Smart health information platform for chain of care: Conceptional framework, functional design and pivotal technologies

Health Information Technology (HIT) has revealed its strength and potential in ensuring healthcare safety, quality and efficiency world widely. Facing the growing demand for medical service in China, in this paper a Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP) is abstractly introduced in which traditional health information systems (HISs) are integrated as modules to work concordantly. The conceptional framework of SHIP are proposed and the necessary functions are designed for its full involvement within Chain of Care. Besides, the pivotal technology are discussed to develop the SHIP and ensure qualified utilization successfully. These technologies consist of health information quality management, Statistical Process Control in healthcare and R&D of mobile terminal. The raised platform acquires three innovating characters: (1) Value of HIT is embodied by involving in all aspect of Chain of Care. (2) Conception of platformization is proposed, representing the vista of HIT. (3) Implementation expense is reduced, with high efficiency and substantial benefits.