Development and implementation of an LIS-based validation system for autoverification toward zero defects in the automated reporting of laboratory test results

Posted on June 15, 2021 By LabLynx Journal articles

In this 2021 paper published in BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, Jin et al. discuss an autoverification and validation system they implemented in their laboratory information systems (LIS) to decrease validation workloads and reduce reporting risks in their healthcare systems. Using a human-machine dialog approach, the authors developed and implemented their autoverification system so that it could record personnel review steps and determine whether the human–machine review results are consistent, while also allowing laboratory personnel to tweak the system further for improved autoverification accuracy. After describing their system in detail, the authors present the results of their two years of use with the system, noting that "in the two years that our online validation has been in use, there have never been any defects or reporting risks due to autoverification" while at the same time enjoying more efficient laboratory verification.

Emerging and established trends to support secure health information exchange

Posted on June 8, 2021 By LabLynx Journal articles

In this 2021 article published in Frontiers in Digital Health, Spanakis et al. describe their research efforts towards the development of a more advanced way of securely transmitting and sharing sensitive healthcare data, including by use of blockchain and cloud computing. They first provide background on interoperability and data sharing in healthcare and the challenges that face such activities. This background also includes discussion of an interoperability framework in the European context and how it could be applied to their research. The authors then discuss the current status of standards-based health data exchange and how blockchain fits into that picture. They then propose their Innovative Secure Information Sharing Platform (InSISP), which is "able to support a fast and efficient medical information sharing at both national and cross-national levels, taking into account sharing constraints, including those imposed by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)." Afterwards, they summarize their recommendations based on their InSISP, concluding that their platform has the potential improve healthcare data sharing and transmission, though not without challenges in addressing blockchained healthcare data in the scope of GDPR, as well as the overall complexity and heterogeneity of big healthcare data and the problems that arise.

Security and privacy in cloud-based eHealth systems

Posted on June 2, 2021 By LabLynx Journal articles

Electronic health or eHealth solutions are increasingly used in healthcare, including in cloud computing settings. The cloud adds benefits to the use of those eHealth systems, but it also brings with it a number of security challenges, as Sivan and Zukarnain highlight in this 2021 paper. The duo turn to a literature review of eHealth technologies in relation to cloud computing and use that literature to show the strengths and weaknesses of a cloud-based eHealth systems approach. After providing background on cloud computing and the advantages it brings to eHealth systems, the authors identify security issues introduced by moving to the cloud and what security methods can help resolve those issues. They close with a recap of the proposed solutions, future directions for cloud-based eHealth security, and the conclusion that "the future of cloud-based eHealth services will be the integration of file-based and cloud-based applications that integrate a computer-based hybrid IT solution that measures the flexibility and scalability associated with cloud management and healthcare data security."