Middleware architecture for patient care data transmission using wireless networks

ABSTRACT

Mobile healthcare is becoming a prominent leader in integration of information technology into real-time applications. Wireless communication technology provides the pre-eminent infrastructure for implementing mobile health care applications. Reliable and secure information sharing using a wireless communication environment is a key issue in health care scenarios. In this paper we propose an Agent-based Mobile Middleware Architecture (AMMA), an agent technology based message oriented middleware, which provides an intelligent solution to reliability, mobility and security issues. Agent technology is an appropriate middleware for mobile devices such as laptop, PDA and other handheld devices, due to its efficient resource management ability. A Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) based secure communication protocol is used. Middleware messaging based on medical data messaging standards, such as Health Level 7 (HL7) and Digital Image Communication (DICOM), is implemented. An electronic Patient Call Report (e-PCR) system, a mobile application tool for data capturing, was designed for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and tested using CDMA-1xrtt network. The results are discussed.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  J. Computer Applications
  J.3 LIFE AND MEDICAL SCIENCES

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design, Performance, Reliability, Security

Keywords:
code division multiple access (CDMA), digital image communication (DICOM), emergency medical service (EMS), global positioning system (GPS), health level 7 (HL7), middleware, mobile agents