Research project NO/C/019 (Research action NO)
The aim of this project is to promote standardisation in the field of Medical Data Processing and Medical Telematics. In this context, 'medical' should be understood in the wider sense of health care. The health care sector is very wide-ranging and important, and is characterised by the intensive exchange of all kinds of information.
The health care sector is also currently undergoing rationalisation: there is a drive in health care reform to achieve a more efficient management of data flows in the hope of improving the health care system itself. To do so, data processing and telematics technology must be employed. In order to exchange information through these channels, certain standards are essential.
The standards will also open up the market for the developers of data processing and telematics systems (principally small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs) and lead to a more stable product development environment and expanded markets (economies of scale).
To this end, the project will :
- support, together with the Belgian Institute for Standardisation (BIN/IBN), the activities of the Belgian CEN/TC 251 study group: this forum will inform and instruct all the interested parties and strive to obtain maximum representativeness in order to defend national interests to optimal effect.
- together with the Ministries for Social Affairs and Public Health, set up an official “Telematics and Standards in Health Care” Committee via a Royal Decree incorporated in hospital legislation. This platform of experts will draw up guidelines within which reference will be made to existing standards. These guidelines will serve as criteria for recognition within the hospital legislation, for example.
- develop and maintain a databank (inventory) of standards and specifications in medical data processing. This databank will use existing equipment (NT server) and take the form of an Internet/World Wide Web site to be used within CEN, IMIA and ISO.
As a result of previous participation in research, standardisation and even exploitation activities, all the partners in the consortium have built up an international network of knowledge and solid renown, are representative of industry, users and government, and will continue to invest in this direction in order to achieve maximum awareness among all the interested parties.
Summary of the final report:
See Dutch version or French version
Promoting standardisation of Data Processing and Telematics applications in the health care sector : final report
Brussels : Federal science Policy Office, 2003 (SP1182)
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