ABSTRACT
Different approaches are available for the integration of existing health information systems (HIS) in integration projects. Within the PlugIT project in Finland, we have found it necessary to design and implement integration in a collaborative, multidisciplinary and open way. In this paper, we use some generic integration models and relate them to the methods, solutions and experiences of the project. We summarize the results from nine integration teams, methods development and supporting surveys and studies, and discuss these experiences to provide some guidelines for the HIS integration projects in general.
Subject(s)
Information Systems/organization & administration , Software , Systems Integration , Hospital Information Systems/organization & administration , Software DesignABSTRACT
In this paper, we extend our previous work for defining interoperability for health information systems into proposed documentation levels for specifying integration, and a model for defining various interoperability aspects in collaboration between integrators, health service providers and system providers. We are using these models in defining solutions for a set of different integration needs in PlugIT project in Finland. We propose collaborative definition and clear levels of integration specifications to promote adequacy, consistency and efficiency of integration solutions and software component specifications in health information systems.
Subject(s)
Delivery of Health Care/organization & administration , Information Systems/organization & administration , Systems Integration , Finland , Information Systems/standardsABSTRACT
Integration of the heterogeneous application systems in healthcare is needed to support the clinical and administrative work, patient-centric care, regional interoperability and utilisation of both valuable legacy systems and new technologies. The integration activity is complicated, and must be supported by flexible processes and methods. The integration methods should support the evaluation and specification of different integration approaches, standards and technologies on many interoperability levels. We introduce a process for specifying many integration decisions for a given integration situation. The process is part of an integration method, which is validated in PlugIT project in Finland.
