Models Supporting Development of Complex Information Systems in Healthcare. Case study: an Obstetrics-Gynecology Department

Abstract

Objectives: The paper presents a framework and tools for developing models useful for implementing complex Information Systems. It presents a case study for an Obstetrics- Gynecology Department and connected departments. The advantages of using models for creating complex OGD Information Systems together with a standardized communication will lead to an advanced interoperability and also will have benefits in patient care and in time will reduce the medical errors. Methods: This paper presents the modeling process using the Generic Component Model (GCM) in four steps. The real OGD system is described based on the five RMODP (Reference Model of Open Distributed Processing) views. The paper presents the Obstetrics-Gynecology Department model based on the real workflow using Business Process Modeling and Notation and a specialized software - Bizagy. Communication between OGD and other medical units is based on HL7 Clinical Document Architecture CDA. The Obstetrics-Gynecology Department Information System (OGD IS) is developed based on the model, in Visual Studio.NET 2010, using ASP.NET pages and C] language, and Microsoft SQL Server 2008. Results: The paper presents a model represented with Business Process Modeling and Notation and its possibilities to offer support for software developers to create flexible and portable information systems. Based on the workflow in the OGD, including the communication between OGD and other medical units, was developed a model and consequently the OGD IS. Conclusions: For the future, the OGD IS will be extended with new functionalities: possibilities to introduce medication related to a Database in the cloud to receive suggested treatments. The advantages of using the OGD IS are reflected in a better patient care, and the treatments will be more documented which will determine less medical errors.