema)
• Omnilab
• Oracle
• Orion Health Limited
• Orthocrat
• PacsCube
• Philips Medical Systems
• ProSolv CardioVascular
• QRS Diagnostic
• QuadraMed
• Quovadx
• RADinfo Systems
• Rasna Imaging Systems
• Rogan-Delft
• Sage Software
• santeos
• ScImage
• Sectra
• Siemens Medical Solutions
• SNR
• Softmedical
• Soluzioni Informatiche srl
• Stryker Imaging
• Sun Microsystems
• superDimension
• Swissray
• Synapsis
• Syncro-Med
• synedra information technologies
• T-Systems Austria GesmbH
• T2 Technology Groupe FPS
• TECHNIDATA SAS
• Telecom Italia S.p.A
• TELEMIS S.A.
• Tiani-Spirit Gmbh
• TOREX GAP Medical Systems
• Toshiba Medical Systems
• TrakHealth Limited
• TSG Integrations
  
• TSI groupe europMedica
• UDIAT Centre Diagnòstic S. A.
• Visage Imaging
• VISUS Technology Transfer GmbH

Contact registry@ihe.net with questions about IHE Integration Statements or the IHE Product Registry.

(Source : IHE.net IHE Integration Statements)

IHTSDO: January 2010 International Release of SNOMED CT

Copenhagen, Denmark; January 2010 – The first 2010 International Release of SNOMED Clinical Terms^® (SNOMED CT^®) will be available for use on January 29, 2010, incorporating enhancements that are part of on-going efforts directed towards facilitating the use of the terminology in electronic health records.

SNOMED CT is a standardized clinical terminology which facilitates the consistent capture, exchange and aggregation of health data. The International Health Terminology Standards Development Organisation (IHTSDO^®) releases updates to the International Release of SNOMED CT twice per year to ensure that the terminology reflects the latest clinical knowledge and evolving user needs. The January 2010 release of SNOMED CT includes numerous content enhancements, including:

(a) Streamlined Documentation

The IHTSDO has begun to convert documentation for the SNOMED CT International Release into the DITA (Darwin Information Typing Architecture) standard. Once fully implemented, this will improve the process for maintaining and generating these documents, and make it possible to release SNOMED CT documentation in additional formats, such as HTML.

For the January 2010 International Release, three documents have been generated using DITA: one new document, the SNOMED CT Stated Relationships Guide, and two previously released documents, the SNOMED CT User Guide and the SNOMED CT Technical Reference Guide.

(b) New Content Additions

1,728 clinical concept codes were added for the January 2010 International Release. In addition, 134 SNOMED CT Model Component metadata concept codes were created and will be released as part of a Technology Preview, but are not included in the official International Release.

(c) Updated Content

Content in a number of areas of SNOMED CT has been updated to make use of the terminology more effective. Examples include:

• Content additions as part of an operational trial of a division of labor in laboratory test terminology development being undertaken with LOINC and NPU;
• Revision to the logical definitions of situation concept codes;
• Updates to the Situation with explicit context hierarchy so that the logic definitions can be consistently used for both pre- and post-coordination;
• Modeling of evaluations findings and evaluation procedures to review and sufficiently define content in these hierarchies, as well as to align logic definitions with new editorial policies;
• Retirement of ambiguous codes related to severity in the Qualifier value hierarchy; and
• Progress in populating the HAS DOSE FORM attribute for about 800 concept codes in the substance hierarchy.

(d) January 2010 Technology Preview

In preparation for adoption of the new “RF2” release format, it will be necessary to add a new concept hierarchy, consisting of metadata concept codes, to the Concepts table. These metadata concept codes are not part of the clinical content of SNOMED CT, but will be needed in order for the clinical content to be distributed using the RF2 format.

These changes do not affect the official January 2010 International Release, but are being included in the January 2010 Technology Previews. These previews provide versions of the January 2010 International Release content in both the current (RF1) and new (RF2) release formats. Based on feedback from the Community of Practice, the IHTSDO will determine the release date at which these changes will be incorporated into the official SNOMED CT International Release.

(Source: IHTSDO: January 2010 International Release of SNOMED CT)

Police finalising papers on Sekinchan rep accident

KUALA LUMPUR: Police are finalising their investigations into an accident involving Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim and a Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) student on Feb 7.

Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said the investigation papers on the case would be forwarded to the Attorney-General’s Chambers soon for further action.

“We are finalising the report,” he told reporters after opening the Taman Ampang Utama police beat base here on Wednesday.

He declined to elaborate but said that there were recommendations that Ng be charged for negligence.

In the incident at about 11.50pm, Ng, who was driving a Nissan X-Trail SUV, was said to have hit the student, Mohd Bakri Mohd Bazli, 23, who was riding a motorcycle at a traffic light junction in Section 7, Shah Alam.

