Monthly Archives: October 2000

Latest OIO Enables Medical Forms Over the Web

OIO answers the question: Why get stuck with a system that will not grow with your practice or project? With the latest release of the Open Infrastructure for Outcomes (0.9.3), forms created with OIO and hosted on any OIO server can be downloaded as XML files. This opens the door to the creation of
“forms” libraries, where forms can be cataloged, peer-reviewed, indexed, searched, and easily shared on the web. The first public “forms” library is now online at OIO’s main site, www.TxOutcome.Org

What is the OIO Library?

The OIO Library is more than a file download and management server.
It is an integral component of the Open Infrastructure for Outcomes (OIO) that
enables collaborative development and distribution of next generation
data management tools. The OIO Library manages the “forms”, and
the OIO Server uses the “forms” to manage data (collected from patients,
customers, etc). In flexible and scalable configurations, organizations
and individuals can implement OIO systems to serve their
particular data management needs. Ultimately, an useful library
of forms and other data reporting/analysis tools will be
available to further reduce the cost of developing and maintaining
web-based software.

Features

Completed

  • Forms Upload and Download allowing re-use and sharing of web-forms
  • Online preview of forms in the collection
  • Drill-down display of items and itemtypes attributes
  • Folder and form browser for finding forms by proximity
  • Extensible tree structure for forms classification by function and domain
  • Annotated Folders can be added to further classify and organize forms
  • Download counter for each form
  • Anonymous access
  • Role-based access to content management options (delete forms/folders/etc)

    Pending

  • Item-level comparision of forms
  • Forms indexing and searching by keywords, sub-elements
    (i.e. item names, question prompts, itemtypes).

  • Online references pertaining to forms in the collection
  • Links from each form to the form author/contributor’s
    project or documentation page

  • Annotation of each form with Users’ comments and reviews
  • Transparent linking to other forms servers




    You can run your own OIO server (version 0.9.3)
    or register for a public access account at www.TxOutcome.Org.
    OIO file download, mailing list, and development are hosted by sourceforge.net with the OIO project here on sourceforge.

    • Taking The Linux Plunge

    So you realize that Linux in medicine might actually be viable. Perhaps you are thinking about taking the Linux plunge? Getting your feet wet up to your neck? Maybe even be a purist and start from the primordial ooze by building a Linux machine in your living room? The latest Linux Buyer’s Guide may shine the light on what hardware to purchase. They have low, mid-range and high end configurations. It is just an 11 piece jigsaw puzzle so what is stopping you? Where to shop? No problem. Secret weapon PriceWatch.com will give you a dandy price delivered to your door.

    E-Signatures Given Legal Standing

    CNN.com is reporting that the Electronic Signatures in Global National Commerce Act, also known as E-Sign took effect Sunday. The law will give electronic signatures the same authority as their handwritten counterparts. The article goes into detail about the promise and security pitfalls of electronic signatures: ‘…the expanded definition of legal signatures and
    flaws in the technology could contribute to fraud.
    The law does not specify a type of technology for
    e-signatures. They can be obtained through
    secured processes, like secret passwords or digital
    fingerprints, as well as unsecured ones, such as
    faxed signatures or clicking an acceptance button
    on a Web page.’     This will make it an interesting world in medicine where signatures on documents with legal weight are a frequent occurrence. The question is how soon will healthcare take advantage of this?