Pain
Our client needed to integrate the PatientKeeper patient feed into multiple internal processing and reporting systems. The existing infrastructure for doing the import did not meet the standards established by the management team: It was not flexible, and was expensive and time consuming to maintain. speakTECH was called in to address the needs with BizTalk Server. Our client needed a system that would not only replace their existing legacy code and manual processes, but would also provide them with a development platform that would position them well for future changes in data structures or client feeds.
Replaced Technology
Our client's systems entailed a good deal of custom .NET development from prior projects, plus a great deal of legacy code.
Replaced Processes
Like many healthcare organizations, our client suffered from the need to manage multiple systems that all processed files differently and with varying levels of processing capabilities. The majority of the work was done via manual processes with human checks to ensure accuracy, causing unnecessary expense and error rework.
Proposed Solution
Our proposed solution for these issues called for an implementation of BizTalk Server utilizing the Microsoft HL7 accelerated adapter. We would:
- Assist the EDI Group in the development of BizTalk based publish and subscribe architectural requirements.
- Assist the EDI Group in the research of BizTalk 2004 and 2006 solutions in support of our clients BizTalk architectural requirements.
- Assist the EDI Group in the definition and design of BizTalk 2004 artifacts in support of the BizTalk architecture.
- Assist the EDI Group resources implement BizTalk 2004 architectural artifact building blocks in a prototype environment.
- Assist the EDI Group in the planning, design, and implementation of the Patient Keeper interface which will utilize our clients publish and subscribe architecture and building blocks.
Software Used
- Microsoft BizTalk Server 2004
- Microsoft HL7 Accelerated Adapter
- SQL Server 2000
- Visual Studio .Net 2003
Services Provided
During a four week Proof-of-Concept, speakTECH developed a system that included customization of HL7 for non-standard HL7 vendor implementation. The new system integrates three internal/external applications with the PatientKeeper data files on a real-time basis. The next phases of the project call for integration of other key clinical systems to their core financial applications.
Results
By leveraging the power of BizTalk Server 2004, many of the issues faced by our client were addressed quickly and effectively. speakTECH successfully demonstrated a unified process for importing and transferring PatientKeeper data both to internal and external applications and reports.