At 16:31 -0500 on 30-12-1996, [log in to unmask] wrote:
> In a message dated 28/12/96 22:19:03, you write:
>
> >If we can soon make (EDIFACT) work safely and effectively and
> >make it available at a resonable cost will people not want to use it?
>
> Funny you should ask this. We did this for e-mail in Sheffield, eventually,
> and the usage slowly fell as there did not seem to be a good reason for using
> it. EDIFACT will only become useful when it results in the transfer of read
> coded clinicaly useful data end to end. I have lost count of the number of
> times I have said that this is all very well but what is the clinical
> usefulness of such and such an advance on IT committees. There is probably
> now more internet mail between Sheffield GP's than there is secure,
> effective, safe, bespoke x-400 mail (back me up Mick)
>
I will tell you my own experiences.
Years ago I was one of the first in my area to use EDIFAKT to receive
messages : Lab results, Discharge/admissions, X-Ray results.
It was not possible to insert them into the record. I had to retype them!
Now there are certain systems which can insert the date with the patient.
In the last couple of years no new EDIFAKT messages were made.
Messages originating in one area can not be transported to a neighboring one.
Only recently some links became possible.
When I started to use the Macintosh it wasn't possible to use EDIFAKT.
There were no generaly available aplications for it.
The workaround is to emulate DOS and use the DOS application and then
import it.
When a letter about a patient is received it can be attatched to the
patient. It will stay free text. It cannot be handled in an inteligent way.
So I decided to stop using EDIFAKT beause of the above, but foremost
because not all hospitals are capable to use EDIFAKT.
The standard is there, but no infrastructure.
And look at the Internet!
Applications galore for all systems!
Very easy to use. Where as the EDIFAKT program was not pleasant to work with.
And an infrastructure the world over!
EDIFAKT works, but stinks.
Internet shines, works like a breeze! And has a lot of future.
Gerard Freriks,huisarts, MD
C. Sterrenburgstr 54
3151JG Hoek van Holland
the Netherlands Telephone: (+31) (0)174-384296/ Fax: -386249
Mobile : (+31) (0)6-54792800
ARS LONGA, VITA BREVIS
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