Matthias Frohner

Applicability of IHE/Continua components for PHR systems

Capturing personal health data using smartphones, PCs or other devices, and the reuse of the data in personal health records (PHR) is becoming more and more attractive for modern health-conscious populations. This paper analyses interoperability specifications targeting standards-based communication of computer systems and personal health devices (e.g. blood pressure monitor) in healthcare from initiatives like Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) and Continua Health Alliance driven by industry and healthcare professionals. Furthermore it identifies certain contradictions and gaps in the specifications and suggests possible solutions. Despite these shortcomings, the specifications allow fully functional implementations of PHR systems. Henceforth, both big business and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can actively contribute to the widespread use of large-scale interoperable PHR systems.

Development of an Android App in Compliance with the Continua Health Alliance Design Guidelines for Medical Device Connectivity in mHealth

Due to the demographic change and rising amount of people suffering from lifestyle induced chronic diseases, developed countries face a remarkable cost explosion in the health care sector. Additionally a lack of nursing workforce has been predicted [1]. mHealth solutions are seen as a chance for individuals to keep track of their health condition, to take more responsibility for their lifestyle and to improve the efficiency of care by providing high quality data to formal and informal careers and health professionals. In order to implement these mHealth solutions a high level of standardization is necessary for easy and quick integration of personal health devices (e.g. blood pressure monitor, blood glucose meter) with gateway devices (e.g. smart-phones) and electronic health record (EHR) systems. The Continua Health Alliance Design Guidelines describe a set of internationally established standards and frameworks for this purpose. This paper describes the experience gained during the development of an Android application which is capable of communicating via Bluetooth using the Health Device Profile and the ISO/IEEE 11073-20601 Optimized Exchange Protocol. The WAN interface uses the IHE DEC and XUA profiles in order to securely forward health data to health professionals. Building on existing modules from earlier project phases a Continua Health Alliance compliant Android app using commercially available components was implemented within one month by a team of two developers. Therefore it seems feasible for SMEs to build mHealth applications for these purposes from a technical point of view. Additional effort for regulatory purposes needs to be considered.

The adolescence of electronic health records: Status and perspectives for large scale implementation

Health informatics started to evolve decades ago with the intention to support healthcare using computers. Since then Electronic health records (EHRs) and personal health records (PHRs) have become available but widespread adoption was limited by lack of interoperability and security issues. This paper discusses the feasibility of interoperable standards based EHRs and PHRs drawing on experience from implementation projects. It outlines challenges and goals in education and implementation for the next years.

Structured workflow achieving interoperable smart energy systems

Interoperability is the key to Smart Grids and thereby to enable the energy transmission towards 100% renewable energy sources. The project Integrating the Energy System (IES) Austria adopted the holistic methodology to achieve interoperable systems, established in the medical IT and standardized in ISO DTR 28380–1, for the energy domain. The poster will outline the adopted process and the lessons learned when first trial Integration Profiles were specified and tested at the Connectathon Europe 2018, in The Hague, Netherlands. The methodology is found applicable to Smart Energy systems. Interoperability testing and profile integration validation were successfully implemented. The specification of new Integration Profiles, to be presented and tested at the Connectathon Energy 2019, is in progress.

Organ Telemonitoring in Ex-vivo Nutrition Circulation of Porcine Lungs Using Interoperability Standards

Abstract This paper discusses existing communication standards in the field of medicine and their applicability for a telemonitoring system for a mobile circulatory module. This module hosts an explanted porcine lung during transportation from the explantation site to a laboratory environment. The telemonitoring modules must enable to assess the wellbeing of the lung and the survival of the tissue as expressed in basic parameters that are measured in the circulation and nutrition module like liquid pressure, liquid flow and temperature. The parameter readings need to be displayed for monitoring purposes on a tablet-PC. Thresholds for parameters shall be set remotely and exceedance of these thresholds shall trigger the transfer of alarm messages to the tablet-PC. The goal of this work is to evaluate existing interoperability standards according to these requirements in order to select a set of standards that will then be used for implementation of the system. Standards that have identified and examined are ISO/IEEE 11073-20601, HL7 Version 2.x and ANT+. It was found that existing standards support large parts of the requirements. However detailed gap analysis will be necessary as the implementation continues.