Use of Digital Ecosystem and Ontology Technology for Standardization of Medical Records

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a medical records digital ecosystem (MRDES) that enables efficient use of medical records for the purpose of correct patient identification, diagnosis, appointments scheduling and the like, in everyday life as well as in emergency situations. Medical records digital environment (MRDE) is populated by interconnected medical records digital components (MRDC). MRDC are combined together to support creation of a digital infrastructure that will provide standardized use of medical records within various regions, countries and even continents. If medical records are to be recognized by different digital components at different locations, standardization of data needs to take place. Ontologies can be used for this purpose. Instantiation of the Generic Medical Record Ontology concepts result in Specific Medical Record Ontologies that act as personalized medical records. Ontology files are machine readable and are suitable to be used within MRDES. One of the key MRDC includes medical record databases that contain personal medical records. Through use of ontologies for standardization of medical records from these different databases, one big virtual database is created that contains medical records of all people. Other key MRDCs are machine-readable personal medical records as well as screening components that read those records. The advantage is that one comprehensive format for the medical records is set within this digital ecosystem and this record can be accessed, read and understood regardless of what country this person is in. This advantage is of especial importance in emergency cases. The significance of this research lies in the unification of the advances of the ontology technology and ecosystem paradigm for the purpose of establishing worldwide standardization of medical records.