A Local Area Network for Medical Research; Planning, Realization and Experience^[*]

This report focusses on the planning and realization of an interdisciplinary local area network (LAN) for medical research at the University of Heidelberg. After a detailed requirements analysis, several networks were evaluated by means of a test installation, and a cost-performance analysis was carried out. At present, the LAN connects 45 (IBM-compatible) PCs, several heterogeneous mainframes (IBM, DEC and Siemens) and provides access to the public X.25 network and to wide-area networks for research (EARN, BITNET). The network supports application software that is frequently needed in medical research (word processing, statistics, graphics, literature databases and services, etc.). Compliance with existing “official” (e.g., IEEE 802.3) and “de facto” standards (e.g., PostScript) was considered to be extremely important for the selection of both hardware and software. Customized programs were developed to improve access control, user interface and on-line help. Wide acceptance of the LAN was achieved through extensive education and maintenance facilities, e.g., teaching courses, customized manuals and a hotline service. Since requirements of clinical routine differ substantially from medical research needs, two separate networks (with a gateway in between) are proposed as a solution to optimally satisfy the users’ demands.

Key-Words

Local Area Networks - Requirements Analysis - Cost-Performance Analysis - User Training - User Acceptance

• REFERENCES

• 1 Cooper IC, Crowther A, Hughes S, Webb-Peploe MM. Microcomputer networking in the hospital environment: powerful computing for the common man? Discussion paper. J R Soc Med 1989; 82: 285-7.
• 2 Haas P, Möhr JR, Sawinski R, Wieder-spohn J, Victor N. EDV-Gesamtkonzept Universitatsklinikum Heidelberg. In: Ehlers CT, Beland H. eds. Perspektiven der Informationsverarbeitung in der Medizin. Kritische Synopse der Nutzung der Infor-matik in der Medizin (31. Jahrestagung der GMDS). Heidelberg: Springer Verlag; 1986: 265-8.
• 3 Lambotte L. Quelques donnees de base en informatique illustreés par leur application en chirurgie. Acta Chir Belg 1986; 86: 295-9.
• 4 Mosley J, Sledge D, Brydon JW. Data communications within a health authority. J Med Eng Technol 1988; 12: 260-4.
• 5 Bakker AR, de Valk JP. EuroPACS: a catalyst for PACS in Europe. Med Inform 1988; 13: 279-80.
• 6 Engelhorn MW. A concept to distribute radiological images. In: Lemke HU, Rhodes ML, Jaffe CC, Felix R. eds. Computer Assisted Radiology. Proc Intern Symposium CAR ‘87. Heidelberg: Springer Verlag; 1987: 579-87.
• 7 Stut WJ, Didden HW, de Valk JP, Bakker ARr. Prediction and analysis of PACS performance with the simulation tool MIRACLES. Med Inform 1988; 13: 349-59.
• 8 Giere W, Göhring R. USA-Reisebe-richt der »Arbeitsgruppe Kommunikation«. Frankfurt/Main: Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe-Universität; 1986
• 9 Allen R. A Distributed Computer Network Using Microcomputers for On-line Data Processing in Clinical Monitoring and Medical Research. J Biomed Eng 1980; 02: 299-304.
• 10 Arenson RL, Morton DE, London JW. Early experience with fiber optic picture archival communication system (PACS) for medical images. In: ProcSPIE. 2ndlnt Conf and Workshop on Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS II) for Med Applications. Kansas City; 1983: 116-21.
• 11 Lindberg DA. Computer networks within health care: The state of the art in the U.S.A. In: Communication Networks in Health Care. Amsterdam: North-Holland Publ Comp; 1982: 109-20.
• 12 Macmillan R, Poole F, Anderson J. A Hospital Information System based on a Network of Microcomputers. In: Lindberg DAB, Kaihara S. eds. MEDINFO 80. Amsterdam: North-Holland Publ Comp; 1980: 162-5.
• 13 Noz ME, Maguire GQ, Erdman WA. Local area networks in an imaging environment. Crit Rev Med Inform 1986; 01: 81-133.
