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Overview of GIS-Related Technologies and Information Systems
Geographic information systems and the digital spatial
representations adopted for them draw from a variety of other fields and
technologies including remote sensing, the Global Positioning System
(GPS),
computational geometry, computer graphics, digital image processing,
computer-aided design (CAD), database management systems (DBMS), spatio-temporal statistics,
amongst others
(Raper, 2000).
ESRI ArcSDE-The GIS Gateway to Relational Databases. ArcSDE plays a
fundamental role in both multi-user and distributed GIS systems. With ArcSDE,
GIS software [ArcInfo, ArcView GIS, ArcIMS (Internet Mapping Server), and
others] can work directly with spatial data managed in a DBMS.
CAD as data source for GIS — PLACES
(Patient Location and Care Environment System) system at Loma Linda University
Medical Centre (US). Screenshot showing CAD/CAM floor drawings combined with
real-time patient data. Using PLACES, occupied and empty beds are highlighted;
new patients can be easily allocated to suitable beds with matching roommates
based on their sex, condition, attending physician and duration of stay. By
carefully pairing roommates, the hospital can avoid many complaints. The nurse
can also query the system for patients being treated by one particular doctor,
then provide the doctor with a floor map to use during rounds. Hospital
operators can use PLACES to provide both doctors and patients' family members
with information like where a patient is and how long that patient is likely to
be in the hospital.
References:
- ESRI—Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. Web Site (URI: http://www.esri.com)
- Lang L. GIS for Health Organisations. California: ESRI Press. 2000
[ISBN 1-879102-65-X]
- Raper J. Multidimensional Geographic Information Science. London:
Taylor and Francis. 2000 [ISBN 0-7484-0507-0]
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