The data elements required for the proper functionality of VA’s ESSENCE system are all currently available within VA’s 128 VistA systems. These data are made available to VA’s ESSENCE system via a series of complicated MUMPS extraction routines, multiple data transformations crossing multiple servers, networks, operating systems and HL7-parsing routines on a daily interval. With recent changes emerging in VA’s information technology infrastructure, a new data architecture supporting ESSENCE’s surveillance capabilities is becoming possible.
Objective
To describe the new data warehouse, HAIISS Data Warehouse (HDW) architecture whereby VA’s Electronic Surveillance System for Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics (ESSENCE) will receive its required data elements from VA’s 128 VistA systems in a more accurate, robust and time sensitive manner.