Dosimetry Data

Dosimetry Data Conventions

Historion imports, classifies and validates Dosimetry Data for long term record keeping and reporting. Providers of Dosimetry Services are not required to conform to a predetermined data transmission standard when designing the Dose Reports they use to report Dose Readings.

As a result, Dose Reports compared across Providers reflect different decisions relating to file formats and different preferences in labelling the fields that represent common Dose Reading outputs. Historion seeks to internally standardise the Dose Readings of the different Dosimetry Providers, by transforming data from proprietary formats into one common field set and Dose storage model.

To achieve flexible importing capability and ongoing compatibility, Dose Field Definitions and a set of rules are created for each new Dose Report Type, to setup data transformations required. Configurable data rules instruct the software how to interpret what a Provider has reported, so Dose Readings can then be drawn into a mathematically consistent and comparable base.

The Dose Report Types and their associated rules allow Historion to automatically convert and store Dose Readings using a consistent conversion process that is tuned to each unique Dose Report Type. At the same time the original layout and the original content of the Provider’s file (and the file itself) are retained in the Historion database after importing.

At the time of authoring this document nine different Dose Report File Type Definitions and two Online Dose Report Data Transfer Interfaces were supported. Four more Dose Report Type Definitions and two further Data Transfer Interfaces were in development. Recognised File Formats included .XLS, .XLSX, .CSV and .XML files.

Development to support the importing of new Dose Report Types is an ongoing commitment of the Historion development team. Historion can be adjusted to respond to changing Dosimetry data format requirements as new Providers, Dosimeter Types and monitoring technologies emerge.

Dose Report Types are further described under Dose Report Types.

Importing Data

The following methods of importing Dose Readings into a Historion Database are available;

1.Import a single Dose Report file using the Import feature.

2.Import multiple files contained within one or more folders with the Bulk Import Utility.

3.Transfer Dose Readings using the Internet, via Historion’s Online Data Transfer Interface.

4.Schedule transfers of data from other local systems, via Historion’s Data Connector Interface.

5.Migrate Dose Readings into Historion from an existing database using purpose-built scripts.

This section of the User Manual covers the Import, Bulk Import and Online Transfer methods of importing Dose Readings into Historion.

Data Connectors and Data Migration scripts are separately developed on an as-requested and quoted basis. Some Data Connectors are already available to connect to existing systems (examples include the HP TRIM Record Manager and HR StaffLink Data Connectors). 

Data Connectors are further described under Data Connectors.

Importing Dose Readings

The Exposure Data panel within the Dosimetry tab includes an Import Button which displays a drop down menu with options for Importing Dose Reports; the Dose Report (File) and the Dose Reports (Bulk/Folder) option;

 Dosimetry Data Import Button

                            Dose Report (File) Import option

Select the Required File

To import the contents (Dose Readings) within a single external Dose Report file into Historion select Dose Report (File). A file system navigation dialogue will be displayed. Navigate to and select the required Dose Report file then click the [Open] button to commence the Dose Report Import Process;

                                                                                                   Open (Dose Report) button

Confirm the Import

After selecting the required Dose Report File the following Import Confirmation Page is displayed;

                Import Confirmation Page                                                                                                    Import Button

Record Centre Names

The first time (only) that Centres are introduced to Historion (via a Centre, Series, Account, Area, Site or Department code) in a Dose Report file, a tab will request the Centre Names (their labels);

If Historion prompts for the names of one or more Centres during the import process this will be occurring because the Centre Number is not yet known in the Historion Database.

Most Dosimetry providers use a code to identify Centres, which may represent a department, a business area, a cost group, an account or some other meaningful way of grouping Wearers in a recognised set or team.

Centres are further described in the Centres chapter of this document. It is important to note the following points relative to Centre Names;

            Centre Naming Important Points

1)Centre Names are prominent in Historion Reports, used for criteria, grouping and sub totals

2)Centre Names provide Wearer data grouping and targeted analysis tools in many tabs

3)Centre Names can be changed after importing a Dose Report, so it is not essential that the Centre name be perfect in the first instance if not know or if a Centre is renamed.

