Conflicting view support by medical information systems

Area of Science:

• Computer Science
• Medical Informatics

Background:

• Current database systems enforce global integrity, rejecting contradictory data.
• Medical information systems may require controlled contradictions for data security and tailored user views.
• Existing security mechanisms can alert users to hidden information, hindering effective communication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a database system capable of managing controlled contradictions in medical data.
• To enable the presentation of non-real data to specific users while maintaining data integrity.
• To facilitate smoother patient explanations in critical cases by replacing sensitive information.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the POSTGRES generalized relational database system.
• Implemented POSTGRES rules with the structure: On event (To) object WHERE POSTQUEL-qualification Then Do [instead] POSTQUEL-command(s).
• Employed the 'instead' keyword for data replacement, allowing for the presentation of prepared 'standard stories' or data.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the capability to manage controlled contradictions within medical databases.
• Showcased how the POSTGRES rule system can be used to present modified data instead of critical information.
• Validated the system's utility in scenarios requiring data exchange for protection, such as placebo prescriptions.

Conclusions:

• The POSTGRES rule system effectively supports data sharing and security in medical information systems.
• It enables medical professionals to provide clear, yet protected, explanations to patients in sensitive situations.
• The system's flexibility suggests broad applicability in various medical data processing fields.