Information Architecture
Public health information today is spread across many programs, most with their own method for identifying people and related data elements, a program-level data model, nonstandard vocabulary, program specific vertical workflow, and customized reports. A
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Information Architecture Dina Dickerson and Patricia Yao
Abstract Public health information today is spread across many programs, most with their own method for identifying people and related data elements, a programlevel data model, nonstandard vocabulary, program specific vertical workflow, and customized reports. A single office may use multiple processes to manage workflow information, including paper, fax, spreadsheets, electronic documents, and proprietary databases. If needed data resides in another database silo, the process may include a custom interface that then must be maintained as another step in the process to capture and manage public health information. These disparate data silos translate to fragmented and redundant public health data and workflow and the inability to present a complete picture of an individual or population, further distancing care coordination and the achievement of best outcomes. An effective information architecture must address the issue of interoperability between data silos and serve as a guide for transitioning to shared data and optimized workflow. A shared data model using standards-based metadata tags and attributes is the best option for public health to begin this transition. Adopting a shared metadata model enables exchange of information with other standards-based systems, such as electronic health records, without redundant data entry. It enables care to be coordinated across programs and agencies according to best practice evidence and reinforced with alerts and reminders to individuals and providers. A shared metadata model is extensible to other disciplines in the public D. Dickerson, MPH (*) Maternal and Child Health Assessment, Evaluation and Informatics, Oregon Health Authority Center for Prevention and Health Promotion, 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 370, Portland, OR 97232, USA e-mail: [email protected] P. Yao, MSc (Medical Informatics) Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR 97239-3098, USA e-mail: [email protected] J.A. Magnuson, P.C. Fu, Jr. (eds.), Public Health Informatics and Information Systems, Health Informatics, DOI 10.1007/978-1-4471-4237-9_6, © Springer-Verlag London 2014
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sector, such as education and child welfare, by populating the model with content from those domains. Standard terminology practices are facilitated and the model becomes scalable to large populations. Given public health funding and workload realities, moving toward a shared metadata model will occur in a phased approach with programs joining the process over time, and according to priority assigned by a governance body of stakeholders. Keywords Interoperability • Information architecture • Syntax • Semantics • Logical data model • Vocabulary • Metadata • Value sets • Clinical Document Architecture • Continuity of Care Document • Data governance
Learning Objectives 1. Define the concept of information silos and understand their impact on th
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