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Local network and distributed processing issues in the Johns Hopkins Hospital.

The Johns Hopkins Hospital has initiated an ambitious program to apply modern technologies to the development of a new, comprehensive clinical information system. One component of this system is a networking technology for supporting the integration of diverse and functionally distinct information systems. This paper discusses the selection of the networking technology implemented at JHH, issues and problems, networking concepts, protocols, and reliability.

Computer Communication Networks

Design of a high-speed, high-resolution teleradiology network.

A teleradiology system acquires radiographic images from one location and transmits them to one or more distant sites where they are displayed and/or converted to hard-copy film recordings. The long-term goal of teleradiology research is to show that teleradiology systems can provide diagnostically equivalent results when compared with conventional radiographic film interpretation. If this hypothesis is proven, provision of the following radiology services will be improved: (1) providing for primary interpretation of radiological images for patients in underserved areas as well as in other medical facilities; (2) integration of radiological services for multihospital/clinic health care provider consortiums; (3) improving emergency service and intensive care unit coverage; (4) offering consulting-at-a-distance with subspecialty radiologists; and (5) providing radiologists in the community or in rural areas with immediate access to large academic centers for help in the interpretation of difficult and problematic cases. We are designing a high-speed, high-resolution teleradiology network that will communicate between our level 3 medical center and several outlying medical centers within the metropolitan area. Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR), and screen-film examinations will be digitized to 2,000 x 2,000 or 4,000 x 4,000 pixels at the remote sites, transmitted to the central referral facility, and sent to a laser film printer, replicating the original film. This film may then be used for primary diagnosis, overreading/consultative purposes, or for emergency department preparation. Inherently digital modality data (eg, MR and CT) can be sent without digitization of the multiformat film if desired.

Computer Communication Networks

On research subsystems and their integration in the computer-supported part of hospital information systems.

Taking as an example the special research programme ('Sonderforschungsbereich') in leukemia research and immunogenetics (SFB120) of the University of Tübingen, we intend to discuss how research subsystems should be built up, which functions they should take over and which network architecture is suitable. Furthermore, we examined to what extent research subsystems can be integrated in the computer-supported part of hospital information systems. It can easily be seen that no general solution exists for the structuring. The structure depends rather upon the specific problems and information requirements of individual research units. The clinical environment must be taken into account if research subsystems are to be integrated into the computer-supported part of a hospital information system. Especially in regard to the data protection aspect, we must keep in mind that the connection between subsystems must not necessarily result in the setup of a network for the corresponding computer systems.

Computer Communication Networks

Special communication. The Cooperative Human Tissue Network.

This report is to make the general scientific community aware of availability of human tissues through this network. During the short period of its existence, this network has developed useful procedures for distributing human tumor tissue in a rapid, scientifically useful, cost-effective manner to investigators to whom this tissue would not otherwise be available. The growth in the number of specimens being distributed matches the previous experience of each of the member institutions in internal distribution activities. It is expected that the availability of tissue will lead to new research initiatives and grant applications. This Network has been established as a model which can in the future be expanded to meet the needs of the scientific community at large. The National Cancer Institute encourages investigators engaging in cancer research who have need of human tissues to submit their requests to the Cooperative Human Tissue Network.

Computer Communication Networks

Telecommunication. Strategy: communication links with physicians.

Telecommunications vendors en masse are targeting health care as a market segment with vast, untapped potential. But hospitals are still having trouble integrating computer systems within their own walls. Are they ready to face the telecommunications challenge: utilizing long-distance telecommunication networks that would shuttle health care information around the country as efficiently as systems already at work in the finance industry? Ready or not, experts say the day must come.

Computer Communication Networks

Improving access to computer-based library and drug information services in patient-care areas.

A project to increase access to drug and biomedical information through electronic linkage of drug information and library services to three patient-care areas is described. In February 1987, microcomputer work stations were installed in the Bexar County Hospital District's hospital emergency department, medical residents' office, and ambulatory-care clinic, as well as in The University of Texas Health Science Center's library reference area and drug information service office. Drug information was available on compact disk through the Micromedex Computerized Clinical Information System (CCIS) database, which includes DRUGDEX, POISINDEX, EMERGINDEX, and IDENTIDEX. Each work station was also connected to the library's computer via modem, allowing access to the Library Information System, books, journals, audiovisual materials, miniMEDLINE, and an electronic mail system. During the six-month project, the system was used 5487 times by 702 people. The system was successful in providing drug and other information in clinical settings and in introducing clinical staff members to new information technology. To increase access to the system after the project ended, the CD-ROM version was discontinued, and the distributed tape version of CCIS for VAX computers was added to the library's online information system, making drug information more available throughout the campus and teaching hospitals. In 1988-89 an average of 200 people accessed the tape version of CCIS each month. Although it is difficult to replace the convenience of an onsite library, at least some drug and biomedical information needs in the clinical setting can be met through computer networking.

