HELP the next generation: a new client-server architecture

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Computer Science
• Software Engineering

Background:

• The existing HELP* system provided patient-centered decision support.
• Limitations in the HELP* system architecture hindered rapid application development and distributed computing.
• A need existed for an open, adaptable system to overcome these limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a new client-server system centered around a lifetime data repository (LDR).
• To maintain patient-centered decision support capabilities.
• To provide an open architecture for accelerated application development and distributed execution.

Main Methods:

• Implementation using commercially available software components.
• Adherence to national and international software integration standards.
• Utilization of MS-DOS, OS/2, and UNIX as operating systems.
• Microsoft OLE 2.0 for clinical database interface.
• TUXEDO as a transaction/communication manager.
• ORACLE RDBMS as the database management system.

Main Results:

• Construction of a new client-server system based on a lifetime data repository (LDR).
• The system architecture supports distributed application execution across multiple computers.
• Integration achieved through commercial software and adherence to standards.

Conclusions:

• The new system successfully integrates patient-centered decision support with an open architecture.
• The use of commercial components and established standards facilitates faster development and system distribution.
• This approach provides a scalable and adaptable platform for clinical information systems.