Node.js has potential in healthcare by helping to modernize aging healthcare IT systems. Many electronic health record and hospital systems around the world still rely on outdated programming languages like MUMPS and only Node.js offers a way to build innovative new interfaces and functionality using a single modern language. Node.js could also enable real-time updates and semantic data integration across healthcare systems. There is a large opportunity to apply new skills and technologies like Node.js to rejuvenate legacy healthcare systems and better serve patients.

1. Node.js Its potential in healthcare Rob Tweed M/Gateway Developments Ltd http://www.mgateway.com Twitter: @rtweed

2. Background Management consultant: healthcare IT IT Consultant: web/Ajax/XML/Cloud/NoSQL Developer Node.js / Javascript EWD: web application development framework Cach é & GT.M databases

3. Healthcare IT Your healthcare records are probably stored in a Cach é or GT.M database Global storage technology UK: GP systems Many hospital systems (especially in Scotland) Many lab systems (especially in Wales) All US veterans and their families ( > 4m people) Many of the largest commercial US EHRs Many healthcare exchanges (RHIOs) Not just US & UK Yet most people have never heard of them!

4. Open Source EHRs Dept of Veterans Affairs (VA): VistA Development started in late 1970s Highly functional, well liked by VA clinicians Available as Free Open Source EHR for use by anyone Several commercial variants WorldVistA: fully Open Source version WorldVistA: becoming recognised as a viable free alternative for small US hospitals Problem: VistA's UI is very old-fashioned Needs modernising

5. Modernising VistA with Node.js Problem: the programming language VistA and all Cach é or GT.M-based healthcare systems: M or MUMPS Javascript as a new alternative Various connectors and interfaces at: https://github.com/robtweed One language, front and back New, innovative functionality possible New generation of developers

6. Realtime web in healthcare Node.js & socket.io / Websockets Realtime graphical display: Diagnostic information Administrative information Using commodity mobile devices

7. Modernising VistA iPad interface on 30-year old application Uses Sencha Touch & EWD WebSockets + real-time charts is planned for next stage

8. Semantic Healthcare Web Cach é /GT.M triple store RDF-based data interchange Interconnected web of data Querying/exploration using SPARQL Looking at integrating https://github.com/antoniogarrote/rdfstore-js with Cach é /GT.M Node.js RDF/Triple store Add persistence in Cach é /GT.M database

9. Huge industry in need of new talent Most Node.js activity: Social networking & relatively trivial applications Healthcare IT is a huge industry Large, legacy applications that can't be easily replaced Integration with old legacy code Massive opportunity for new skills for innovative UI design

10. Node.js in healthcare Node.js: huge potential for rejuvenating legacy systems A great industry where you can really make a difference that genuinely matters Javascript: An ideal replacement as the programming language for healthcare