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Reference Clinical System Constellations

CARE-IT does not view clinical IT as a collection of isolated systems,
but as interconnected clinical system constellations.

A clinical system constellation is the functional, technical, and organizational interaction of multiple components
that collectively deliver a clinical service.

The following reference constellations represent typical application scenarios within healthcare provider organizations.

They are not exhaustive,
but illustrative examples.

Laboratory System Constellation​

Typical components:

  • Laboratory Information System (LIS)
  • Analytical instruments
  • Specimen logistics
  • HL7 interfaces
  • Clinical Information System (CIS / KIS)
  • Result reporting mechanisms

Characteristics:

  • High requirements for data integrity
  • Strong regulatory obligations
  • Tight coupling of medical device technology and IT
  • Critical dependency on integration platforms

Radiology System Constellation (RIS/PACS & Modalities)​

Typical components:

  • Radiology Information System (RIS)
  • Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS)
  • Imaging modalities (CT, MRI, X-ray, etc.)
  • DICOM infrastructure
  • Reporting workstations
  • CIS / KIS integration

Characteristics:

  • High data volumes
  • Standardized interfaces (DICOM, HL7)
  • Dependency on network infrastructure
  • Clinically critical availability requirements

Vital Sign Monitoring System Constellation​

Typical components:

  • Patient monitors
  • Central monitoring station
  • Alarm management system
  • Mobile devices
  • WLAN infrastructure
  • Integration platform
  • PDMS or CIS

Characteristics:

  • Safety-critical alarm mechanisms
  • Real-time requirements
  • Strong infrastructure dependency (WLAN)
  • Operator responsibility for connected devices

Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory System Constellation​

Typical components:

  • Imaging modalities
  • Hemodynamic systems
  • Documentation systems
  • Image archiving
  • CIS/PACS integration
  • High-complexity medical devices

Characteristics:

  • Strongly device-centered constellation
  • Tight integration of medical technology and IT
  • Significant regulatory requirements
  • High real-time and failure sensitivity

Intensive Care / PDMS System Constellation​

Typical components:

  • Patient Data Management System (PDMS)
  • Ventilators
  • Infusion pumps
  • Vital sign monitors
  • Laboratory interfaces
  • Medication documentation systems

Characteristics:

  • High integration density
  • Large number of connected medical devices
  • Critical dependency on data consistency
  • Direct and immediate clinical impact

Sterile Processing Department (SPD) System Constellation​

Typical components:

  • Sterilization equipment
  • Batch documentation systems
  • Barcode tracking
  • Inventory management
  • Interfaces to surgical planning systems

Characteristics:

  • Strong documentation and traceability obligations
  • Heavily influenced by regulatory requirements
  • Interface between logistics and clinical care

Relevance within CARE-IT​

Each clinical system constellation traverses all six CARE-IT domains:

  • Clinical Orientation & Value Governance
  • System Architecture & Constellation Governance
  • Responsibility & Governance
  • Risk & Patient Safety
  • Lifecycle & Operational Sustainability
  • Innovation Capability & Evolution

CARE-IT makes visible
how these dimensions can be structurally and interdisciplinarily governed.

The clinical system constellation becomes the central unit of analysis,
decision-making, and maturity assessment.

CARE-IT does not evaluate isolated systems.
It evaluates the organization’s capability
to govern interconnected clinical system constellations responsibly.