4)Centre Names must be provided if prompted or the Dose Import process will not start.

5)Avoid using very long Centre Names if possible, as excessively long Centre Names can cause some transaction-based reports to appear overly busy. Logical abbreviations and acronyms recognised in the organisation are generally suitable for Centre Naming.

After recording Centre Names where prompted and then selecting the OK button, the Import Process can continue;

Continue the Import

If there are no new Centres or new Names have been entered as described above, then the Import Process can be continued by clicking the Import button. The Import button will be deactivated then Historion will run through a range of steps and displays a Current Step label and Progress Indicator.

Once importing has started it is allowing the import to complete is recommended. Depending on data stage and timing Historion may not stop the import process once it has started. This is a data integrity safeguard. Imported data can be deleted if required at a later stage.

Import Process Steps 

All import steps are described in detail in this document. Import steps are summarised here;

1.Confirm file name not already present and load the selected file to be processed.

2.Validate file structure and confirm whether the file is of a known Dose Report Type.

3.Triage new Dose Readings into memory, only, for processing, check for known issues.

4.Calculate Dose Report CRC and confirm exact binary file has not already been imported.

5.Calculate Dose Reading CRCs and confirm exact row level duplication will not result.

6.Perform low level reading duplication comparisons, new verses existing in database and file.

7.Add new Dose Report Header details to Historion (cannot cancel import past this point).

8.Add new Wearers Records and Centre Custom ANRDR defaults if setup.

9.Add new Dose Readings of current Dose Report Type and distil into reporting structure.

10.Add new Device Reading History records.

11.Import Dose Report original (binary) file object.

12.Update Wearer Centre History calculate Wearer Current Centres based on latest readings.

13.Apply all active Dose Application Rules that pertain to the Dose Report Type and date range.

14.Apply Report as Centre Rules to reallocate Reporting Centre for Dose Readings if setup.

15.Process any Dose Alert Settings with a Refresh Cycle of “After Doses are Imported”.

16.Process any Custom Notifications and send SMTP emails to recipients if setup.

The Import Process Completes

Once the Import process has finished the messages:

Import Complete is displayed as the Current Step and;

Imported Successfully is displayed as the Result.

Dose Readings Cache Re-Load

Historion holds the full set of Dose Readings that are stored in its database in memory. This is done to make the software as responsive as possible when moving through tabs, running reports and working with the various analysis utilities and their filters. This practice, where data is kept in memory for fast access is known as data caching.

When the Dose Readings content in the Historion database changes (in Dose Report Import and Delete scenarios) the Dose Readings cache is updated. This involves retrieving all Dose Readings from the Historion database again and replacing the previous memory cache.

Troubleshooting Dose Report File Importing

Sometimes Dose Reports cannot be imported. In these instances, diagnostic detail is provided to assist with resolving the problem. In the example below there are two new Centres that were not added during the import process and they are needed for the Dose Report to import. Historion displays available diagnostic details in the Import Outcome box of the Single Dose Import page;

                                                                                    Fault or Failure Diagnostic Detail

  Importing Dose Reports

1)Historion cannot import Dose Reports Types not yet listed under Types in the Admin tab.

2)A Dose Report of a given Type cannot be saved into a different file format for import. (Forexample ARPANSA provide Dose Report as CSV files, they will only import if .CSV files. There is a Mirion Dose Report Type (.XLS) and Mirion CSV file, each are different Types.

3)Historion will display a message indicating that the Dose Report Type is not recognised if an unknown Dose Report Type is being used, if the file is not in the expected format, if a column is missing or if the file is damaged.

4)Examples of each Dose Report Type are included against each of the Types shown in the Type tab accessed via the Admin tab. The examples can be exported for review.

5)A file cannot be imported if it is currently open in another application, Historion will indicate where this is the case.

6)If a system error is encountered that Historion cannot decipher then any relevant error Logging Information from the Windows, import stage and user’s session will appear in the. Import Outcome box to provide information for Historion Support to assist with the issue. It is recommended to retain this detail for further troubleshooting.

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