by Frank Fortner
Long before MEDITECH released its hybrid Client/Server 6.x version, with a handful of applications built on the new FOCUS or Advanced Technology platform, familiar rumors were already suggesting there would be no integration of third party applications in 6.x. Ironically, that same line was pitched in the 1980s concerning MAGIC and also in the 1990s with the release of Client/Server (VMAGIC). In both of those cases and yes, in this one too, truth trumps a tale.
The truth is that in order for a third party application to integrate at a basic level with any HIS (MEDITECH, Cerner, McKesson, and so on) it must be able to accept, read or screen scrape data from the HIS and transmit data back to the HIS via an inbound interface or script. A good scripting tool is technically all one needs to provide basic level integration. Newsflash – these scripting tools exist and there is really nothing any HIS vendor can do to prevent them from working.
Moving beyond scripting tools, advanced integration comes with the ability to read data (in real time) from an HIS database. With these more powerful methods, a software vendor can develop robust, real-time interfaces as well as ‘read and feed’ data into external databases. Advanced integration also leverages standard interfaces to communicate with the HIS.
The truth is, all of the above (and more) is currently working in version 6.x, yet the rumors live on. Attendees at my “Hocus, Pocus, FOCUS” MUSE presentations were shown proof of this as early as May 2008. Inevitably, as the 6.x customer base grows, the truth will spread as an increasing number of third party applications and interfaces are successfully deployed. The truth will ultimately separate fact from fiction and we will all get on to the more important business of delivering quality patient care.
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1 Laura // Oct 29, 2009 at 9:25 pm
I thought the post made some good points on screen scrapers. For screen scrapers I use python for simple things, but for larger projects I used screen scraper software which worked great, they build quick custom screen scraper and web scraper programs.
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