Computer Communication Networks

Implications of changes in healthcare for biomedical communications.

Payment for medical services on the basis of DRGs and other innovations in medical care are restricting the income of major medical institutions. This has resulted in decreased demand for biomedical communication services (and more cost awareness) in support of traditional educational and patient care programs and an increased demand for services to support institutional public relations and marketing programs. Biomedical communications will need to respond to this fluid environment by broadening its institutional role and adopting new information technologies.

Computer Communication Networks

Remote site treatment planning.

Remote site treatment planning was one of the earliest methods of digital computer dose planning. Using batch-oriented or time-sharing mainframe computer systems, researchers in the late 1950s and early 1960s developed many of the basic algorithms used later in stand-alone systems. Although time-shared systems have continued in use, most of the emphasis on treatment planning in the last decade has been on using dedicated mini- and micro-computer systems. Recent developments in the computer industry, such as the use of networks and distributed computer processing, may lead to a resurgence of interest in remote computer systems for treatment planning.

Computer Communication Networks

Adapting IAIMS to a hospital library level.

The Children's Hospital of Michigan Medical Library has adapted several of the Integrated Academic Information Management Systems (IAIMS) concepts and implemented them at a hospital library level. These have included features of network development, electronic interfacing and interlinking, and implementing an integrated information system in the library. The library has incorporated several information systems into library operations, including a variety of in-house, local, and national automated systems and telecommunication networks. Hospital libraries can incorporate IAIMS features and promote an institutional framework of interconnecting communication systems and electronic linkages.

Computer Communication Networks

Community health behavior change through computer network health promotion: preliminary findings from Stanford Health-Net.

Computer-based health education has been employed in many settings. However, data on resultant behavior change are lacking. A randomized, controlled, prospective study was performed to test the efficacy of Stanford Health-Net (Stanford, CA, U.S.A.) in changing community health behaviors. Graduate and undergraduate students (N = 1003) were randomly assigned to treatment and control conditions. The treatment group received access to Health-Net, a health promotion computer network emphasizing specific self-care and preventive strategies. Over a 4-month intervention period, 26% of the treatment group used Health-Net an average of 6.4 times each (range 1-97). The most commonly cited reasons for use were curiosity, general health education, evaluation of current symptoms and anonymity of information. Users rated Health-Net favorably. The most commonly reported reasons for non-use were related to lack of health problems, limited time and lack of access to computer facilities. The mean number of ambulatory medical visits decreased 22.5% more in the treatment group than in the control group (P less than 0.05), while hospitalizations did not differ significantly between groups. In addition, perceived self-efficacy for preventing the acquisition of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and herpes increased 577% (P less than 0.05) and 261% (P less than 0.01) more, respectively, in the treatment group than in the control group. These findings suggest that access to Stanford Health-Net can result in significant health behavior change. The advantages of the network approach make it a potential model for other communities.

Adult

Introduction to the ACR-NEMA DICOM standard.

In 1982, the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) formed a committee to develop standards for the interconnection of digital imaging devices. Version 1.0 of the standard, published in 1985, specifies a hardware interface supporting point-to-point (not network) image transmission, a data dictionary (a set of rules for encoding information), and a set of commands to initiate transactions. Version 2.0, published in 1988, also addresses point-to-point image transmission and provides semantic rules by which messages (streams of bits representing information in transit from one device to another) are organized. Version 3.0, also referred to as DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine), will be finalized in 1992. The DICOM standard encourages open systems interconnection of imaging equipment over standard networks, while maintaining compatibility with earlier point-to-point connection standards. The DICOM standard conforms fully with the International Standards Organization reference model for network communications (ISORM), addresses the issue of conformance, and incorporates the concept of object-oriented design.

Computer Communication Networks