A single database
SystmOne is a single unified database available to all healthcare professionals. The concept of a unified database is illustrated in the model below. In order for this model to work, the following points need to be addressed:
- technical security
- response times over low bandwidth
- confidentiality when sharing care
the security
"The network is not secure... My data is safer on my Practice Server... All sorts of people will be able to get my patient records... It will be on the Internet..."
The data is held in a Secure Application Block (SAB) in St Albans. The reality is that the patients' records are much safer in this environment than on the practice's server. The SAB, managed and hosted by BT, provides a secure and powerful solution guaranteed by the company's 24-hour support. This includes state of the art Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems, highly redundant networks and advanced monitoring systems ensuring the customers' maximum uptime. All communication between the client/server is 128 bit encrypted.
response times over low bandwidth
SystmOne has very little utilisation of bandwidth with most practices able to work over a 64k link.
confidentiality when sharing patient Records
"Patient confidentiality will be compromised... I don't want people writing rubbish on my quality records that I have taken years to get to this state... I don't want to see what anyone else has written..."
There are some very subtle considerations taken into account when designing the database and underlying architecture that allows sharing of records. Sharing of records is done by the sharer creating views or filters of the record that he/she wants the department or individual shared with to see.
