The integrations between the many IT solutions are unified and improved
It requires a strong, robust infrastructure and a highly reliable organizational setup to fulfil the digitalization strategy of Central Denmark Region. In the future, the many IT systems must function as a cohesive landscape, where data is exchanged quickly, securely, and efficiently, for the benefit of the citizen.
In the health agreement (between the Region, the municipalities) for the period 2019-2023, the vision in Central Jutland is to create
'A close and cohesive healthcare system in balance; a healthcare system where everyone has equal opportunities for a healthy and long life, where all citizens are actively involved in their own health, where more health solutions are promoted in the local environment, and where we get more health for the money' (Mandate for DIGTE (DIGitale sundhedsløsninger and TElemedicin/Digital health solutions and telemedicine)).
Joint telemedicine and digitally supported healthcare solutions are central to implementing the vision. It is about ’Health services on the citizen's terms’ and this means that the Central Denmark Region (RM) focuses on increased management by the users and well-functioning solutions that, among other things, support the citizens' own coping, monitoring, and training.
To ensure the consistency between the region's health systems RM works to create the integration platform connecting the systems and enabling them to work seamlessly together. The goal is to consolidate old integrations and platforms as well as new integrations on modern technologies - in order to ensure that the vision of 'Health solutions close to the citizen' is realized, for the benefit of both citizens and employees in RM.
Read the whole case story about how RM and kaastrup|andersen collaborate on the first integration on Red Hat's OpenShift platform.
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Challenge
RM continuously implements new IT systems that cover very specific needs in individual departments. This means that the amount of IT systems to exchange data is growing all the time and thus the integrations between the many systems risk becoming a weak link and a limiting factor in relation to development of new and updating existing systems.
RM’s challenge is to create a consolidated platform, which is able to receive, manage and share data between the many different IT systems so that information about patients and their treatment is complete and so that the workflows of the clinical staff is supported in the best way possible. The focal point of the systems is RM’s Electronic Patient Journal (MidtEPJ), which centrally contains data from a large number of healthcare systems.
At the same time, the initiative is motivated by RM’s goal that the implementation time for new systems must be reduced and flexibility must be increased.
An additional challenge is that the reliability of the integration layer must be sky-high; there must be no situations where users are unable to access the data needed; human lives are at stake. At the same time, the systems contain extremely sensitive personal data that must not be compromised. In short, there are many good arguments for the future solution to be both secure, both regarding daily operations and data security.
Solution
Work is underway on the integration between MidtEPJ and the Prehospital Patient Journal (PPJ). The plan is for this integration to form the basis for future integrations, as it will be deployed on Region Midtjylland’s new OpenShift platform.
PPJ is used, for example, in ambulances and helicopters to record emergency information on patients being treated. The integration with EPJ is critical, as in emergency situations, it is essential for the emergency departments to receive ongoing information about patients on their way in, as early as possible.
The systems contain highly sensitive personal data, which makes cloud-based solutions unsuitable for Region Midtjylland. Therefore, Region Midtjylland has chosen to use Red Hat’s OpenShift platform: a hybrid cloud solution that can be run in its own data centre, giving RM full control over where the data is stored. This would not be the case with other purely cloud solutions such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, etc., but similarly, OpenShift supports more optimal workflows in both development and operations.
The choice of OpenShift is also due to the platform’s ability to package small containers of program code and logic that can exchange data with each other and external systems. This makes the integration system less vulnerable, and it’s easy to add or remove containers without affecting communication between other containers. Additionally, the system is scalable and allows for rapid capacity expansion: For instance, the number of identical containers handling a specific task can be increased, thereby increasing the capacity to manage data.
An additional benefit of OpenShift is that the technology can automate the deployment of new containers with new functionality. OpenShift eliminates the need for manual execution of routine tasks, thereby reducing the risk of errors. This is a completely different approach compared to the more traditional monolithic system architecture, where development and deployment are typically cumbersome and time-consuming.
On the organisational side, kaastrup|andersen helps prepare RM’s development and operations teams to manage the upcoming integration system. This involves both technical skills and an introduction to working in an agile manner, with a high degree of collaboration, ongoing (daily) knowledge sharing, and, not least, incremental deliveries, so that the development of integrations is continuously tested and their usability in RM's daily operations is validated.
Result
The PPJ integration is well underway and will be the first product on RM's future integration platform. It ensures smoother sharing of critical information about emergency patients to the emergency departments in Region Midtjylland when contact is made via 112. This also prevents double registrations in the systems.
The use of the OpenShift platform brings a number of advantages:
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RM will be able to create new integrations quickly and efficiently in the future – ensuring better healthcare solutions for citizens.
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System capacity can be scaled according to current needs – preventing bottlenecks in patient treatment.
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The deployment of new integrations is automated – saving RM time and resources while ensuring frequent deliveries.
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The combined team has embraced agile approaches and methods, experiencing the value of close collaboration and a flexible way of handling IT development.
At the same time, RM is working to become more agile and flexible in terms of operations, maintenance, and the development of new integration solutions. This is partly achieved through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with kaastrup|andersen. The goal is for the partnership to provide RM with a ‘buffer’ in terms of workforce, so that there are no periods where new integrations cannot be implemented at the desired speed, or where operations are impacted by lost internal expertise.
The strong organisational setup with operations, development, and OpenShift is a central element in RM's digital strategy and a key piece in achieving the vision of 'Healthcare services on the citizen's terms'.
kaastrup|andersen manages the IT development alongside RM’s team, implements an agile approach to development and operations, and helps management ensure the overall business case is met.
How does your IT infrastructure work? Is it geared to handle the company's need for integrations and ongoing changes in your application landscape?
We can also help you secure the future of your IT infrastructure so that it offers up-to-date and efficient solutions for the business. Contact Anton Kaastrup-Hansen on 2027-2502 and have a chat about how together we can help your company rise to the next level.
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