Botswana FHIR Implementation Guide
1.0.0 - ci-build
Botswana FHIR Implementation Guide
1.0.0 - ci-build
Botswana FHIR Implementation Guide, published by Jembi Health Systems. This guide is not an authorized publication; it is the continuous build for version 1.0.0 built by the FHIR (HL7® FHIR® Standard) CI Build. This version is based on the current content of https://github.com/jembi/botswana-hie-fhir-ig/ and changes regularly. See the Directory of published versions
| Official URL: http://moh.bw.org/ImplementationGuide/botswana.hie.fhir | Version: 1.0.0 | |||
| Active as of 2024-07-25 | Computable Name: BotswanaHIE | |||
Contents:
This is our FHIR Implementation Guide. It contains the specifications developed by our community.
This documentation and set of artefacts are still undergoing development.
This Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR)® Implementation Guide (IG) is designed to facilitate the standardized exchange of healthcare information in Botswana; specifically the handling of laboratory orders in both OpenMRS and PIMS systems to and from the national laboratory system, IPMS. The guide is crafted for Botswana's Health Information Exchange (HIE) and provides a structured approach to managing lab orders.
Botswana's health information systems have historically faced challenges such as fragmentation, limited interoperability, inconsistent connectivity across facilities, and usability concerns. These issues have impeded the seamless exchange of critical health data, leading to inefficiencies like duplicate data capture, delays in responding to emerging health issues, and the generation of reports that may not fully support timely decision-making.
A particularly pressing concern has been the management of HIV laboratory data. Traditionally, HIV-related lab information has been recorded in standalone Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems at healthcare facilities. To initiate laboratory tests, this data is manually transcribed onto paper-based request forms and physically transported to laboratories. This manual process increases the risk of data loss, delays in result retrieval, and inefficiencies in patient care. Furthermore, laboratory results are manually collected and re-entered into the standalone EMR systems, exacerbating data fragmentation. Such disjointed processes contribute to the loss to follow-up of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) patients, as the lack of data sharing between standalone systems hampers the tracking of patient adherence and continuity of care.
In response to these challenges, the Botswana Ministry of Health and Wellness introduced the eHealth Strategy (2020-2024), aiming to strengthen health service delivery through the utilization of digital solutions that address the needs of the health system. This strategy emphasizes the importance of integrated health information systems, improved data management, and enhanced interoperability among various health platforms.
The implementation of the Laboratory FHIR® IG aligns with the objectives outlined in the eHealth Strategy. By standardizing data exchange between health information systems, the FHIR IG facilitates seamless electronic sharing of laboratory orders and results. This interoperability ensures that critical patient data is accessible across facilities, reduces the need for duplicate data entry, and supports timely decision-making. Ultimately, such advancements contribute to improved patient outcomes in HIV care and other health programs, reflecting the strategic vision of Botswana's eHealth initiatives.
| IG | Package | FHIR | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
  Botswana FHIR Implementation Guide | botswana.hie.fhir#1.0.0 | R5 | |
 HL7 Terminology (THO) | hl7.terminology.r5#6.2.0 | R5 | Automatically added as a dependency - all IGs depend on HL7 Terminology |
 FHIR Extensions Pack | hl7.fhir.uv.extensions.r5#5.2.0 | R5 | Automatically added as a dependency - all IGs depend on the HL7 Extension Pack |
Package hl7.fhir.uv.extensions.r5#5.2.0 This IG defines the global extensions - the ones defined for everyone. These extensions are always in scope wherever FHIR is being used (built Mon, Feb 10, 2025 21:45+1100+11:00) |
There are no Global profiles defined
This publication includes IP covered under the following statements.
While this implementation guide and the underlying FHIR are licensed as public domain, this guide may include examples making use of terminologies such as LOINC, SNOMED CT and others which have more restrictive licensing requirements. Implementers should make themselves familiar with licensing and any other constraints of terminologies, questionnaires, and other components used as part of their implementation process. In some cases, licensing requirements may limit the systems that data captured using certain questionnaires may be shared with.
This specification is provided without warranty of completeness or consistency, and the official publication supersedes this draft. No liability can be inferred from the use or misuse of this specification, or its consequences.
This specification is based on FHIR and the FHIR tooling ecosystem and community processes. It has been defined with the support and participation of the following institutions.
Institutions
Contributors