Healthcare Data Synchronization via Message Broker

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current healthcare information systems are isolated and lack the ability to effectively share and synchronize patient data across different healthcare organizations and professionals, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity as more systems become interconnected.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for providing an information sharing architecture that allows physically separate healthcare information systems to share and exchange patient data, using a network of interconnected deployments with a central server for patient and master file ID coordination, data mapping, and conflict resolution, enabling seamless data synchronization and updates across the community.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If healthcare information systems are kept isolated and independent, then data security and system simplicity are maintained, but information sharing and coordination between different healthcare organizations become impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoidinformation sharing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a message broker as an intermediary component that enables communication between isolated healthcare information systems without requiring direct connections. The message broker receives, routes, and manages messages between different systems, allowing information sharing while maintaining system independence and security boundaries. This resolves the contradiction by providing a controlled intermediary layer that facilitates versatility without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the healthcare information architecture into independent deployments, each maintaining its own data and systems boundaries. Each deployment can operate autonomously while still participating in the broader network through standardized interfaces. This segmentation allows systems to remain simple and secure individually while achieving information sharing collectively through the networked architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If more healthcare systems are interconnected to enable data sharing, then patient care coordination improves, but system complexity and difficulty of management increase exponentially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata sharing capabilityVSAvoidsystem integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal message broker that handles multiple functions including message routing, transformation, filtering, and error handling through a single standardized interface. This universal component can work with any healthcare information system regardless of its specific vendor or technology stack, reducing the need for custom integration logic for each connection and thereby managing complexity despite increased interconnectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses configurable parameters and settings within the message broker to adapt to different healthcare systems and requirements. By changing parameters such as message formats, routing rules, and connection settings rather than redesigning the entire integration architecture, the system can accommodate new participants without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If healthcare systems use proprietary and homogenous IT systems from a single company, then system compatibility and ease of operation are improved, but adaptability to different healthcare organizations' needs and ability to share information externally are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem compatibilityVSAvoidexternal information sharing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The message broker serves as a universal intermediary that translates between different system interfaces and protocols. Healthcare organizations can continue using their preferred proprietary systems internally while the message broker enables external communication through standardized interfaces, thus maintaining ease of operation internally while achieving external adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8825502B2System and method for providing patient record synchronization in a healthcare setting
Publication Date: 2014.09.02 EPIC SYST CORP (US)
  • US8825502B2 patent drawing
  • US8825502B2 patent drawing
  • US8825502B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system provides an information sharing architecture that allows physically separate healthcare information systems, called “deployments,” to share and exchange information. The collection of these participating deployments is referred to as the “Community,” and systems within the Community sometimes store records for patients in common. The system allows participants in the Community to share information on data changes to these patients, and to reconcile concurrent and conflicting updates to the patient's record.