EBMEDS engine

Platform independence

The EBMEDS runs as a web service and is platform independent. Our clients are currently running the EBMEDS service in e.g. Windows, Linux/Unix and MacOS X environments. No database is needed for the installation, because the EBMEDS local service consists entirely of small text files.

Components

The first part of the EBMEDS service is the conversion filter, which converts incoming classification codes to neutral aliases and absolute finding values to values relative to reference values or SI standard values. Thus, the EBMEDS system is compatible with many classification code systems, laboratory-specific reference values and different measuring units.

The normalized data from the conversion filter is then processed in the EBMEDS Engine, which creates the standard variables and objects used in the EBMEDS scripts. The engine calls a function library, which performs standard calculations (e.g. BMI, GFR) called by several EBMEDS scripts.

Technologies

The scripts are written in the standard server-side JavaScript language (ECMAScript 5), which is compiled by the JavaScript interpreter of a web server application. Global scripts are available for all users on a global level, and are maintained and edited by the EBMEDS staff. Trained users can add national or local script sets, which are available only locally or may be shared with other users.

Scripts may use data stored in auxiliary data tables. These tables are pure text files, and no database application needs to be installed. At the moment, auxiliary data tables are available for drug interactions, drug contraindications, drug indications, drugs and renal failure, and links between diagnoses and the Evidence-Based Medicine Guidelines (EBMG) collection.

Modularity

EBMEDS consists of several modules. One type of module is a table-based auxiliary database. Database installations are not required at all. At present, auxiliary databases address treatment guidelines based on diagnoses as well as drug indications, contraindications, interactions, use in renal failure and during pregnancy and lactation