CMMS Database Migration in Clinical Engineering: Penn Medicine's Experience

Area of Science:

• Information Systems
• Database Administration
• Healthcare Informatics

Background:

• Database migration is critical for system integration and involves data transfer between systems.
• Challenges include data assessment, cleansing, migration, testing, and risk management.
• This case study focuses on migrating a clinical engineering department's database.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the database migration activities during the insourcing of Princeton Health's clinical engineering department into Penn Medicine's information services.
• To highlight key factors for successful project execution, including goal definition and business decision-making.
• To share insights on managing a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) database migration and improving future projects.

Main Methods:

• Describing the practical steps and challenges encountered during a real-world database migration project.
• Focusing on the insourcing of a clinical engineering department and its CMMS database.
• Emphasizing project management strategies, including milestone achievement and risk mitigation.

Main Results:

• Successful execution of the database migration project was achieved through careful planning and milestone management.
• Key business decisions positively supported the migration process.
• Established internal and external relationships were crucial for project success.

Conclusions:

• Database migration projects require meticulous planning, risk management, and strategic decision-making.
• Building strong relationships is vital for overcoming migration challenges.
• Lessons learned can inform and enhance future database migration initiatives, particularly for CMMS systems.