Project Topic

Transition an information system from a small prototype to a web-enabled database for three hospital groups

Project Background

Prior to my employment, three teams from a hospital coalition helped to define the specifications needed for a database to be used to acquire and organize patient data for research purposes. A pilot database was implemented using a local area network and Microsoft Access as the database platform.

I arrived during a period of transition. Pediatric Informatics, a new, six-month-old division in the hospital, had recently assumed responsibility for taking the project to its next level. They intended to use a software firm off-site (India) to develop an Oracle database and Internet Explorer “front-end” enhanced with Java-based code.

Actions Taken

I worked with the end-users, the former out-sourced contractor (who developed the pilot) and the newer team of programmers to develop specific and understandable requirements for the information system. I developed a project tracking database to manage the handling of new feature requests, bugs and other changes in specification. I also developed a “user acceptance” process to help manage change control and to assure that the developing system would meet the expectations of it’s intended user groups.

Results

The database was “rolled-out” in two principle stages, an early adoption stage by the cystic fibrosis user group (who had used the former pilot system) and a latter stage in which two other hospital groups (diabetes, clinical research center) converted to the new system without having experienced the interim pilot phase. All three groups are currently using the new system for their research-data needs. Data filters and business rules have substantially increased the reliability of the data available for use in characterizing various patient subgroups.