HCSI 709: Healthcare Databases

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HCSI 709 Healthcare Databases

• Introduction to Database Structures
• By Farrokh Alemi, Ph.D.
• Francesco Loaiza, Ph.D. J.D.
• Voice of Vikas Arya

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Objectives

• Learn about flat, hierarchical and relational
  databases
• Learn about information-less databases

If checking an information item takes a fraction
of a second, why is it that we can go through
billions of information items in a fraction of
a second?
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Types of Data Structures

• Flat data
• Hierarchical data
• Relational data

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Flat Models
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Flat Data

• Advantages
• Most software include free access to flat data
  files.  For a small number of cases, flat
  databases do a reasonably fast job.
• Disadvantages
• Flat databases waste computer storage by
  requiring it to keep information on items that
  logically cannot be available.
• Flat databases are not conducive to complicated
  search queries

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Relational Databases
In a relational data base, one stores a record
with related fields as data.

• In a relational database, tables do not need to
  be of the same size

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Example
Table for "Students grades" 
Table for "Students' contact information"

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Advantages of Relational Databases

• Data can be examined from many different
  perspectives. 
• No need to enter missing information for
  variables that are not logically possible.
• Easy to modify because adding new concepts
  involves adding new Tables, not altering old ones.

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Hierarchical models

• Data models in which the relationship between
  higher and lower items are inherited.

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Example of Hierarchal Model

• File items on your desk top

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Advantages of Hierarchical Models

• Advantages
• Operations on parents save time and affect all
  children.
• Disadvantages
• Many relationships are not hierarchical

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Distributed data models

• Data are kept in different settings and on
  different computers. Distributed databases need
  not only addresses for where the data are but
  also need an audit trail

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Example of Distributed Database

• World Wide Web

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Advantages of Distributed Databases

• Security of these databases are difficult to
  maintain.
• Many agreements must be made ahead of time.
• Data loss is limited to nodes affected.
• Decentralized databases are more flexible and
  allow different units to update and maintain
  their own data. 
• Variation in quality of data

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Data-less Information Systems

• Distributed Databases without data until need
  arises, less problems with privacy of patients

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 Components of a Data-less System

• Decoder  
• Communicator  
• Analysis

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Advantages of the Data-less Information Systems

• The system is substantially less expensive than
  centralized registries as it requires no new
  equipment and little personnel. 
• The use of the system does not require vague and
  time-independent patients consents. 
• The system does not require duplication of data
  in different databases.

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Take Home Lesson

• Structure makes it possible to process and
  analyze large amount of data