A data-gathering broker as a future-orientated approach to supporting EPR users

Rigby, Michael; Budgen, David; Turner, Mark; Kotsiopoulos, Ioannis; Brereton, Pearl; Keane, John; Bennett, Keith; Russell, Michelle; Layzell, Paul; Zhu, Fujun

Abstract

With the continued expansion of electronic patient record systems ahead of comprehensive evidence, metrics, or future-proofing, health informatics in Europe and beyond is embarking on a faith-driven adventure that also risks data swamping of end-users. An alternative approach is an information broker system, drawing from departmental data sources. A 3-year study in health and social care has produced a first demonstrator which can search for specified information in heterogeneous distributed data stores, with source-specific permission can copy it, and then merge the search results into one integrated picture in a real-time process which is also captured in an audit system. The research project has addressed a number of issues during the study, including updating the concepts of role-based access, semantic interoperability, and harnessing web-based services bound at the time of need. A demonstrator now exists, and provides a platform for further application and development research. This paper summarises how this opens up a viable alternative approach for the next generation of health record systems, enabling record searching and integration as and when it is needed for specific patient-related purposes, whilst being independent of organisations, diagnostic approaches, or service delivery structures, and reducing the risks of data swamping. © 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Citation

Rigby, M., Budgen, D., Turner, M., Kotsiopoulos, I., Brereton, P., Keane, J., Bennett, K., Russell, M., Layzell, P., & Zhu, F. (2007). A data-gathering broker as a future-orientated approach to supporting EPR users. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 76(2-3), 137-144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2006.07.012

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2007
• Deposit Date: Feb 22, 2025
• Journal: International Journal of Medical Informatics
• Print ISSN: 1386-5056
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 76
• Issue: 2-3
• Pages: 137-144
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2006.07.012
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3500876