The student has been admitted to the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital and remains in serious but stable condition.

(Source : Police finalising papers on Sekinchan rep accident)

UiTM berikrar penuhi hasrat PM

KUALA LUMPUR 13 Feb. - Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) berikrar memastikan hasrat Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yang mahukan institusi berkenaan menyediakan 5,000 tempat untuk pelajar miskin dan anak yatim setiap tahun menjadi kenyataan.

Naib Canselor UiTM, Prof. Datuk Ir. Dr. Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar berkata, ia penting kerana idea Perdana Menteri itu jelas menunjukkan keprihatinan kerajaan terhadap nasib para pelajar miskin dan anak yatim.

"Melalui program ini kita dapat memberi peluang kepada anak-anak kaum bumiputera yang miskin untuk mendapat tempat di institusi pengajian tinggi awam (IPTA) serta berjaya dalam hidup mereka kelak," katanya ketika dihubungi Mingguan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Perdana Menteri mencadangkan perkara tersebut semasa merasmikan Kampus UiTM Puncak Alam Fasa Satu di Shah Alam, semalam.

Menurut Najib, jika ia dapat dilakukan, 20,000 pelajar miskin terdiri daripada anak pekebun, anak yatim, nelayan dan anak kakitangan pembantu am rendah akan berpeluang belajar di IPTA.

Ketika ditanya apakah tindakan susulan UiTM, Sahol berkata, pihaknya akan mengadakan kempen di setiap negeri bagi mengenal pasti dan mencari calon yang bebar-benar layak.

"Kita sendiri akan mencari mereka (pelajar miskin) di seluruh pelosok negeri, manakala soal pengambilan dan penempatan di UiTM, kita tidak ada masalah," katanya.

Jelas beliau, jumlah pelajar yang dicadangkan oleh Perdana Menteri tersebut amat relevan dan tidak mendatangkan sebarang masalah terhadap UiTM untuk memenuhinya.

Tambah Sahol, UiTM sememangnya dalam usaha untuk meningkatkan pengambilan para pelajarnya daripada 130,000 sekarang kepada 200,000 pada tahun 2015.

"Kita mempunyai kakitangan yang cukup untuk kempen itu dan akan memastikan hanya yang benar-benar layak akan dipilih," katanya.

Katanya, kebanyakan pelajar miskin ini amat berpotensi jika diberikan peluang yang betul.

"Jika ada yang tidak cukup syarat kemasukan kita akan ambil juga tetapi akan diletakkan dalam program Kursus Peralihan selama enam bulan agar mereka berupaya meningkatkan syarat yang dikehendaki.

"Kita juga akan menumpukan kepada pelajar miskin lepasan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) yang tercicir ke dalam lulusan diploma dan setanding dengannya," katanya.

Menurut beliau, UiTM akan memberikan tumpuan secara individu terhadap setiap kes pelajar ini untuk memastikan mereka tidak tercicir.

Beliau turut mengingatkan orang ramai yang berkemampuan agar tidak mengambil kesempatan itu untuk 'menangguk di air yang keruh'.

"Kita ada cara dan sistem untuk mengenalpasti pelajar yang benar-benar miskin, tolong bagi peluang kepada golongan miskin untuk belajar tinggi seterusnya mengubah nasib keluarga mereka," katanya.

Utusan Malaysia Online - Kampus

195 Kematian Sepanjang Ops Sikap-21

KUALA LUMPUR 21 Feb. - Ops Sikap Ke-21 sempena Tahun Baru Cina yang akan berakhir esok menyaksikan 12 lagi kematian dicatatkan dalam tempoh 24 jam semalam.Ketua Trafik Pasukan Bukit Aman, Datuk Abdul Aziz Yusof berkata, ini menjadikan jumlah keseluruhan kematian yang dicatatkan kini meningkat kepada 195 orang.

Daripada jumlah itu, penunggang dan pembonceng motosikal masih mencatatkan angka kematian tertinggi iaitu sembilan orang.

Tiga lagi kematian, katanya, masing-masing membabitkan pengguna motokar, lori dan jip.

Beliau berkata, 847 kemalangan dilaporkan berlaku di seluruh negara semalam.

"Jalan bandaran mencatatkan jumlah kemalangan tertinggi iaitu sebanyak 393 kes, diikuti 207 kes di jalan Persekutuan, jalan negeri (146), lebuh raya (64) dan jalan-jalan lain (37)".

"Sepanjang tempoh 24 jam semalam, lapan kemalangan maut dicatatkan di jalan negeri dan masing-masing dua kematian berlaku di jalan Persekutuan dan bandaran," katanya dalam kenyataan yang dikeluarkan di sini hari ini.

