Background

This project made the following achievements in fiscal 2004 verification research.

1. We used the technique of IHE-J for the first time in Japan. We actually operated the radiology information system where interoperability was ensured to a certain level between the multi-vendors. Thus, we were able to show the usefulness of IHE-J guidelines.
2. We completed facilities and visitor acceptance arrangement to allow visitors to see "the system in which interoperability was realized by adoption of IHE-J guidelines and which is actually working". We played a role of showcase-role of IHE-J guidelines, and received visitors mainly from medical institutions.
3. We encouraged some institutions interested in interoperability to adopt IHE-J guidelines, and we contributed to the sound growth of information system market and to the spread of IHE-J.

However, some people say, "This is only completion of the minimum implementation required to verify the usefulness of IHE-J". This project must look toward the future, promote interoperability in the non-IHE-J sector now existing in the radiology department and enable the whole system to use, in a collective manner, the accomplishment of interoperability in the radiology department. At the same time, we should enable the departments other than radiology to use, as horizontal deployment, the know-how cultivated in the radiology department. We need to further study such technologies that can be implemented in common across all the departments.

Purpose

The next step of this project is "to increase the number of medical institutions that want to realize interoperability using IHE-J". We need to build such environment that facilitates many medical institutions to decide introduction of the inexpensive, good-quality system that conform to IHE-J guidelines. Therefore, this project aims at doing study and implementation with the following main steps, and contributes to the spread and promotion of interoperability using IHE-J.

1. The goal is to further ensure interoperability in the medical information system. We must complement such sectors that do not conform to IHE-J. Thus, we aim at improving interoperability and reducing the barrier that is caused by partial adoption in medical institutions.
2. We select the important implementation issues of higher clinical priority. We collaborate with standardizing organizations, IHE-J Committee, etc. About the integration profile that conforms to the workflow in Japan, we build the system based on IHE-J guidelines.
3. The technology cultivated in the radiology department should be interoperable for other departments and IT infrastructure itself. We should pay attention to the horizontal deployment and social framework, study the technologies, and contribute to the spread of IHE-J.