Hi there.
I hate reinventing things. I like using good tools. Here are three for your consideration:
1. Need a really good Help Desk (problem submission/tickler) System? Want it for FREE? Go to spiceworks.com This thing is free and excellent. It even finds hardware on your local network, should you be inclined. Now, you hospital and Big Practice Sites may already have such a thing. BUT - if you're a smallish site - this is E-Z to set up and use, and it never forgets.
2. Sick of trying to interpret HL-7 files? Get QuickView HL7!!! Another great tool - even the folks at GE use it! Just google QuickView HL7 to find this free (FREE!!!) software
3. Is your portal or website, or email server up and running and accessible from the internet? You must monitor to figure this out! I use www.site24x7.com for external monitoring. Is it FREE? Of COURSE it is!! Easy to configure? Yup! Accurate? Of course.
I hope you try and enjoy these tools.
I will second you on spice works. We have been using it for about a year now and it works pretty well. Setup is easy and you get some neat plugins that you can use with it.
Thank you for sharing!!
QuickView HL7 is a pretty nice little app.