A dynamic Web application within an n-tier architecture: a Multi-Source Information System for end-stage renal disease.

A Multi-Source Information System (MSIS) has been designed for the Renal Epidemiology and Information Network (REIN) dedicated to End-Stage Renal Disease. Interoperability has been considered at 4 levels: semantics, network, formats and contents. An n-tier architecture has been chosen at the network level. It is made out of a universal client, a dynamic Web server connected to a production database and to a data warehouse. The MSIS is patient-oriented, based on a regional organization. Its implementation in the context of a regional experimentation is presented with insights on the design and underlying technologies. The n-tier architecture is a robust model and flexible enough to aggregate multiple information sources and integrate modular developments. The data warehouse is dedicated to support health care decision-making.