A Platform for Innovation and Standards Evaluation: a Case Study from the OpenMRS Open-Source Radiology Information...

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Open-Source Software Development
• Global Health Radiology

Background:

• Proprietary systems may delay adoption of new standards due to lack of incentives.
• Open-source healthcare systems are crucial for low- and middle-income countries, bridging global health radiology gaps.
• The LibreHealth Radiology Information System (RIS) emerged from a community effort within OpenMRS and LibreHealth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the development and architecture of the LibreHealth RIS.
• To showcase its role in implementing core radiology workflows and testing new standards.
• To encourage broader participation in advancing the system towards an Enterprise Imaging System.

Main Methods:

• Community-driven development of an open-source RIS since 2011.
• Iterative architectural changes based on technological advancements, new standards, and user needs.
• Integration of core radiology workflows and exploration of standards in health and imaging informatics.

Main Results:

• Three major releases of the LibreHealth RIS.
• Successful adoption in hospitals and clinics across four countries.
• Demonstrated capacity to implement core radiology workflows and serve as a platform for testing new standards.

Conclusions:

• Open-source RIS development drives innovation and can overcome barriers to adopting new healthcare standards.
• The LibreHealth RIS has proven effective in diverse global settings and has potential for broader clinical imaging applications.
• Continued community involvement is essential for evolving the system into a comprehensive Enterprise Imaging System.