EBME Forums Forums Maintenance Biomed Databases Database Specification

Has anyone ever written a specification for a Medical Engineering Database?

Having been told that our HECS system will be unsupported from the end of 2008, we need to start looking around for a replacement. Rather than re-inventing the wheel (which we all do so well) has anyone ever sat down and written a detailed spec for what they want a system to do? At the very least it would cut out all those that don't do something that you regard as being crucial.

I know there are soft issues as well, such as customer support etc, but I reckon it would go some way in helping us through the process!
Thanks
Paul

Hi Paul,

I have sent you an E-mail with some information that could be of use.

So, another one of the so-called “industry standards” is about to bite the dust? Some third party will take HECS on, no doubt, as it enjoys quite a large customer base (in our terms, anyway).

Take my advice, Paul from Preston, write your own spec! There’s nothing wrong with confirming that the wheel needs to be round, as it were. Only by sitting down quietly and actually thinking about it, will you come up with what you really need. After going through the process, you might even find that one of the “industry standard” packages will fit the bill, more or less. If not, there are people around who would be happy to develop a system with (and for) you.

For Paul of Taunton. I was in town yesterday, Mate, but unfortunately didn’t have time to call in for a bit of mentoring! Sorry about that.

HECS no longer supported? What happened?

Geoff - no time? i thought you had retired!

Anyone (besides me, that is) remember MAMISS (the Saudi MOH’s Minimum Acceptable Maintenance Information System Standards, from the 1980’s)? Does anybody still have a copy, I wonder? You see, guys, there’s nothing new under the sun!

Only semi-retired, young Paul. But busier than ever. Got to get a few things done while I can still stagger about, you know! Meanwhile, better let Gordon know that I’ve now got a camper-van too (and I'll meet him at Glen Nevis)!

Thanks for the info Paul D,
Yes Huw, ECRI are replacing HECS with a system called AIMS, through a partnership I believe with Phoenix Data Systems in the US. Whilst it looks very good, its a good time to look around and see what has been developed elsewhere before parting with our cash.
Geoff, the spec we write will be ours, but there are advantages in building upon what others have done and not making the same mistakes. If we all went our own way regardless, why have an ebme website?

"Standing on the shoulders of giants"?

Well, the Spec is written (almost) and thanks to those who have helped! We've seen ECRI's AIMS and we have demos planned to see E-MAT, F2 and Optim. Are there any more we should knock on the door of, or are these the main contenders at the moment?

On an associated subject has anyone implemented GMDN in their database system?

[Global Medical Device Nomenclature - www.gmdnagency.com ]
Cheers, Paul

Paul

I've tried using GMDN for several years. People love to argue about what to call some devices, so at least I could say, "Agree or not that's the Europeen standard name for the item".
Some of the GMDN names were so bizarre no one could understand them. For example Boot Motors, anit-DVT leggins used in theatres, were called "Intermittent Compression Devices". That threw some people. Air Mattresses were called "Alternating Pressure Pad Pumps". That completely baffled, so I gradualy worked back in some common names to ease peoples Inventory checking problems. Its now "nearly" GMDN.
Marc