The document discusses using the Unified Modeling Language (UML) to model the e-prescribing process in Italy. UML can help manage the complexity of modeling a prescribing process, which involves the transition from diagnosis to treatment and needs continuous monitoring. It allows formal specification of actors, interactions, and object properties. This can help control the full process, validate actions, and prevent errors and omissions, thereby improving safety. The presentation provides examples of how UML can be used to model different aspects of e-prescribing.

1. 1
Luca Mazzola, Stefano Bonacina, Sara Marceglia,
and Francesco Pinciroli
USI - University of Lugano, Switzerland
Institute for Communication Technologies
Politecnico di Milano – Milan, Italy
Dipartimento di Bioingegneria
IFHRO 2010 – Milan, IT - 17th
November 2010
UML process modeling for e-Prescribing in Italy

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Agenda
➢Prescribing
➢Critical aspects
➢Managing complexity
➢Why using UML...
➢Example 1, 2 & 3
➢Expected results

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Prescribing
Legal document from GP to pharmacist
Transition from diagnosis to treatment (process)
Expected effects:
Decreasing effects of diagnosed disease
Eliminating disease causes (if possible)
Suggesting other exams to undertake

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Critical aspects
A process (needs of continuous monitoring)
Well-known readability problem of RX
Errors or omissions in filling drug data
Drug2Drug interaction consideration & Adverse
Drug Events awareness and reporting
Modelling of single pieces, as supporting tool

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By means of:
Decomposition
Hierarchical division
Functional relationship
Properties elicitation
Managing complexity

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Why using UML...
Unified Modeling Language
From software engineering field (OMG)
Able to describe:
Actors
Interaction between components
Property of objects/subjects
Enabling:
Formal specification
Expected behaviours

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Example 1

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Example 2

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Example 3

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Expected results
Ability to control the full process
Validation of performed actions
Guarantee of safety from common pitfalls
Prevention of errors and omissions
...

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Thanks for the attention...
Questions?
http://www.medinfopoli.polimi.it/
http://www.itc.com.usi.ch
luca.mazzola@usi.ch
luca.mazzola@polimi.it