William P. Lord

PACS/information systems interoperability using Enterprise Communication Framework

Interoperability among healthcare applications goes beyond connectivity to allow components to exchange structured information and work together in a predictable, coordinated fashion. To facilitate building an interoperability infrastructure, an Enterprise Communication Framework (ECF) was developed by the members of the Andover Working Group for Healthcare Interoperability (AWG-OHI). The ECF consists of four models: Use Case Model, Domain Information Model (DIM), Interaction Model and Message Model. To realize this framework, a software component called the Enterprise Communicator (EC) is used. We demonstrate the use of the framework in interoperating a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) with a radiology information system (RIS).

Security for the digital information age of medicine: Issues, applications, and implementation

Privacy and integrity of medical records is expected by patients. This privacy and integrity is often mandated by regulations. Traditionally, the security of medical records has been based on physical lock and key. As the storage of patient record information shifts from paper to digital, new security concerns arise. Digital cryptographic methods provide solutions to many of these new concerns. In this paper we overview new security concerns, new legislation mandating secure medical records and solutions providing security.

Enterprise communication framework as a means to PACS/information systems interoperability

Interoperability among healthcare applications goes beyond connectivity to allow components to exchange structured information, and to work together in a predictable, coordinated fashion. To facilitate building an interoperability infrastructure an Enterprise Communication Framework (ECF) was developed by the members of the Andover Working Group for Healthcare Interoperability. The ECF consists of four models, (1) the use case model, (2) the domain information model, (3) the interaction model, and (4) the message model. To realize this framework, a software component called the enterprise communicator is used. In this paper we will demonstrate the use of the framework in interoperating a PACS with a radiology information system.

Design of a multimedia system for multispecialty medical conferences

In this paper we present the methods and results of a workflow study of a multi-specialty cardiology conference, preliminary design concepts for a digital cardiac conference room, and a component that is anticipated for a complete implementation. Workflow studies at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center were performed to understand its traditional catheterization conference work procedures and processes. These studies involved observing and interviewing people that prepare, present, and attend the conference. The workflow investigation gave insight into current drawbacks. Scenarios were then generated that described potential new designs of the cardiac catheterization conference.Knowledge gained from the workflow studies, and feedback from UCSF physicians whose reviewed the digital conference room scenarios led to the final system design. We have prototype one of the components of the design: a software tool for improved presentation of dynamic images. This tool has been implemented in Java and is therefore platform independent.