CHAPTER 4 HCM and Digital Files/Portals 39
Scenario one is relatively simple to handle and corresponds to the present or current
status. Cases three and four are more complex. Because they raise questions
like these: How do I ensure that an external body can receive, open and utilize
my data at all? Which format makes the most sense? How does the data get from
the author to the user? What does this mean for my interface management? In the
second
case, the following question arises: How does data from external authors
get into my database and how do I overcome format hurdles?
When the HCM system is fully implemented, all medical data is
managed
here on a case or patient basis. Thus it represents the digital
hospital
file!
The HCM System as a Trailblazer
The aforementioned questions can be answered by setting up an HCM system.
Because the HCM system as the central storage of all digital medical documents
of an institution is the ideal starting point for importing data into cross-institutional
patient- or case-centric digital files or portals.
The most important advantage is that the data has already been converted into
recognized standard formats on its way into the HCM system. Another benefit:
instead of gathering the medical information intended for external exchange
from several systems, users simply access a single system with one viewer. This
simplifies the process and also streamlines it financially. After all, only one interface
has to be maintained.
The HCM System as a Portal
The HCM system provides you with the data for patient portals and referral portals
in at least one suitable form, but it can also provide the portals itself! Which
path you take depends on the individual situation. A new portal would preferably
be developed from within the HCM system. An established and popular
portal, however, would be better not to be replaced.
External medical information, whether provided by other physicians or provided
by patients themselves, is delivered to your facility either on paper, on a storage
medium, or via an upload portal. What all data has in common is that it contains
deviating patient or case IDs. A good HCM system provides functionalities to integrate
external data into the in-house ID range. To do this, it must be possible
to find the in-house IDs for patients and cases and use them in the data transfer