Project Background & Aims

1. Aspect One: Understanding information models Aspect Two: Developing a logical model for aged care domain University of Wollongong Development of a domain information model for aged & community care using HL7 V3 methods Assoc. Prof. Jeffrey Soar, Prof. Peter Croll, Dr Michael Legg, APAI student Isobel Frean, imf29@uow.edu.au Initiativefor e-Health, School of IT and Computer Science, Faculty of Informatics, The University of Wollongong • Project Background & Aims • This research reflects an unique opportunity for a collaborative effort between three leading aged and community care industry partners and the University of Wollongong. • The aim of this collaboration is to develop a conceptual information model: • That reflects the ‘domain’ specific needs of consumers and the work practices of providers of care to older people • That acknowledges the unique cultural, social and professional attributes of this growth sector • That can be used to validate and/or inform the objectives of the Federal Government’s Health Online framework and associated standards Approach and training Methodology This research relates to the fields of health informatics, aged and community care (long term, collaborative, multidisciplinary, continuity of care) and business process re-engineering. There are three aspects to the research: Health Level 7 V3 HL7 is an established international standard for messaging between systems in health care. Versions 2.3, 2.3.1 and 2.4 of the HL7 messaging standard are in wide use throughout Australia. HL7 is developing a new generation of interoperability standards (version 3) which is based on an object oriented model called the Reference Information Model (RIM). This brings the promise of plug and play communications between systems with XML messages that are consistent in syntax and semantics across health domains. This research will aim to demonstrate that it is possible to use the HL7 RIM classes to model the aged and community care domain. This will be done using object oriented modeling techniques, typically Unified Modeling Language (UML). UML is independent of any software language. The model and associated findings will be communicated to industry stakeholders and standards developers in Australia and overseas, with the objective of ensuring that the unique needs of users and providers of care in this domain are reflected in emerging standards and in the way in which technology is used to support quality care. Aspect Three: Implications of model for standards development • Significance and innovation • There is limited capacity for the secure exchange of health and care related data within aged and community care provider organisations or between such organisations and other providers • A domain information model that conforms to national and international standards for exchange of data will provide a framework that will ensure the sector can effectively generate and read electronic healthcare records • The research will demonstrate it is possible to use the Health Level 7 (HL7) Reference Information Model (RIM) for modelling the aged and community care domain Supported by an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant 2003 • Industry Partners • Illawarra Retirement Trust www.irt.org.au Phone (02) 4251 3800 • Our Lady of Consolation Aged Care Services www.oloc.com.auPhone (02) 9625 2457 • Southern Cross Homes Inc (NSW) www.sch.org.au Phone (02)9632 3144