Front Office / MRM   Back Office   PACS

HMIS is one of the fewest applications that have an independent platform and database that serve as a complete Client/Server application capable of running on almost any hardware platform and accessing databases. At RHUH, HMIS uses the Oracle database as a database engine. The database is operated on a Windows 2003 Server.The updating of the database is done online in real-time such that data is always up to date in all modules. For querying the database, the inquiry builder feature of the system is used for that purpose. Also, SQL language can be used to answer queries which are done by the IT department when the query required is difficult to be written by users or cannot be solved by using the system wizard.

As for Centricity RIS/PACS system, it uses Sybase and Oracle database. The RIS operates on a Windows 2000 servers where as PACS is operated on UNIX.It is important to note that this system is integrated with HMIS.

To manage its data, the IT department is responsible for two secured data centers in which electronic archives are stored

The hospital mostly uses IBM computers, servers, as well as HP Compaq Pentium 4 PCs and laptops.Also, PDAs are used by doctors in the hospital to access patient information.

Network and Interface Technology:

In general,HMIS can be run in either host-based mode (i.e. text mode on AS/400) or Client/Server mode in which the server can be PC server, UNIX based, or AS/400 and the Client can be Windows9X, Windows NT or Windows 2000. At RHUH, HMIS runs on a client/server mode whereby the server runs on Windows 2003 Server and the Clients run on Windows XP. A Wireless LAN connects the entire infrastructure and provides access to the system as well as to the Internet. The IT department was involved in the design and building of the entire network that supports the system. The 3-tiered architecture links the computer hardware with the network OS then with application servers up to HMIS through VLANs. The LAN connects all departments including the kitchen, to which the patients’ diets are sent automatically from the Nursing module. Moreover, the wireless network supports the use of PDAs by all doctors working at the hospital to access the system specifically patient records and tests results anytime and from anywhere. Moreover Centricity and HMIS are also connected through interface layers to the hospital machines in the Laboratory and Radiology departments. HMIS already has a module that allows for the interface with PACS and laboratory instruments and other medical machines. This is possible because of the open architecture on which HMIS was built on.

HMIS provides a complete Internet-Intranet solution in accordance with the hospital specific requirements. It has the ability to run on web-enabled mode in addition to the traditional Client/Server mode. In fact, the hospital uses an Intranet for internal communication built using the Windows Sharepoint Services which provides access to the system, and access to hospital information through the hospital portal that can be launched from any client PC.

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