Bagaimanapun, menurut Abdul Aziz, jumlah saman yang dikeluarkan pihaknya menunjukkan penurunan apabila hanya 5,586 saman yang dikeluarkan semalam. Ops Sikap ke-21 yang bermula pada 7 Februari lalu, berakhir hari ini.

(Sumber : Utusan Malaysia Online - Dalam Negeri)

Al Jazeera English - Middle East - Israel drones 'could target Iran'

Beranikah israel menyerang Iran...

Al Jazeera English - Middle East - Israel drones 'could target Iran'

Al Jazeera English - Middle East - Iranian scientists clone goat

Iranian scientists have cloned a goat and plan future experiments they hope will lead to a treatment for stroke patients.

The female goat, named Hana, was born early on Wednesday in the city of Isfahan in central Iran.

"With the birth of Hana, Iran is among five countries in the world cloning a baby goat," said Isfahani, an embryologist. Mohammed Hossein Nasr e-Isfahani, head of the Royan Research Institute, said.

He said his institute's main aim in cloning the goat is to produce medicine to be used to treat people who have had strokes.

In 2006 Iran became the first country in the Middle East to announce it had cloned a sheep.

The effort is part of Iran's quest to become a regional powerhouse in advanced science and technology by 2025. In particular, Iran is striving for achievements in medicine and in aerospace and nuclear technology.

Al Jazeera English - Middle East - Iranian scientists clone goat

Interoperability in health information systems

Introduction

Interoperability is integrated connectivity. Interoperability enables data and information generated by one system to be accessed and (re-)used in a meaningful way by another system, whether or not the latter system is based on different technologies.

Interopability in computerised healthcare information systems lags far behind other (arguably less complex and variable) domains such as finance and transport. Many implemented health information technologies, such as electronic patient records, have tended to be local, proprietary and insular. Many systems in use weren't designed to communicate with others (whether inside or outside individual health provider organisations), so don't.

However, interopability, using open standards to support information and data exchange, has become a very significant issue for health information technology developers and implementers. It is probably the major concern of all national governments implementing or promoting the implementation of national health information networks and infrastructures.

Interoperability covers health and patient information, clinical knowledge and workflow, and technical matters such as architecture, messaging, interfacing knowledge and data representation, and security (data privacy, confidentiality, individual and organisation identifiers ...). Standards designed to support interoperability and national policy documents are covered in more detail elsewhere on Open Clinical (see links below). These include standards for communication, messaging, data transfer (DICOM for medical images, HL7 for electronic patient referrals, lab. requests and results); data representation standards (ASTM Continuity of Care Record, HL7 Clinical Document Architecture; medical terminologies and classifications (representing clinical data, drugs, lab. tests ...) electronic patient record architecture, structure, format (EHRcom, openEHR ...).

Definitions

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE, USA) defines interoperability as:

"the ability of two or more systems or components to exchange information and to use the information that has been exchanged". [IEEE-USA]

In Europe, IDABC - Interoperable Delivery of European eGovernment Services to public Administrations, Businesses and Citizens - offers the following similar definition (edited for clarity):

"Interoperability means the ability of information and communication technology (ICT) systems ... to exchange data and enable the sharing of information and knowledge." [IDABC]

The National Alliance for Health Information Technology (NAHIT, USA) expands a little on the above definitions:

"In healthcare, interoperability is the ability of different information technology systems and software applications to communicate, to exchange data accurately, effectively, and consistently, and to use the information that has been exchanged. " [NAHIT]

Benefits

For health professionals:

• Improve access to health record data and health information anytime, anywhere.

For patients:

• Improve quality and safety of care by improving data exchange, the quality of data flow and access to information by health professionals thereby potentially reducing errors.

For health managers:

• Improve data collection and facilitate statistical and economic analysis.

For health researchers:

• Improve and increase the availability of medical data.

For the healthcare technology industry:

• Improve access to the healthcare market for more companies (SMEs in particular who may be limited in their ability to provide technologies which can integrate with an organisation's legacy systems).

Issues

• Without interoperability, fundamental data and information such as patient records can't easily be shared across and sometimes within enterprises.

• Achieving interoperability in a domain where information technologies, where they have been deployed in routine practice, may not have been designed to support it.

• Many standards to support interoperability are only just now being developed - after many HIT systems have been installed.

• Where HIT standards do exist they may also compete, making interoperability more difficult to achieve.

• A lot of computerised clinical data are stored in ageing legacy systems in proprietary formats which are dificult for other systems to access, re-represent and transfer for (re)use. (The use of proprietary formats may also lock customers into specific information systems.)

• Implementation of interoperable health information systems may require a high degree of technical expertise not readily available to small organisations in particular.

(Source : http://www.openclinical.org)