Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2025)
jhbmi 2025, 12(3): 250-264 |
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Sarafinejad A, ShojaeiBaghini M, Ahmadipour A. Development of an Ontology Model for the Blood and Blood Products Supply and Demand Chain in Iran. jhbmi 2025; 12 (3) :250-264
URL: http://jhbmi.ir/article-1-951-en.html
URL: http://jhbmi.ir/article-1-951-en.html
PhD Candidate in Medical Informatics, Faculty of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Abstract: (26 Views)
Introduction: Ontology, as a formal method for accurately representing concepts, entities, and their relationships, plays a vital role in modeling complex processes. Despite numerous studies in this field, the application of ontology-based models in Iran’s blood transfusion chain remains limited. This study aims to develop an ontology model for blood supply and demand in Iran to support decision-making, facilitate information exchange, and enhance efficiency and safety in the blood transfusion chain by integrating relevant concepts and processes.
Method: The METHONTOLOGY methodology was used to develop the ontology model, which includes the stages of specification, knowledge acquisition, conceptualization, integration, implementation, evaluation, and documentation. The ontology was implemented in Protégé (version 5.6.3), and its quality was assessed using the FOCA methodology. Additionally, two diagrams, a data flow diagram and a swimlane diagram, were created to enhance the conceptualization of processes.
Results: Two ontologies were developed: one for hospitals and another for the Blood Transfusion Organization. The hospital ontology comprised 26 classes and subclasses, 46 object properties, 43 data properties, and 644 axioms. In contrast, the Blood Transfusion Organization ontology included 11 classes and subclasses, 24 object properties, 25 data properties, and 318 axioms. After defining the components and rules, graphical models of both ontologies were created. The quality evaluation results indicated high quality, with scores of 0.995 for the hospital model and 0.951 for the Blood Transfusion Organization model.
Conclusion: Designing and developing an ontology model for the blood supply and demand chain enhances the understanding of domain processes, facilitates data sharing, and supports knowledge documentation and transfer to users. Effective ontology development requires a comprehensive understanding of the activities, tasks, concepts, and relationships within the target domain. Furthermore, ontology evaluation is crucial for identifying conceptual deficiencies, optimizing knowledge structures, and improving organizational processes.
Method: The METHONTOLOGY methodology was used to develop the ontology model, which includes the stages of specification, knowledge acquisition, conceptualization, integration, implementation, evaluation, and documentation. The ontology was implemented in Protégé (version 5.6.3), and its quality was assessed using the FOCA methodology. Additionally, two diagrams, a data flow diagram and a swimlane diagram, were created to enhance the conceptualization of processes.
Results: Two ontologies were developed: one for hospitals and another for the Blood Transfusion Organization. The hospital ontology comprised 26 classes and subclasses, 46 object properties, 43 data properties, and 644 axioms. In contrast, the Blood Transfusion Organization ontology included 11 classes and subclasses, 24 object properties, 25 data properties, and 318 axioms. After defining the components and rules, graphical models of both ontologies were created. The quality evaluation results indicated high quality, with scores of 0.995 for the hospital model and 0.951 for the Blood Transfusion Organization model.
Conclusion: Designing and developing an ontology model for the blood supply and demand chain enhances the understanding of domain processes, facilitates data sharing, and supports knowledge documentation and transfer to users. Effective ontology development requires a comprehensive understanding of the activities, tasks, concepts, and relationships within the target domain. Furthermore, ontology evaluation is crucial for identifying conceptual deficiencies, optimizing knowledge structures, and improving organizational processes.
Type of Study: Original Article |
Subject:
Health Information Technology
Received: 2025/09/15 | Accepted: 2025/12/8
Received: 2025/09/15 | Accepted: 2025/12/8
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