ReportFlow: an application for EEG visualization and reporting using cloud platform

<p>Background</p> <p>The cloud is a promising resource for data sharing and computing. It can optimize several legacy processes involving different units of a company or more companies. Recently, cloud technology applications are spreading out in the healthcare setting as well, allowing to cut down costs for physical infrastructures and staff movements. In a public environment the main challenge is to guarantee the patients&rsquo; data protection. We describe a cloud-based system, named ReportFlow, developed with the aim to improve the process of reporting and delivering electroencephalograms.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We illustrate the functioning of this application through a use-case scenario occurring in an Italian hospital, and describe the corresponding key encryption and key management used for data security guarantee. We used the X²&nbsp;test or the unpaired Student&nbsp;<em>t</em>&nbsp;test to perform pre-post comparisons of some indexes, in order to evaluate significant changes after the application of ReportFlow.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results obtained through the use of ReportFlow show a reduction of the time for exam reporting (<em>t</em>&thinsp;=&amp;thinsp;19.94;&nbsp;<em>p</em>&thinsp;&lt;&thinsp;0.001) and for its delivering (<em>t</em>&thinsp;=&amp;thinsp;14.95;&nbsp;<em>p</em>&thinsp;&lt;&thinsp;0.001), as well as an increase of the number of neurophysiologic examinations performed (about 20%), guaranteeing data integrity and security. Moreover, 68% of exam reports were delivered completely digitally.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The application resulted to be an optimal solution to optimize the legacy process adopted in this scenario. The comparative pre-post analysis showed promising preliminary results of performance. Future directions will be the creation and release of certificates automatically.</p>