Development of an Interoperable Object-Oriented Design for Gynecology Data Management Compatible with the Iranian Electronic Health Record

In order to design and develop an efficient electronic health record (EHR) in Iran, the assimilation of health information systems based on a common language for the interpretation and sharing of information with HER is essential. The current research provides an object-oriented design for gynecology data management based on unified modeling language (UML). By applying this model, it is possible to improve interoperability capabilities of Iranian EHR.
This applied, developmental, and cross-sectional study was carried out in 2015. First, published minimum data sets on gynecology and prenatal care in Iran were evaluated. Then, experts assessed and verified the most comprehensive minimum data set for Iran. In the next step, an object-oriented model was designed based on specific data patterns which were extracted from international standards matched with Iranian EHR to satisfy the interoperability requirements of healthcare information. Finally, the object-oriented design was created by applying UML in visual paradigm software package and the prototype of the system was developed.
The designed system was directly used by 3 people as main users (clinical secretor, physician, and system administrator). Moreover, this system can interact with the Iranian EHR as an external actor. Use case, activity, sequence, and class diagrams were drawn. Data elements were coded based on national coding standards.
Coordination of standardization of different components using software analysis and design is necessary for the successful implementation and pervasive acceptance of EHRs. Object-oriented analysis and design provide a suitable tool for the modeling complexity in software systems. Applying content and technical standards in the design and implementation of EHRs render it useful and applicable in terms of information integration and interoperability. Keywords: Electronic Health Records; Gynecology; Object-Oriented Design