Evaluating MHR Software Vendors And Cloud-based MHR Services

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Evaluating MHR Software Vendors

Technological advancement has proven to be a significant milestone in mitigating the day to day challenges of a human life. It has proved its significant in different areas and one of such area is healthcare sector. It is being benefitted by different medical tools & technology however, one of the most prominent tool that is changing the landscape of the medical industry is the “my health record” (Tom et al., 2012). It is a digital database that records & updates the medical history of the patient and allow access to those records with proper credentials from anywhere and at any time (Wu et al., 2013). The discussed report has taken consideration of three crucial factors that influences the performance and output of the discussed service. The first is the purchase of the system which depends on the vendor and hence is the subject of the discussion. Followed by vendor is the cloud based service and the SDLC approach. All three of them have been discussed before concluding the paper.

The surge in adoption of the health record services have inspired different organisations to jump in the field of the health record service and offer the service. The giants such as the Google & Microsoft are offering their own health record tools some of which are cloud based and other are not. The discussed section has taken account of identifying & evaluating the existing vendors with consideration of the requirement of the system. The paper has taken consideration of three MHR software vendors; namely, iSoft, Best Practice Software Pty Ltd. (bpspl) and Communicare. All of the three selected vendor of MHR are based in the Australia. The selection of the three vendors is based on the fact they are the leaders of the Australian market in health care service tools & techniques. The discussed section will cite the features of and services of the selected vendors.

iSoft:

• Patient administration system.
• Reduced cost.
• Enhanced efficiency.
• Master Patient Index registry.
• Build-in computerised physician order entry
• Bilingual support.

The discussed system consists of record system offered by the discussed vendor is an integrated form of the Patient administration system (PAS) & the Electronic Medical record (EMR). The system is offered by the name of HIS (hospital Information System) (Solutions, 2018). The most prominent advantage of the discussed integration is that it reduces the cost while improving the efficiency of the proposed operations to be conducted by the system. The comprehensive “Master Patient Index registry” simplifies the challenge of identifying specific patient’s record. The data uploading process of the discussed technology through iSoft is also reliant and simple. “Build-in computerised physician order entry” assist in above discussed process. The system also supports bilingual capability making it simple for the doctors or patients of the German & English language (Currently only two languages are supported) to understand the system.

Cloud-based MHR Services: Benefits and Challenges

Features:

• Electronic prescribing.
• Analysing tools.
• Suitable for low connectivity regions.
• Offline data synchronisation.
• Appointment booking.
• Data entry Wizard.

The discussed system by communicare offers many different features and the most prominent of them is the electronic prescribing through which the healthcare units and associated are capable to prescribe medication electronically with ease (Communicare, 2018). The analysis tools offered by the system also simplifies the process of analysing the documents and make necessary updates according to the need. Another notable feature offered by the system is the offline data synchronisation which enables the user to investigate and analysis the data even when the system is not connected to the internet. The data synchronisation capability is most essential in remote & low connectivity ones. The system also offers appointment booking capability through which the patient and healthcare unit can coordinate to set an appointment and discuss the situation of the patient’s health. Additionally, the data entry wizard simplifies the process of capturing the data reducing the work load on the users.

Features:

• Single record number
• Upgraded management module
• Easy reversal, write-off and adjustment.
• Shared summary
• Prescribed drug-list section.
• Diabetics cycle of care.

The “my health record” system has simplified the process of multiple provider number. The creation of different record number to record the different details of a single user has been omitted and instead offered a single entity number to store all records of a single user (Bestpracticetesting.net, 2018). The system has even upgraded the management module to enhance the modulation process. It will assist in ensuring that the reversals, write-offs and the adjustment of details are simplified. Shared summary option enables the healthcare unit to understand the core issues of the patient and if any major challenge is identified then they can read the detailed report which save the time. Separate sub-section for the prescribed drug list of the user. A special module for diabetic patient that can assist the patient to take appropriate care of diabetics.

Cloud services is another one of the disruptive technological advancement that has garnered the attention of different sectors due to its significant benefits. Though, not all the organisations have adopted its services and are restraining themselves from the technology of discussion (Bahga & Madisetti, 2013). The fact for the avoidance is relevant to the challenges. The discussed section has taken consideration of the cloud based MHR service and discussed the challenges and benefits that are associated with it.

OFFLOAD DATA COLLECTION:  The most prominent component of “my health record” is the data and hence, it becomes of great necessity that the cloud services enhance, the data management capability of the subject in consideration (Rodrigues et al., 2013). The cloud services fulfil the expectation that the subject holds from it and offers a sustainable & reliable data management system. The system is grants the cloud services enough authorisation then the cloud will collect and upload the data automatically. If limited access is granted to the cloud services than the data needs to uploaded manually. Additionally, the data that is uploaded over the collected are stored in library structure that ensures that identifying the data is time & effort efficient. It also saves the cost associated with purchase of data storage equipment and can be accessed from any location at any moment.

