OSHCA 2002, UCLA, Los Angeles Nov. 14-15 Call for Participation

Are you serious about the application of the open source model to health care? Do you want to learn more, meet others who are also committed to this innovative approach and share experiences? Then make plans to attend the only annual conference that is solely devoted to what one health care CIO says is “the only significant innovation to come along in health care informatics in twenty years.”

Last year’s OSHCA meeting held in London, UK was a resounding success with nearly one hundred participants from all over the world. The meeting was sponsored by the NHS Information Authority. The agenda and several of the presentations from the London meeting can be found at www.oshca.org. As with our previous conference the draft agenda for the UCLA meeting will also be posted on the OSHCA website and updated as events are added.

This year’s meeting will be the first time that OSHCA will take place in North America, and, in a health care center with the range of facilities that the UCLA site has to offer. It will be an excellent opportunity to see open source in action as Mike McCoy, our host and CIO of the UCLA Medical Center and his team have have been implementing open source technologies for several years.

If you would like to contribute your ideas, successes, software and enthusiasm to the agenda or help organize the meeting please contact me at
dalmolin@e-cology.ca.

OSHCA events are designed to be community building, learning experiences. Come to OSHCA 2002, experience and be energized by the spirit of collaborative innovation.

OSCHA 2002 Event Planning

Reuters is running a
story
on how six patients are currently regaining
partial sight courtesy of a microchip, surgically implanted behind their retina. The chip is smaller than the head of a pin and about half the
thickness of a sheet of paper. It works by converting light into
electrical impulses.

The amazing thing about that: It seems to restimulate remaining
inactive but healthy retinal cells thus having a larger net effect
than what the implant alone provides.

SEQUENOM Uses Linux NetworX Cluster to Provide Online Supercomputing Power to Genetic Researchers

Linux NetworX announced today that the first genomics ASP (application service provider) is powered by a Linux NetworX cluster supercomputer to provide users with online genetic research access. SEQUENOM, Inc. (Nasdaq: SQNM), a discovery genetics company, is providing the ASP, known as RealSNP.com(TM), to include its database of millions of gene sequences to offer the most comprehensive online genomics research tool available today.

SALT LAKE CITY, May 7, 2002�Linux NetworX announced today that the first genomics ASP (application service provider) is powered by a Linux NetworX cluster supercomputer to provide users with online genetic research access. SEQUENOM, Inc. (Nasdaq: SQNM), a discovery genetics company, is providing the ASP, known as RealSNP.comTM, to include its database of millions of gene sequences to offer the most comprehensive online genomics research tool available today.

With the click of a mouse, researchers from small and large organizations that otherwise would not have access to gene sequences and supercomputing technology, can access SEQUENOM�s online database, RealSNP.com, to search for genetic codes and to design and test their own genetic sequences. In the past, researchers in academic and commercial organizations were often restricted in the amount of research they could conduct because of the large cost associated with sophisticated computers and licensing fees for genomic databases. With the combined efforts of SEQUENOM and Linux NetworX, the computing power and genomics data are available online, providing researchers with affordable and convenient access to necessary research tools.

�Genetic information that was previously expensive or time consuming to generate is now readily available for researchers for a variety of uses including detecting the medical impact of genes and genetic variations,� said Rick Lapp, computational biologist for SEQUENOM. �With the cluster from Linux NetworX, we are able to provide our customers with quick access to genomics information and supercomputing power to further enhance research endeavors in the life sciences.�

Cluster technology is a method of linking multiple computers, or computer nodes, together to form a powerful, unified system. Linux NetworX clusters can match the performance of traditional supercomputers for a fraction of the cost. The design of clusters also create a very reliable platform for ASP and ISP (internet service providers) models.

A major factor contributing to SEQUENOM�s decision to use a Linux cluster was their need for a computing system that could function as a web server, database provider and number cruncher all in one machine. With the use of a Linux NetworX cluster, SEQUENOM is able to provide all the functions the RealSNP.com online database needs to produce fast and accurate genomic information. SEQUENOM was also attracted to the expertise Linux NetworX demonstrated in its products and services.

�In today�s bioinformatics industry, access to accurate and validated information is vital, but not every research organization has the need for an in-house cluster system,� said Clark Roundy, vice president of marketing for Linux NetworX. �An ASP model using Linux cluster technology literally brings supercomputing power to the masses.�

About Linux NetworX

Linux NetworX (www.linuxnetworx.com) brings its powerful and easy-to-manage cluster technology to those demanding high performance and high availability systems. Linux NetworX provides solutions for organizations involved in oil and gas exploration, aeronautical and chemical modeling, biotechnology research, graphics rendering and visual effects, Web serving, ISPs, ASPs, and other technological research fields. Through its innovative Evolocity hardware, ICE(TM) cluster management tools and professional service and support, Linux NetworX provides end-to-end clustering solutions. To date, the company has built some of the largest cluster systems in the world, and boasts numerous Fortune 500 customers.

