The Role of 'ZIBs' in Healthcare Information Systems: Towards Data Sharing and Standardization
Zibs zijn diamantjes in het zorginformatiestelsel | ICT&health
Summary
Zibs (Care Information Building Blocks) are a mechanism for establishing common agreements among multiple healthcare providers regarding the meaning of medical concepts. This process centralizes the characteristics and definitions of concepts—such as 'blood pressure'—making them reusable across various information systems and international data exchange standards like FHIR.
Details
This article explains Zibs (Care Information Building Blocks). A zib is a managed, shared agreement among different healthcare providers concerning the meaning of a specific medical concept. Based on this consensus, the characteristics and attributes of the concept are incorporated into an information model. This generic information model can then be utilized in various information standards and exchange specifications (such as FHIR). By using zibs, the first necessary step is taken toward ensuring reusability and data availability across different healthcare domains, utilizing a 'unit of language and understanding.' The implementation of this system was notably introduced through projects like 'registration at the source,' starting with university medical centers (UMCs) and gradually expanding to general hospitals. Since zibs are open source, organizations have the freedom to use their own specifications for concepts. However, according to the article, when reusability and data availability are required, using the information model based on this common agreement is the best choice. The discussion provides a comprehensive view of zibs—their concept, development/management process, and practical application challenges—from the perspective of a Health Informatician. This knowledge offers insights relevant to solving data standardization and interoperability issues faced by Japanese healthcare institutions.
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