Becoming a user?

When you have interest in using these webservices please click on the Tab 'Community of users' and fill out the registration form. An e-mail will be generated and you will be contacted.

Basic information

System requirements: Minimal: Internet Explorer version 6; optimal version 7 or Firefox. Screen resolution minimal 1024x768; optimal 1280x1024

Technical aspects: The INTERMED methodology is supported by software. This software is provided as a web service. The software has 2 unique features:

• The Web service, web-2 technology and Privacy Protection: The web service is build with the use of opensource software Intermed-model.pdf. It does not require any other software but “Internet Explorer” on a Windows-based computer or “Firefox” on a Mac-computer. This implies that every health care provider with access to internet can use the tool. No software installation is needed nor does it need to be part of a propriatary system. However, the use of computers and internet is subordinate to rules on privacy protection. These have 2 dimensions: they concern the way healthcare personel uses their computers and the way the software is designed. As far as the software design concerns, it has been build according to ISO-norms. In the Netherlands further operationalized in NEN 7510 and 7511-norms for data-protection in the care healthcare sector reinforced by Nictiz¹. In the US these are formulated in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA²). These norms concern a. access management, b. data encryption and c. audit analyses. In 2009 the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) has asked for an evaluation by an independent HIPAA-consultant. In his report it is stated that the web service is in compliance with HIPAA Privacy Rule regulations
  
  
• Generic and flexible tool: The INTERMED application build on the above mentioned platform provides high flexibility:
  • Multi-langual application: the tool is available in several  languages; switches from one to another language is just a 'click' away.
    
  • Branches:  Branches with additional risk and needs variables can be created. For instance the risk of drug interactions for preoperative assessment.
  • Outcomes: All kind of outcomes assessment tools can be added, be it biomedical, such as Body Mass Index or HbA-1C, psychometric, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire or administrative, such as "missed appointments".
  • Projects: Local and collaborative projects for clinical care and research including continious outcome measusrement can be created.
  • Outcome-driven care: Consultants (and researchers) can be automatically signaled to do outcome assessments in specific patients.
    

• HL7-connectivity: Health Level Seven International (HL7) is the global authority on standards for interoperability of health information technology with members in over 55 countries. In future versions of the web service, there will be a specific focus on safe interconnectivity with existing health care computer systems.
  

Supporting documentation can be found under Tab 'Documentation'.

References

¹ Nictiz:
The National IT Institute for Healthcare in the Netherlands (Nictiz) is the national coordination point and knowledge centre for IT and innovation in the healthcare sector. The national switch point forms the core of electronic communications in the sector, which is managed by Nictiz. Any authorized healthcare practitioner can be connected to the switch point so that he or she can obtain the latest and most relevant information about a patient at any time, from anywhere in the Netherlands and in a simple, secure and reliable way. In consultation with and at the request of the healthcare sector, Nictiz is continuously developing and refining national standards for electronic communications in healthcare. Furthermore, Nictiz supports the sector in developing functional IT solutions that can be used nationwide, and contributes to policy making on IT issues as they relate to healthcare on a national and international level. (www.nictiz.nl/)

² HIPAA Privacy Rule:
The Office for Civil Rights enforces the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 Privacy Rule.  The HIPAA Privacy Rule protects the privacy of individually identifiable health information, and the confidentiality provisions of the Patient Safety Rule, which protect identifiable information being used to analyze patient safety events and improve patient safety (www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/).