Nodes

DATE: 29-01-2024 STATUS: ADOPTED

This article provides an overview of the different functions of a node within the Health-RI ecosystem and a will give a subdivision into types of nodes.

A node itself determines how to fill roles of the data holder and/or data user and which technical solution to use for

Data producer, Data Preparator, Data archiver, Local review committee data providing
Researcher(portal), Data guide, Tool provider, Central Analysis, Processing facility, Local identification, authentication.

The role of Data Provider must meet the requirements and standards that have been agreed within the Health-RI ecosystem regarding which actions may be conducted on the (meta) data and how the (meta) data is offered.

The data guide works with DCAT metadata from the data providers.

It helps if the nodes work together or make corresponding choices in terms of technical solutions; As a result, implementations will be faster and can be done cheaper.

The Generic features are preconditions for data interoperability between the nodes.

Node

In the context of the Health-RI ecosystem, a node is a point that forms the connection to and exchange within the larger Health-RI network, with its own unique data sources and users. A node within the Health-RI ecosystem can have several key functions, such as:

Collect and manage data from local sources: The node is responsible for collecting and managing data from organizations, institutions, and individuals that have joined the node. This may include working with local parties such as hospitals, GPs and research institutions to identify relevant data sources and ensure that data is collected in a consistent and standardized manner.
Sharing data with other nodes and stakeholders: Once data is collected and processed, the node can facilitate sharing this data with other nodes and stakeholders within the ecosystem. This may involve the use of standardized formats and protocols to ensure that data is easily accessible to and usable by others within the ecosystem.
Provide tools and platforms for data access and analysis: The node can be responsible for providing tools and platforms that allow data users to access and analyze data within the node. This may involve developing and implementing data portals, dashboards, or other user interfaces that make it easy for users to find and access data.
Ensuring the security and privacy of data within the ecosystem: the node can be (co-)responsible for ensuring the security and privacy of data within the ecosystem. This may include implementing data management and security policies, as well as using encryption and other security measures to protect sensitive data.

In general, a node within this Health-RI ecosystem would be a critical point of connection and exchange, enabling the flow of data between different regions and stakeholders. It requires a strong infrastructure, governance and management, as well as a culture of collaboration and trust between the stakeholders.

Health-RI currently has the following types of nodes:

Regional hub

Provides the role of connecting a region, by performing roles on behalf of regional parties from economy of scale, as a shared service center. Currently, the Health-RI ecosystem has eight regional nodes, which perform the role of data holder on behalf of or on behalf of their region as well as, varying per regional node, different data user roles.

3 layers model

Within the Health-RI ecosystem, 3 layers could be defined.

Individual care organization
Regional hub in which individual healthcare organizations from a region come together.
National Health-RI hub (Health-RI Foundation Node) in which the regional nodes come together.

The regional node acts as a shared service center, for the Individual Care Organization, to connect it to the Health-RI ecosystem for multiple use. The individual healthcare organization does not have to organize health data interoperability at the 1st layer.

The Health-RI ecosystem has federated entities. In addition to the national hub (Health-RI Foundation Node), every other node in its data user environment can also find, request and apply the data from other nodes from the Health-RI ecosystem.

Within the Health-RI ecosystem, there is 1 layer, instead of the 3 layers, on which health data interoperability takes place.

Nationwide node

Provides the role to connect and/or apply nationally oriented specific data source(s) from the Health-RI ecosystem. The Health-RI Foundation is currently exploring the development of the nodes.

Health-RI Foundation Node

Is a nationwide hub, which initially provides the Data User role. In time, this node will also provide the data-holding role for parties who cannot, may and/or do not want to make their original health data available via existing nodes.