Collaborative healthcare process modelling:: A case study

Hospitals and health systems are trying to harmonise their information systems. However, most efforts have focused on data exchange, while little work has been carried out on the harmonisation of healthcare processes. Nonetheless, the latter may offer a number of advantages, such as the development of reference models containing best practices, and the fact that data exchange and systems integration can be more easily achieved on the basis of common (or similar) processes. In this communication, we present our experiences on collaborative modeling the current situation of healthcare process carried out within a national-wide network of Spanish hospitals. A methodology for collaboratively developing healthcare reference models is proposed, and the main findings in their application are presented.