Volume 1, Issue 1 May/June 1999

IAIMS — What it is and why we are doing it

IAIMS is the acronym for Integrated Advanced Information Management Systems, a grant program administered by the National Library of Medicine. In the most basic sense, IAIMS is intended to lead to institution-wide sharing of information stored electronically. Technically, it is developing computer systems that talk to each other, allowing the free flow of data from mainframes to palmtops to desktops to high-end laboratory workstations; and creating data gathering and storage methods that allow individualized and aggregate data to be saved and recalled for clinical, research, and educational use. Humanly, it is making information available whenever and wherever it is needed, in ways that allow it to be used easily and effectively.

IAIMS at the RCBHSC is people working together to create an environment where computer systems enhance our abilities to deliver quality healthcare. The Program Team, the Focus Teams, and the Working Groups mentioned in this newsletter are researchers, educators, dentists, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, administrators, librarians, computer technicians, instructional designers, and more, in many combinations. Some are computer experts, some not. What they have in common is the realization that information is critical to all of our missions (institutionally) and all of our jobs (personally). Ease of access to the data we need is an important part of the IAIMS concept, as are data security, communication about new activities and resources, and, ultimately, improved efficiency and better patient care.

Please take a moment to peruse this first IAIMS newsletter and see some of what has been done so far. Then, think about what Integrated Information might mean for you, now and in the future -- and let us know.

Understanding IAIMS

The Health Sciences Center IAIMS Program is the result of a two-year planning grant awarded by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to produce Integrated Advanced Information Systems. Embracing the IAIMS concept means the Health Sciences Center will strive to integrate information from a wide array of sources and provide educators, clinicians, students, and administrators ready access to these resources when and where they are needed.

Academic health centers pursue the IAIMS model because it is seen as a way to make information technology successful at their institutions. Our IAIMS initiative will provide the framework and direction to address current and future information technology challenges.

The IAIMS Planning Grant provides an opportunity for the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy, and the other major divisions of the Health Sciences Center to develop an information technology strategic plan. This goal of creating a master plan for information technology will require multidisciplinary collaboration. Patient care, educational programs, and research opportunities are increasingly dependent on how effectively we share information.

Successful completion of the IAIMS planning grant is expected to lead to the award of an implementation grant from the National Library of Medicine.

Who’s Who in IAIMS?

Terrance M. Burton, tburton@.wvu.edu, director of the Health Sciences Library, serves as principal investigator and director of the IAIMS Program. Valerie Frey-McClung, vfreymcc@wvu.edu, is the program administrator. Eilene McDaniel, emcdaniel@wvuactech1.hsc.wvu.edu, provides clerical support for the program.

Program Team

The IAIMS Program Team is responsible for guiding the development of recommendations on information technology policy and processes. It includes representation from WVUH, UHA, and each school and major program area in the Health Sciences Center. Membership on the Program Team includes Marie Abate, Edna Bruehl, Terrance Burton, Valerie Frey-McClung, James Hackett, Kevin Halbritter, Kenneth Landreth, Deborah Lewis, MaryBeth Mandich, Elaine Mason, Martha Mullett, Rebecca Rodd, Laura Roth, Amir Ramezan, and Norton Smith.

Aims of the IAIMS Program

The specific goals of the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center IAIMS Program are to:

Identify the critical data and information needs, including library resources, necessary for patient care, education, research, and administrative enterprises of the RCBHSC.

• Develop policy and planning activities to provide seamless access to data and information in a way that allows students, faculty, and staff to integrate these resources effectively in their work.

• Develop a policy and a process to align the management of data and information with strategic planning processes of the RCBHSC organizations.

• Establish a policy and a collaborative process for the organization and integration of information management units to achieve effective utilization and strategic management of data and information resources.

• Develop the key functional objectives and strategies for an IAIMS implementation program that can begin by the end of the planning project, the major elements of which can be achieved within five years after implementation begins.


IAIMS Activities

Four focus groups were formed to assess information needs related to administration, patient care, education, and research across all health science disciplines at West Virginia University.

Kenneth Landreth, Research; MaryBeth Mandich, Education; Martha Mullett, Clinical/Patient Care; and Laura Roth, Administration chaired the focus groups.

Each focus group has summarized its findings and offered recommendations in the form of individual reports. Working committees are currently being formed to develop goals, strategies, and tactics to address information needs identified by the focus groups.

The needs assessment reports and the make up of each focus group will be posted on the IAIMS web page, http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/iaims/.

HSC Information Technology Units

The Office of the Associate Vice-President for Finance and Administration of the HSC provides Information Technology support to the departments and schools of the Health Sciences Center. The Information Technology group at the HSC is comprised of four units: Information Systems Operations, Academic Technologies, Data Systems, and Telecommunications.

Information Systems Operations –

http://iso.hsc.wvu.edu

Information Systems Operations (ISO) is located on the second floor of Health Sciences South. This unit provides networking services, user training and support to Health Sciences Center students, faculty, and staff in support of the teaching, learning, and research mission of the Health Sciences Center.

The ISO/Networking Services unit supports and maintains a state-of-the-art network infrastructure and provides network resources to our user community.

The ISO/Computer-Based Learning Center, also known as the CBLC, provides training and software consulting. Three state-of-the-art computer labs are available for workshops, software consulting, open lab use, and faculty reservations. Please see http://iso.hsc.wvu.edu/cblc/ for more information about CBLC.

The ISO/Help Desk provides second-line system support to Health Sciences Center schools/departments. First-line system support is provided by the school/ department Computer Support Contact (CSC). Your CSC will provide first level user support and will coordinate networking needs (such as the creation of e-mail accounts) for the school/department with the ISO department. Any computer related questions should be directed to your CSC. The Health Sciences Center Help Desk will provide second level user support to the CSC as needed. To identify your CSC, please reference the CSC roster at http://iso.hsc.wvu.edu/csc/ or contact the ISO/Help Desk at 293-3631. For more information on the HSC Help Desk, please reference http://iso.hsc.wvu.edu/helpdesk/.

Academic Technologies

Academic Technologies is comprised of the following units: Academic User Support, Advanced Technology, and Instructional Technology. Advanced Technology develops, implements, and evaluates the integration of technology into the teaching, research and outreach programs of the Health Sciences Center. This unit also maintains the Health Sciences Center Web Server (http://www.hsc.wvu.edu).

The Instructional Technology unit serves as a support to faculty members who wish to include computer based instruction in their courses. The unit offers instructional design consultation, on-line course and testing packages, software evaluation, faculty development workshops, and multimedia production assistance.

Data Systems

HSC Data Systems provides database consulting and development to Health Sciences Center departments. Supported database environments are Access, Oracle, System Z, and Paradox.

HSC Telecommunications

The HSC Telecommunications department coordinates telecommunication services for the Health Sciences Center with WVU Telecommunications. Telecommunication requests such as ISDN phone installation/ modification, TID, Voice Mail, and analog line installation, should be routed to this department.

A listing of HSC Information Technology contacts can be found on the last page of this newsletter.

Coming Soon – Clinical IT Units

The next issue of the IAIMS newsletter will include a description of the Information Technology units at West Virginia University Hospitals, Inc. and University Health Associates.

Reader Comments Welcomed

Your comments and suggestions about the newsletter are welcome. Contact the editor, Valerie Frey-McClung at 304-293-1081 or vfreymcc@wvu.edu.
 

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If you have any comments or questions, please contact  IAIMS Program Administrator Sr.
Valerie Frey-McClung at vfreymcc@wvu.edu