■ System Components

The development methodology used is the Component Ware methodology.
What are components?
Components are simply building blocks that are grouped together according to an application’s specific requirements. They are binary programs that expose their functions to other programs through a standard protocol.
The standard protocol used for inter-component communication is the Microsoft ActiveX.
By nature, any component has to be developed using Object Oriented Programming. Which means that we are object oriented as well.
The Rx Cane is actually a number of components that we developed to perform the common functions in the various hospital activities.
The benefits of utilizing the Component Ware methodology for the Rx Cane development is to be able to add any new functions or applications, or to reorganize an application in a different way. All of this can be done with minimal effort and more importantly, without disturbing the rest of the system
Another benefit is that Rx Cane advanced component based architecture allows for seamless integration between system components. Hence, integrating the functionality of any component within any system module is done seamlessly. So we can add registration functions to the medical record or nursing according to the needs of the hospital with minimal changes and in minimal time.
 

■ Modularity

Based upon the Component Ware methodology that we implemented, the Rx Cane is extremely modular, since almost all of its functions are distributed among different components.
 

■ Phased Implementation

Implementations can start with the minimal functionality then add new functions as needed utilizing existing or new components as required.

■ Database Independency

Our goal from day one was to enable our clients to fit their needs and budgets. So we intended to be completely database independent. This was an ambitious goal because we wanted our clients to be able to use any desktop database such as Access, FoxPro, etc…, as well as any enterprise scale database such as Oracle, DB2, Informix, SQL Server, Sybase, etc… .

However, utilizing both the Component Ware methodology and the Microsoft Open Database Connectivity standards we were able to do this.
Lightweight ODBC Database Connection components were developed that were designed to connect once to the database then pass that connection to any other system component that requires database access. This technique has increased the database access time dramatically.

On the other hand, we developed business components that map all the database tables within the system. Such components hold all the business logic pertaining to such tables that would usually reside on the database server.

Combining those techniques together, the Rx Cane has achieved complete database independency out of the box without any need for new versions or support modules or even program recompilation.

■ Scalability

The Rx Cane goal as mentioned before is to offer each and every client his exact requirements and to range in implementation from a small uni-clinic where only a doctor and a nurse are present, to a large busy hospital exceeding 1000 beds with all the activities involved in its running.

Again, both the Component Ware methodology and the Database Independency have been key factors in achieving this goal. Any implementation can start as small or as big as the client requires, then it can grow over time as the client’s requirements grow adding more components to the system.

■ Integration

Utilizing the Component Ware methodology, the Rx Cane can integrate any required functions or applications that are currently not present in the system, given that that applications that include functions support the Microsoft ActiveX standard.

On the other hand, such functionality as DICOM support and laboratory equipment data acquisition is achieved through components. This makes it very simple to add say a new laboratory analyser as soon as it becomes available by integrating a component that specifically communicates with it.

■ Active Medical Sheet Framework ©

The Active Medical Sheet Framework was the component of choice to be the cornerstone of the Rx Cane. It is licensed for use in Rx Cane’ various applications. It is a general component that is extremely customisable. It includes all the types of information that can be needed at any point of care location at the hospital. It includes a formatted free text area, a general data fields area, an image area and multiple specific fields areas that can include diagrams, data fields and images. This framework consolidates all the information that a care provider needs within one context, thus reducing the time required to access information and increasing the focus of the care provider. Beside that, the framework is highly customisable to accommodate almost all the changing requirements of a hospital clinical need.

And based upon the Component Ware methodology, the Active Medical Sheet Framework can call and utilize any external components that are developed for specific use.

Due to the extreme flexibility of this component, it will be referred to many times within the context of many Rx Cane modules such as the Outpatient, the Inpatient, the Radiology, the Endoscopy, Cardiac Catheterisation, etc…

From the above brief description it is obvious that the Rx Cane system is superior by design, flexible by nature and advanced by functionality. It is your hospital information management system for the future.

