Clinical workplace system
A clinical workstation system (KAS), as a front end, provides decentralized information access in all its functionality for the hospital staff at the respective workstation.
If one defines a hospital information system (HIS) as "the totality of all information processing units for processing medical and administrative data in the hospital", this includes all computer programs, people and non-IT-based information systems in a hospital. The KAS is therefore part of the HIS.
In addition to the academic definition of KAS and HIS, the terms are used vaguely by industry for the various clinical information systems. The term HIS is now used more for a billing system with patient data management, while the term KAS is used for the front end on the ward. In the past, KAS were also known as ward systems or doctor's workstation systems.
In the academic definition satellites or server functions for special subsets of clinical information or as decentralized solutions for departments, such as
- Patient data management systems (PDMS),
- Care documentation systems
- OR planning system,
- Findings server
In any combination and structure as a database server, the information sources for presentation and for reading and writing access for each clinical workstation.
In the specialization of software systems, clinical workstation systems are primarily characterized by the general validity of the information offered for general care use in a hospital. Specialized systems, such as PDMS, can offer the most tailored functionality possible in special functional areas such as intensive care medicine or anesthesia .
Mobile workplaces
Many processes of care, diagnosis, diagnosis and therapy are not tied to a fixed or even sitting position of the clinic employee. In particular, the rounds as a classic communication process are mobile events. Therefore, there are numerous solutions to roll the workplace into the place of action. Wireless communication means that there are no longer any restrictions on network access. On the other hand, the large mass of a rolling standing desk is rather a hindrance.
Mobile support
Short communication with low data volume is mapped in newer solutions on smartphones and tablet PCs or other thin clients , so that the clinic employee can access it without any additional baggage . Depending on the display requirements, the employee can change the work device without having to re-authenticate himself or alternatively sit down at a PC workstation that meets all the requirements of the workplace ordinance.
Criticism of known solutions
In the case of resident systems, the information required for the process of handling is not immediately available at the location of the action.
With mobile solutions, the mobile component becomes the carrier of simple or even risky nosocomial infectious agents. This applies in particular to the use of open keyboards and the unregulated use of private devices in the immediate vicinity of the patient.
With simple authentication, time barriers alone do not adequately protect against the transfer of access to another user.
literature
- Hans-Ulrich Prokosch: KAS, KIS, EKA, EPA, EGA, E-Health - a plea against the Babylonian confusion of terms in medical informatics. (PDF; 196 kB) In: Computer science, biometrics and epidemiology in medicine and biology . 32; 4, 2001, pp. 371-382.