Exploiting ebXML registry semantic constructs for handling archetype metadata in healthcare informatics

Using archetypes is a promising approach in providing semantic interoperability among healthcare systems. To realize archetype based interoperability, the healthcare systems need to discover the existing archetypes based on their semantics; annotate their archetypes with ontologies; compose templates from archetypes and retrieve corresponding data from the underlying medical information systems. In this paper, we describe how ebXML Registry semantic constructs can be used for annotating, storing, discovering and retrieving archetypes. For semantic annotation of archetypes, we present an example archetype metadata ontology and describe the techniques to access archetype semantics through ebXML query facilities. We present a GUI query facility and describe how the stored procedures we introduce, move the semantic support beyond what is currently available in ebXML registries. We also address how archetype data can be retrieved from clinical information systems by using ebXML Web services. A comparison of Web service technology with ebXML messaging system is provided to justify the reasons for using Web services.