Node.js: its potential in healthcare
- 1. Node.js Its potential in healthcare Rob Tweed M/Gateway Developments Ltd http://www.mgateway.com Twitter: @rtweed
- 2. Background Management consultant: healthcare IT IT Consultant: web/Ajax/XML/Cloud/NoSQL Developer Node.js / Javascript EWD: web application development framework Cach é & GT.M databases
- 3. Healthcare IT Your healthcare records are probably stored in a Cach é or GT.M database Global storage technology UK: GP systems Many hospital systems (especially in Scotland) Many lab systems (especially in Wales) All US veterans and their families ( > 4m people) Many of the largest commercial US EHRs Many healthcare exchanges (RHIOs) Not just US & UK Yet most people have never heard of them!
- 4. Open Source EHRs Dept of Veterans Affairs (VA): VistA Development started in late 1970s Highly functional, well liked by VA clinicians Available as Free Open Source EHR for use by anyone Several commercial variants WorldVistA: fully Open Source version WorldVistA: becoming recognised as a viable free alternative for small US hospitals Problem: VistA's UI is very old-fashioned Needs modernising
- 5. Modernising VistA with Node.js Problem: the programming language VistA and all Cach é or GT.M-based healthcare systems: M or MUMPS Javascript as a new alternative Various connectors and interfaces at: https://github.com/robtweed One language, front and back New, innovative functionality possible New generation of developers
- 6. Realtime web in healthcare Node.js & socket.io / Websockets Realtime graphical display: Diagnostic information Administrative information Using commodity mobile devices
- 7. Modernising VistA iPad interface on 30-year old application Uses Sencha Touch & EWD WebSockets + real-time charts is planned for next stage
- 8. Semantic Healthcare Web Cach é /GT.M triple store RDF-based data interchange Interconnected web of data Querying/exploration using SPARQL Looking at integrating https://github.com/antoniogarrote/rdfstore-js with Cach é /GT.M Node.js RDF/Triple store Add persistence in Cach é /GT.M database
- 9. Huge industry in need of new talent Most Node.js activity: Social networking & relatively trivial applications Healthcare IT is a huge industry Large, legacy applications that can't be easily replaced Integration with old legacy code Massive opportunity for new skills for innovative UI design
- 10. Node.js in healthcare Node.js: huge potential for rejuvenating legacy systems A great industry where you can really make a difference that genuinely matters Javascript: An ideal replacement as the programming language for healthcare