# # #
SEQUENOM(TM) and RealSNP.com(TM) are trademarks of, and all trade rights therein are owned by, SEQUENOM, Inc.

CONTACT:
Brad Rutledge
Linux NetworX
801-562-1010 ext. 218
brutledge@linuxnetworx.com

Tech Central: 50 Malaysian Clinics Use Open Source

Tech Central has a report on the Primary Care Doctors Organisation Malaysia (PCDOM) use of Open Source software for its PrimaCare Network Services (PNS) project: ‘… �Besides cost, the principles behind the Open Source Software (OSS) movement are similar to those of the medical profession � that is, the sharing of information on research findings, new medical techniques and breakthroughs,�…back in the 80s I used Clinic Boss, a proprietary clinic management system � when the vendor went bust, I had to throw away my system,� said Dr Molly Cheah, president of PCDOM.

Hardware-secured data storage

Wired reports that a graduate student at Dartmouth College wrote a data storage application utilizing the IBM 4758 tamper-proof cryptographic coprocessor (FIPS 140-1 level 4 !). Although this was originally intended to protect data from overzealous government agencies it could well be used for secure electronic patient records as the article says. Of course, the drawback is that the data is lost should the coprocessor destroy itself for whatever reason.

Successful GT.M VistA Installation

Todd Smith: Todd.Smith@camc.org has written to several lists about being: ‘…successful in installing GT.M and the GT.M port of Vista on my P166MMX Laptop, 64MB RAM and 3GB HD…’ This is an important event since the Veterans Administration VistA project is a huge code base with which to build EMR’s upon and it is public domain. Installation instructions are within.

Hello,

I am cross-posting these instructions to several lists that might not have seen them. If you have, please hit DELETE or forward to someone that needs them. NOTE These instructions were originally posted by that paragon of virtue, Mike Baker on the Hardhats list and he holds ALL RIGHTS RESERVED and no responsibility for destroying your system through this instructions.

I was successful in installing GT.M and the GT.M port of Vista on my P166MMX Laptop, 64MB RAM and 3GB HD. Thanks Mike for the hard work!

Mike Baker’s Setup Instructions
To setup GT.M on my RedHat Linux 7.2 system here is what I did:

1. Log in to Linux box as a normal user.
2. Make a directory for the downloaded files:
A. mkdir gtm
3. Download GT.M from www.sourceforge.net into the gtm directory you just
made.
A. I selected the gtm_V43FT06_linux_pro.tar.gz file.
4. Change directory to ~/gtm
A. cd ~/gtm
5. Gunzip the file to extract the tar file.
A. gunzip gtm_V43FT06_linux_pro.tar.gz
6. Extract the files from the archive:
A. tar xovf gtm_V43FT06_linux_pro.tar
7. Become the super user.
A. su
8. Create a link to the ncurses library that is installed with RH Linux from
the ncurses libary that is used by the GT.M configure script.
A. ln -s /usr/lib/libncurses.so.5 usr/lib/libncurses.so.4
9. Run the configure script from the gtm directory
A. sh configure
B. I just accepted the defaults where available.
C. I selected /usr/local/gtm as the directory for install.
10. Make a directory for the logs:
A. cd /usr/local/gtm
B. mkdir logs
C. chmod 777 logs
1. This is probably too many privs for this.
11. Exit superuser
12. Edit .bash_profile to setup the environment varibles when you log in:
A. cd ~
B. pico .bash_profile
1. I added the following to my .bash_profile
gtm_dist=/usr/local/gtm
export gtm_dist
gtmroutines=”. $gtm_dist /gtm_vista/r”
export gtmroutines
gtmgbldir=/gtm_vista/g
export gtmgbldir
PATH=$PATH:$gtm_dist
export PATH
2. Yours could look different: I have added a directory
called gtm_vista
that contains subdirectories for routines,(r), and
globals,(g).
13. You should now be able to log out and log in and run:
A. mumps -direct to get a mumps > prompt.

14. This is how I got the VistA stuff running on this system:

15. Download the global and routine files at:
http://hardhats.sourceforge.net/pub/steel/1.08
16. Create a directory for the Vista stuff.
A. su
B. cd /
C. mkdir gtm_vista
D. chmod 777 gtm_vista
1. Again these privs are much too lenient I’m sure.
E. exit ; su
E. cd /gtm_vista
F. mkdir g
G. cd g
H. mv ~/globals-1.08.zip globals-1.08.zip
I. unzip globals-1.08.zip
J. cd ..
K. mv ~/routines-1.08.zip routines-1.08.zip
L. unzip routines-1.08.zip
17. Now run:
A. mumps -r GDE
B. At the GDE prompt type:
1. change -s DEFAULT -f=/gtm_vista/g/mumps.dat
2. exit
C. Now type:
1. mupip create && dse change -f -key_max=255 -rec=4096
b 2. mupip load /gtm_vista/g/globals.zwr
D. I got these instructions from the Readme file when I downloaded
the
routines and globals. I modified slightly to make it work for me
but
it seems that this also works ok.

