Enterprise Architecture in Hospitals: Resolving Incongruence Issues

Proposal for a Standard Architecture for the Integration of Clinical Information Systems in a Complex Hospital Environment

The evolution of technology in clinical environments increases the level of precision in patient care, as well as optimizes the management of healthcare centers. However, the need to have information systems that are more sophisticated and require interoperability between them means that a great deal of effort has to be made to assume the maintenance and scalability of the systems. Therefore, a proposal for a standard information model for the integration of clinical systems in a healthcare environment is presented. In order to elaborate the model, an analysis of the functional needs of the different clinical areas of a clinical environment is made based on the information systems that make up the system and application map. An evaluation of the technical requirements and the technological solutions that can satisfy these requirements is also carried out, delving into the different technical alternatives that allow the exchange of information. From the analysis carried out, an integration model capable of covering the needs that arise in clinical environments with a high level of complexity is obtained, also allowing the continuous evolution of the systems that make up the model, along with the incorporation of new systems. Although the model presented may fully cover the expectations raised, the rapid evolution in terms of both functional needs and technical aspects makes it necessary to continuously monitor and evaluate the model, in order to adapt it to the needs that arise.