Development a New HL7 Interface Engine for Large-size Messages which Include Image Data based on Tree Structure and Streaming Algorithm / 대한의료정보학회지

The almost existing commercial HL7 interface engines apply the string array method which is run in the main memory to HL7 message parsing process. But, if the HL7 message is big, this method will be possible to cause the computer system to raise critical and fatal problems because a long string array can carry a too heavy load to the main memory and the processor. Therefore, the image and the multi-media data which are needed for the modern medical records could be limited to be included into a HL7 message because the size is usually too big in comparison with the main body of a HL7 message and in result, it make the size of the HL7 message expanded. The purpose of this study is to suggest a new HL7 interface algorithm which can solve this problem by the method of the 'Streaming Algorithm'. This new method for HL7 message parsing apply the character-stream object which process character by character between the main memory and hard disk device with the consequence that the processing load on main memory could be alleviated. The main functions of this new engine are generating, parsing, validating, browsing, sending, and receiving of message. And also, this can parse and generate XML-formated HL7 message. This engine had been practically tested in the Discharge Summary Information Exchange System between Kyungpook National University Hospital and Chonnam National University Hospital for the purpose of proofing its usability for a month. Overall, the preliminary results of this test is considered as good, but it is pointed out that some improvement is needed relating to the speed of parsing which was predicted because this engine partly used the memory of hard disk device instead of the main memory.

Development of HL7 Message Browser Based on Web Environment / 대한의료정보학회지

We have developed a prototype HL7(Health Level 7) message browser for web based healthcare networking. Because most of commercial HL7 interface tools have high price, the purpose of this study is to provide a message tool for those who are willing to exchange clinical data in an e fficient and cost-effective manner. The present development is based on HL7 v. 2.3.1 using HTML and JAVA servlet to be implemented on web environment. The preliminary results include 1) input message, 2) parsing and inter pretation via web browse r with HTML and XML, and 3) transf erring message to another site through the socket communication. Although we have found more efficient performance than we expected with numerous encouraging results, error correcting mechanism needs to be improved continuously throughout the on-going project development.