18. GETTING EXCITED YET?
19. Now I went into the mumps system:
A. mumps -direct
B. S DUZ=1
C. D ^XUP
1. EVE
2. USER
3. ADD
4. Set yourself up as a user.
5. Give yourself the EVE Menu.
6. Give yourself an access and verify code.
7. Make sure you give yourself a SERVICE/SECTION
8. exit
9. Answer yes to allocating keys
a. Give yourself:
b. XUMGR
c. XUPROG
d. XUPROGMODE
20. Now go to programmer mode through the options:
A. K DUZ
B. D ^XUP
C. Sign in using your access code
D. Hit return until you are back at a programmer prompt.
E. W DUZ – This is your DUZ
F. S $P(^VA(200,DUZ,0),”^”,4)=”@”

Debian-Med: Project Status

Andreas Tille has a status report on the Debian-Med project a Linux distribution for medicine and medical applications. The full text of the announcement is within.

NEWS:

(Main News) Website is now inside the official Debian hierarchy and it is translated completely into German. (Well completely means there is a German equivalent for each English sentence but I’m no real expert on the field of medicine and it would be really necessary to check the tranlations carefully.)

See

http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-med/

Split research.html into research and microbio.

Adds bugsx and emboss to microbio.

Found a veterinary practice management system: FreeVet.
Unfortunately this project seems to be dead but I hope someone
reading this will step in.

New Metapackages: med-imaging and med-imaging-dev.
Added bugsx to med-bio.
New version of resmed-doc package.

NEAR GOALS:

Entry in “Brave GNU world” columne of Linux Magazin.

Talk about Debian-Med at the Linuxtag in Magdeburg (Germany)

Logo. I would love it if someone could take over the organisation
of a logo contest – this is not one of my best fields.

Kind regards

Andreas.

FDA Validation a Threat to Free/OSS?

Arnaud Le Breton wrote in asking about the ‘regulatory aspects’ of medical open source especially in view of the FDA’s recent revised document “General Principles of Software Validation: Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff” which includes the following statement: ‘…computer systems used to create, modify, and maintain electronic records and to manage electronic signatures are also subject to the validation requirements. (See 21 CFR �11.10(a).) Such computer systems must be validated to ensure accuracy, reliability, consistent intended performance, and the ability to discern invalid or altered records.’ This could be VERY bad for the fledgling free and open source medical software industry if they have to pay for such validation. The complete text of Le Breton’s letter and discussion is within:

Hello,

First let me thank you for your informative linuxMedNews page.

The plan was to use GNU/LINUX as the OS for a medical device. I’ve developed only on Unixes systems and is fervent Linux enthusiast.

Linux seems like a rather nice choice, as you already know I guess :), but I came to realize that my lack of experience with medical issues has prevented me to foresee the regulatory aspect of the project, which I have been reminded of recently.

To make this mail short, I have gotten hold of the document issued by the FDA, entitled “General Principles of Software Validation : Final
Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff”.
It is a more complete version of the draft from 1997, and is more general then the document about Off-The-Shelf software use in medical devices from 1999.

I understand that the liability problem is important, but I fear that those legislation may prevent the free software model to succeed within medical software close to the patients (I think about the Linux Anaesthesia Modular Devices Interface, aka LAMDI project for example, that should not be used on humans).
(http://www.umanitoba.ca:8080/lamdi/index_html)

I took the chance to email as you are probably very updated about this topic, in hope to get some information, and your point of view about all this.

I am wondering starting up a project in order to maybe join forces between several people/companies interested in Linux or Free SW in
general for use in the medical sector, and medical device (Linux Medical Consortium, or something similar).

Thanks in advance for any informations or comments you may share with me, especially if you already know of devices that use Free software
and that have obtained an FDA approval.

Best Regards,

— arnaud LE BRETON

ABC: Can Robots Make People Happier?

Alot of hardware stories lately, this one from ABC News about the therapeutic use of Sony’s Aibo robotic dog: ‘… The robotic dogs were brought to Rosewalk by researchers at Indiana’s Purdue University as part of a pilot project to determine whether robots can make people happier.

“We find people who in nursing home settings might be socially isolated and don’t routinely chat with each other have something to talk about together, to have fun, to have reminiscences,” said Beck…’ But will it settle the question: ‘Do androids dream of electric sheep?’ for you Blade Runner fans. This link courtesy of Karsten Hilbert.

BMJ: NHS misses target for introducing electronic records

The British Medical Journal has a piece about how the National Health Service: ‘…has completely missed last month�s target to introduce electronic patient records across a third of acute hospitals�much as the medical profession had predicted. Department of Health officials admitted this month that only 3% of acute hospitals had introduced level 3 electronic patient records by 31 March, compared with the target of 35% set in its 1998 information technology (IT) strategy, Information for Health…”GPs have always been more computerised than secondary care. The fact that we can�t exchange results is a continuing source of frustration for us,” said Dr Cundy. “They�ve spent millions of pounds on new systems, which�by the time they are delivered�are obsolete and don�t work.” ‘