• 14 Packer CL. Local area networks increase 500% in 1986. Hospitals 1987; 61: 110.
• 15 Principi EG, Peabody PS, Korpman R. Better care, shorter stays, thanks to networking (patient care networks). Data Comm 1986; 15: 189-98.
• 16 Simborg DW, Chadwick MG, Whitting-O’Keefe QE, Tolchin SG, Kahn SA, Bergan ES. Local Area Network and the Hospital. Comp Biomed Res 1983; 16: 247-59.
• 17 Tolchin SG. Overview of an architectural approach to the development of the Johns Hopkins Hospital distributed clinical information system. J Med Syst 1986; 10: 321-38.
• 18 Tolchin SG, Barta W. Local Network and Distributed Processing Issues in The Johns Hopkins Hospital. J Med Syst 1986; 10: 339-53.
• 19 Tsingotjidis P, Kositpaiboon R, Georganas ND. Radiological image transfers over local area networks. In: IEEE MONTECH ‘87 Conferences. Communications -Telecommunications Today and Tomorrow. Montreal, 1987: 71-4.
• 20 Zeichner ML. Multi-Media Information Distribution for Hospitals by using Coaxial Cable. In: Lindberg DAB, Kaihara S. eds. MED1NFO 80. Amsterdam: North-Holland Publ Comp; 1980: 174-8.
• 21 Burton K. Medical research aided by minicomputers. Data Proc 1985; 27: 37-9.
• 22 Dupuits FM, Hasman A, Heumakers TA, Schoonbrood GG. A research tool for general practitioners. Int J Biomed Comp 1987; 21: 275-86.
• 23 Gorry GA, Burger AM, Chaney RJ, Long KB, Tausk CM. A virtual notebook for biomedical groups. Bull Med Libr Assoc 1988; 76: 256-67.
• 24 Johannes RS. One year’s experience with the Corvus Omninet Local Area Network. In: Proc Eight Annual Sympos Comp Appl Med Care. Washington DC: IEEE Computer Society; 1984: 775-8.
• 25 Kleinmuntz B. Diagnostic problem solving by computer. A historical review and the current state of the science. Comp Biomed Res 1983; 14: 255-70.
• 26 Peterson JA. A microcomputer network for biochemistry. Comp Appl Biosci 1985; 01: 3-5.
• 27 Pratt AW. Progress towards a medical information system for the research environment. Meth Inf Med 1972; 06: 319-36.
• 28 Clayden GS, Wilson B. Computer-assisted learning in medical education. Med Educ 1988; 22: 456-67.
• 29 Feldman EB, Borum BR, DiGirolamo M. et al. Creation of a regional medical-nutrition education network. Am J Clin Nutr 1989; 49: 10-6.
• 30 Manning PR, Petit DW. The past, present and future of continuing medical education. J Am Med Ass 1987; 258: 3542-6.
• 31 Rankin J. Computer networking for nurses. Is it time yet?. Comp Nurs 1988; 06: 227-8.
• 32 Gerneth F, Haux R, Selbmann HK. Medizinische Forschungssubsysteme und ihre Integration in Klinikuminformationssysteme: Ein Beispiel. In: Kohler CO. ed. Medizinische Dokumentation und Information: Handbuch für Klinik und Praxis. Landsberg/Lech: Ecomed; 1990: 1-27.
• 33 Schosser R, Weiss C, Holzforster HJ, Messmer K. Anwendungsmoglichkeiten und Benutzeranforderungen an ein lokales Netzwerk in der medizinischen Forschung. In: Ehlers CT, Beland H. eds. Perspektiven der Informadonsverarbeitung in der Medizin. Kritische Synapse der Informatik in der Medizin. Heidelberg: Springer Verlag; 1986: 439-42.
• 34 Pfister M. Test und Bewertung verschiedener LAN-Produkte zur Auswahl eines PC- LAN mil Verbindung zu Grofirechnern fur den FSP 16.2 der Universitdt Heidelberg (Thesis Medical Informatics). Heidelberg: Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat; 1986
• 35 Tolchin SG, Bergan ES, Kahn SA. et al. Report on the Implementation of a Hospital Local Area Network at UCSF. In: Proc Sixteenth Annual Hawaii Intern Conf System Sciences 1983; 3-13.
• 36 Tolchin SG, Stewart RL, Kahn SA. et al. Implementation of a prototype generalized network technology for hospitals. In: Proc Fifteenth Hawaii Intern Conf System Sciences 1982; 942-8.
• 37 Anderson G, Steinberg E. To buy or not to buy. Technology acquisition under prospective payment. N Engl J Med 1984; 311: 182-5.
• 38 Stead WW, Hammond EW, Winfree RG. Beyond a basic HIS: Workstations for department management. Methods Inf Med 1984; 23: 197-9.