We present a methodology and database mediator tool for integrating modern knowledge-based systems, such as the Stanford EON architecture for automated guideline-based decision-support, with legacy databases, such as the Veterans Health Information Systems & Technology Architecture (VISTA) systems, which is used nation-wide. Specifically, we discuss designs for database integration in ATHENA, a system for hypertension care based on EON, at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). We describe a new database mediator that affords the EON system both physical and logical data independence from the legacy VA database. We found that to achieve these design goals, the mediator requires two separate mapping levels and must itself involve a knowledge-based component.
