The four Norwegian Regional Health Authorities own all public hospitals, and are responsible for providing secondary and tertiary health services to the entire Norwegian population, as well as performing healthcare research and educating healthcare professionals. 

Their journey with CKM (Clinical Knowledge Manager) began with the International CKM and openEHR approach in 2008 when the first of two feasibility studies were conducted through various collaboration forums within a hospital sector on standardising clinical data. This ultimately led to the introduction of Ocean Health Systems (OHS) and a Norwegian CKM. 

Participating in some reviews in the international CKM, the team soon recognised its potential as a tool for archetype review and publication, vital for their own governance scheme. 

Clinical Knowledge Manager Problem Statement 

Inefficient archetype governance, ineffective localisation and a lack of improvement processes were just three factors where input from Ocean Health Systems was sought. The focus was on how to shift clinical data practices into a model that delivers comprehensive archetype governance, streamlined data management and other efficiencies.  

Overview of CKM

Norway’s CKM instance (Clinical Knowledge Manager) serves as a pivotal tool in standardising clinical data within the country’s healthcare sector. Developed as a response to the need for comprehensive archetype governance, the CKM platform has facilitated collaboration, and streamlined the management of clinical data. 

Benefits Experienced

  1. Efficient Archetype Governance: Clinical Knowledge Manager facilitated detailed governance work at a national level, enabling the team to navigate complex processes with ease. Close collaboration with international counterparts provided valuable insights and streamlined governance efforts. 

  1. Effective Localisation: Overcoming language barriers was a significant challenge. CKM’s support for translation and content review streamlined localization efforts, ensuring alignment with international standards while meeting local requirements. 

  1. Continuous Improvement: CKM’s responsive development team actively addressed user feedback, leading to continuous improvements in functionality and usability. Features like change request functionality and enhanced translation support have significantly enhanced the platform’s utility. 

Future Direction and Additions: Enhanced Collaboration 

Future iterations of CKM aim to further streamline collaboration processes, particularly in areas like translation management and federation. While CKM has been instrumental in managing archetypes, the ideal scenario would involve consolidating instances to foster closer collaboration with international models. Simplifying these processes would streamline localisation efforts and simplify maintenance across different instances – thus enhancing efficiency and encourage broader participation. 

User Testimonial: 

  1. User-Friendly Interface: New users commend CKM for its intuitive interface, making it easy to navigate and access resources. 

  1. Comprehensive Governance Tool: CKM is not just a library but a comprehensive governance tool, offering all necessary functionalities in one platform, simplifying complex governance tasks. 

  1. Transparent and Honest Process: The transparency offered by CKM ensures accountability and honesty in the governance process, contributing to its effectiveness. 

  1. Continuous Improvement: Users appreciate CKM’s commitment to continuous improvement, with responsive development and active engagement with user feedback. 

Norway’s CKM instance stands as a testament to the transformative power of comprehensive archetype governance. By leveraging CKM’s functionalities, the hospital sector has a tool to standardise and share clinical information, thus fostering collaboration at both national and international levels. As CKM continues to evolve, we aspire for it to remain a cornerstone in Norway’s ongoing journey towards enhanced healthcare data standardisation and interoperability. 

About Clinical Knowledge Manager

Developed as a response to the need for comprehensive archetype governance, the CKM platform has facilitated collaboration, and streamlined the management of clinical data. 

Getting started with CKM is a straightforward process. The user-friendly interface eases adoption and drives archetype governance with the help of Ocean Health Systems and a bit of training. Contact us to learn more.