Design
OpenMRS is based on a "concept dictionary" that describes all the data items that can be stored in the system such as clinical findings, laboratory test results or socio-economic data. This approach avoids the need to modify the database structure to add new diseases for example, and facilitates sharing of data dictionaries between projects and sites. An important features of OpenMRS is its modular construction which allows the programming of new functions without modifying the core code. OpenMRS is web based but can be deployed on a single laptop or on a large server and runs on Linux, Windows or Mac OS X.
Other key features of OpenMRS:
- Built on the MySQL database (but uses Hibernate allowing it to be ported to other databases)
- Programmed in Java
- Includes tools for data export and reporting
- Versions currently exist for HIV/AIDS, Drug resistant TB, primary care and oncology
- Supports open standards for medical data exchange including HL7, LOINC and IXF
New features:
- New open source form based tools, OpenXdata, and HTMLForm entry
- Tools to link to hand held devices and cell phones (JavaROSA project)
- Research data collection tools for clinical trials and community data collection projects
- A "logic service" that allows clinical alerts and reminders to be created in a medical standard Arden Syntax
- Support for report generation and transmission to national reporting systems like DHIS and TRACnet using the SDMX-HD standard
Currently being tested:
- Tools for data synchronization between systems connected by slow or unreliable internet
- User interface improvements
- Links to cell phone based data collection and messaging tools using SMS
- Touch screen patient registration systems supporting bar coded patient IDs, in collaboration with Baobab Health Systems
Read more about this topic: Open MRS
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