■ International Standards

ICD9/10-CM (International Code of Diseases, Clinically Modified) with options of localization to national or hospital standards.
ICSP 9/10 (International Code of Surgical Procedures) with options of localization to national or hospital standards.

■ Bilingual System

Rx Cane is a fully bilingual system. Where the use of Local and Latin languages is supported through out the system.
Rx Cane is completely localizable according to the users needs. The authorized user will have the ability –where applicable- to change the wording of all displays according to the hospital policies.

Rx Cane Supports Arabic language and all the special cases of Arabic. Like, Hamza, Alf Layena…etc

■ Rx Cane Reports & Statistics

Rx Cane is supplied containing a large set of predefined reports serving most of the needs of the hospital.
For purpose of generation of other reports, Rx Cane supplies its users with an AD-HOC queries and report generator subsystem to facilitate the process of defining new sets of reports on demand to satisfy the user’s requirements. The user can use this subsystem to create, save, modify, and run new and existing reports.
New reports can be Also created in a generic report designer such as Crystal reports then attached to the Rx Cane © system using this module.
Users can create reports with listings, graphs and images.
The system also has a generic Report Organizer application that categorizes all the system reports into meaningful groups.

■ Bar Code

Rx Cane supports barcode generation and reading through its various subsystems. In the registration process barcode is used for issuing patient ID cards. It is used through all the pharmacy and stock control functions for purpose of smooth and easy workflow and to minimize data entry as much as possible. Barcode is also used in the lab facilities for purpose of marking test tubes, trays…etc

■ Archiving

Rx Cane supports image processing and storing technology. Archiving of images, X-rays, voice, video and images from PACs systems. They are all integrated into the patients’ medical records. Thus keeping a complete file for every patient including all images and investigation results performed for him. This ensures easy retrieval of data concerning the patient instantly and re-viewing of any video or plane images by the physician simply and smoothly.

■ Rx Cane Interfaces

Rx Cane can support virtually any interface requirements for various types of equipments and various software. This is due to the Open Standards and Components Based Design of the system. Which allows Rx Cane to be integrated and to add more functionality as the required.
Rx Cane fully supports DICOM 3.0 and HL7 standards. And hence, communicates with any devices that uses any of these standards.
Among the devices Rx Cane communicates with are; Beckman - Synchronic Devices, Hitachi Devices, ACE Devices, Etc…

■ Rx Cane Flexibility and Ease of use

Rx Cane is a very user friendly and flexible system. “Making it easy for the user” was –and still- one of the core ideas we had while designing and developing Rx Cane. Rx Cane uses simple to use windows controls. With a very easy to use graphical interface. Yet the system is very powerful and diversified, the user has to worry only about his/her own job. Rx Cane will handle all inter-relations between various modules automatically and on real time basis. Allowing for ease of use yet strongly integrated system.

■ Security

• Rx Cane is secured against intrusion, hacking, unauthenticated access and all other ways of accessing unauthorized data.

• The tools used to maintain security:

• Login names and passwords to each user of the system.
• Different authorization levels to perform different functions according to permitted access to the requested information and actions.
• Classification of system functions according to user levels.
• Centralized control is only permitted by system administrator.
• Enabling and disabling devices and workstations from accessing the system by the administrator.
• Recording history and log file of the attempts to access unauthorized data and break security.
• Every activity done through Rx Cane is logged by date/time stamp as well as the user name that performed this activity and the workstation number from where it was performed.

■ Client Server Deployment Architecture

The chosen deployment architecture is a client-server architecture, utilizing a server as a dedicated RDBMS server, an Intel based MS Windows 2000 workstations.

■ Identification (ID) Technology:

• The system support Barcode, smart and magnetic cards technology, in several modules such as:
• Medication and consumables bar-coding.
• Patient ID: barcode, smart\magnetic card writer and readers and two dimensional bar-coding (in progress).