Presenting an Integrated Architecture of Hospital Information Systems Based on Interoperability Model: Clinical Information Systems

Introduction: Hospital information system (HIS) as an integrated information system is used for daily operations, planning, care, and treatment of patients. Due to the existence of various and heterogeneous healthcare information systems, HIS encounters interoperability problems. In this regard, this study aimed to propose an integrated architecture for HIS based on the interoperability model. Method: This research is a strategic-applied study for achieving an integrated HIS architecture, focusing on clinical information systems (CIS). First, the requirements of clinical information systems were carried out through library studies, the review of the statistics office of the Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education, and it was also reviewed and confirmed by information technology experts. Then, different interoperability frameworks and HIS architecture models were studied. Finally, the integrated HIS architecture model was proposed based on the interoperability model. Results: The integrated HIS architecture based on the interoperability model includes three architecture models as follows: references, software, and information. Reference architecture is proposed generally for the HIS and customized for CIS. For implementing various HISs, software architecture is proposed. And information architecture is used for storing, processing, and transmitting the information. Conclusion: Considering the necessity of integration in the health system, this study creates the possibility of interoperability and integration between HIS systems by applying the guidelines of integration in the architecture, which leads to cost reduction, quality improvement, and timely decision-making