Description
Introduction
The ICRC needs to deploy robust digital solutions in challenging environments that ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability of system/data at point of care and/or during community field visits. These solutions must function in constrained environments (e.g. in the field) characterized by high temperatures, electricity supply issues, and connectivity instabilities. Data collected is asynchronously synced with the headquarters (HQ), respecting data protection agreements, and aggregated for reporting.
Key challenges to be addressed include security and data protection requirements, the ability to conduct deployments and provide support remotely, reliability, and the capacity to rapidly deploy new instances.
The presentation will detail how the ICRC addressed these challenges with a portable server facilitating access to applications online or offline, at point of care or in the field. This solution allows for the deployment of any application for data collection, monitoring, and analysis, supporting operations in the field.
Previously, users depended on a non-secure, paper-based, lacking real-time data crucial for informed decision-making.
Methodology
The developed solution is built on a fan-less, low power-consumption server using open-source solutions with reusable components.
Core services include:
• User management
• Single Sign On
• Service management
• Monitoring
• Backup
• Docker
• Databases
• Databases and file system replication
• Network failover
• Remote access (VPN)
• UPS support
Three open-source applications were installed on these portable servers:
• An electronic medical record (EMR) system, OpenMRS, to manage individual patient data,
• An enterprise resource planning system (ERP), Odoo, providing logistics management and facility management capabilities,
• A business intelligence (BI) tool, Superset, offering data visualization capabilities.
The solution underwent several penetration tests to ensure there are no security vulnerabilities.
Results & discussions
The solution can be used at point of care or carried during community visits. It has been deployed to collect data in a hospital, in physical rehabilitation centers, and office environments.
Data can sync from the local instance with the instance in HQ with configurable settings to ensure compliance with data protection rules.
The solution is now utilized in various use cases, involving different types of ICRC vehicles, such as Land Cruisers and motorcycles. The basic setup is packaged in a suitcase and includes:
• A server to host and serve the software stack
• A router
• A connectivity device, such as satellite antenna
• A power supply battery, providing several hours to days of autonomy
Conclusions
The server can be installed anywhere - in an office, a Land Cruiser or carried in a bag - and can be used to deploy applications for collecting data, both offline and online, in various field setting.
Its adaptability makes it ideal for use during community visits or in setting such as a booth in a refugee camp. This solution empowers field users by providing near real-time data, enabling them to swiftly adapt operations in response to evolving situations, a critical factor for informed decision-making in dynamic environments.
Additionally, the solution’s robustness supports the installation of diverse applications like DHIS2, OpenMRS, Odoo, and Superset.
| Contact Geneva Health Forum | I would like to receive information about the GHF 2024 conference and other GHF activities / Je souhaite recevoir des informations sur la conférence GHF 2024 et d'autres activités du GHF. |
|---|
