"LiveView" story
"LiveView" is an innovation born in the PiV project. Let’s tell the story of how this solution came about.
The story begins on a winter day in March in 2022, where a group from the pathology department travels to Oslo to visit Fürst's laboratory. The main attraction of this visit is a sectioning robot, but Patrick from the PiV project is more captivated by something else. It was not the robot that captured his attention, but Fürst’s homegrown laboratory information system.
The system has a 'dashboard' feature that takes the pulse of laboratory by displaying the number of samples in the laboratory and the individual process steps in colored bars. On the way home to Bergen, Friedemann and Siw (section leader for the histology lab) talk about their own desire for such a system in Bergen. The seed is planted.
Time goes on, and the PiV project’s 'Work Package 7' (i.e., the dynamic togetherness of Friedemann and Patrick), mostly works on exporting event data from the laboratory system. Just before summer, Janne Kristin Hauglid, a master's student of software development at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, appears on the scene: Janne wants to write her master's thesis on a topic within 'Health Informatics.' The perfect opportunity has arrived.
In an initial meeting between Friedemann, Janne, and Patrick, the idea is raised, and Janne is enthusiastic right away. It’s not an easy task, however, since the time frame for this project is a few months only: Between August and December 2022, both the solution must be developed, and a scientific master's thesis of around 60 pages should be written. Nevertheless, Janne manages to present a first prototype in early October. This prototype has an attractive appearance and already the same functionality as the solution at Fürst. The prototype is later presented to the histology section’s management, who are very positive. Janne uses the feedback to further improve the solution. The final version not only met the initial requirements but surpassed them: It allows setting daily goals, and daily numbers can be continuously compared to the goal in real-time. A literature review did not find any other pathology department having reported a tool with this functionality. Just before Christmas 2022, the solution is deemed “complete”, the master's thesis is submitted on time, and Janne’s work rewarded with an 'A'.
So, the solution is ready, assessed, and quality assured. Yet, a significant technical obstacle loomed. So far, only a historical dataset with event data from 2021 has been used. To go 'live', a real-time dataset is needed. For this to happen, another important piece has to fall into place: Data export from the laboratory information system to PiV's database has to be established in collaboration with other departments in the laboratory clinic. Some technical challenges arise that have to be solved before the system is declared 'ready for action' in June 2023. After some hectic days, the website hosting 'LiveView' begins to display daily numbers in real-time. As a provisional solution, Friedemann and Patrick rigged a screen to test 'LiveView' over the summer.
The last hurdle before 'LiveView' can be officially 'introduced' is the installation of large screens that will display 'LiveView.' It goes back and forth, the wait seems eternal and the provisional setup lasts for 8 months. Finally, on 08.02.2024, the waiting comes to an end, and the introduction of 'LiveView' can be officially celebrated!
This is the story of 'LiveView'... But what about the future?
Well, that's quite open ;-) This story has underlined something crucial: Local impact matters, and it is possible to develop useful ICT solutions! Being fully owned by Helse Bergen, there are no restrictions what we can achieve. Numerous additional functionalities could be brought to live using the available dataset. We are eager to hear your wishes, ideas, or concerns! Your input can shape the future of 'LiveView'!
Reach out to: Patrick Stünkel