SDLC Approaches: Insights and Justification

increase security: Another notable benefit of the discussed cloud solution is that it enhances security concerned with the data theft. The data in the deemed scenario are saved over cloud which makes it secure from physical damage (Fernández-Cardeñosa et al., 2012). Any unwanted accident (theft, physical attack or natural disaster and others) would not affect the organisational data because they are safe in a remote location. Additionally, it offers the benefit of saving the physical space that is consumed by the offsite data storage equipment which can be used for more productive means. The cloud can also offer cyber security to the organisational data to an extent. The organisation can invest in making its “my health record” associated with the private cloud rather than public or hybrid cloud. Adoption of security measure would also ensure that the data over cloud is safe.

SECURITY CONCERNS: The most prominent challenge that is associated with any cloud service including the cloud based “my health record” is the security concerns for the data. The malicious attacks that includes the cyber theft, ransomware and other necessary cyber issues has proved to be the concerning factor for the organisations and hence, the adoption of the service is still facing restraints (Li et al., 2013). Additionally, the high cost involved in securing the data is also a concern that the organisations needs to address before adopting leveraging the cloud based “my health record”. Data encryption and business associate agreements are the most prominent mitigating strategy for the discussed challenge however they cost heavy on the organisation.

CONTROL OVER DATA: Recent case of data scandal such as the Facebook Cambridge Analytica data scandal and other have raised a significant concern for the organisations over the use and control of their data. The healthcare organisations are hesitating over allowing the third party to gain access of their data and hence are restraining themselves from adopting the cloud based my health care solution (AbuKhousa, Mohamed & Al-Jaroodi, 2012). The discussed risk can be mitigated by adopting the on premise cloud monitoring service that would enable the organisation to monitor the use of their cloud data and maintain a strict control over the system.

The approach that an organisation adopts while devising the organisational system is the first milestone that defines the success rate of the project being pursued. The most prominent approaches that are most commonly adopted for the SDLC (System/software development life cycle) are the adaptive and predictive approach (Yadav & Yadav, 2015). The discussed section has cited an insight into the system and offered a brief discussion over them and justified the most appropriate method for “my health record” system.

Considered to be the most primitive methodology, it follows a strict code to complete the task. It follows the waterfall pattern which can be defined as only completion of the first step would lead to the second, second to the third and so on (Okoli & Carillo, 2012). The deemed method is most prominent for the project developments where the requirements are clearly defined (Batra & Barua, 2013).

PROS:

• The deliverable of the system or project is certain.
• Less coordinating team can also complete the development process.
• The plan for the risk and change are taken into consideration during planning phase and hence mitigating the challenge.
• The prominence of completing the work within the budget and time is very high.

CONS:

• Sudden challenges may disrupt the work.
• The lack of flexibility may arise conflict during dire situations within team.

Adaptive SDLC approach refers to the approach that are not well understood and in the process are at risk (Jawale & Bhola, 2015). The deemed approach is not well structured and is ready to adapt to the situations as it comes in the project development course. Hence the deemed approach can be considered as flexible because it accepts change and modulates itself to mitigate the challenge (Usman & Nonyelum, 2018).

PROS:

• It can adopt to changing scenario that is the deemed approach is flexible.
• The flexibility of the approach develops scope for creativity in the project development.
• The deliverables may prove to be better than expectation.

CONS:

• The understanding of the approach is simple but complex in implementation because of continuous attention.
• The deliverable of the project is unpredictable.
• It may escalate the expected budget and time due to uncertainty.
• The collaboration and communication within the development team should be high.

The sdlc approach that would be most suitable for the development of “my health record” system within an organisation is the predictive sdlc. The reason for the deemed statement lays on the fact that the government of Australia have taken appropriate care for devising guidelines to assist in development and adoption of my health care system. The above made fact can be taken in consideration to state that the requirement & associated risk with “my health record” is clear and evident and hence, the selection for predictive approach has been recommended for the SDLC approach of the subject.

Conclusion:

The discussed report has taken consideration of various aspects of the “my health record”. The attention of the paper where cited on the vendor solution to the discussion over the association of the subject with the cloud services and most suitable approach for the development & adoption of the subject. The report has enhanced the understanding of the author and will also assist the reader in developing and insight about the subject.

The findings from the report reveals that the predictive sdlc approach would be the most suitable approach for the development and adoption of the system in an organisation because it has well-defined requirement. It has also been identified that the cloud based “my health record” will offer prominent advantage to the healthcare industry however, it will also bring some challenges. The vendors have also been a part of discussion.

Finally, in conclusion, it can be emphasised to state that the “my health record” is a prominent technology and should be adopted by the healthcare units. However, to ensure that the adopted technology is leveraged it should be ensured that the adoption process is accurate and well defined.

References:

(Bestpracticetesting.net, 2018). Retrieved from https://bestpracticetesting.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/BpPremier_Lava_SP1_ReleaseNotes.pdf

AbuKhousa, E., Mohamed, N., & Al-Jaroodi, J. (2012). e-Health cloud: opportunities and challenges. Future Internet, 4(3), 621-645.

Bahga, A., & Madisetti, V. K. (2013). A cloud-based approach for interoperable electronic health records (EHRs). IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics, 17(5), 894-906.

Batra, G., & Barua, K. (2013). A review on cost and effort estimation approach for software development. International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT) Volume, 3, 290-293.

Communicare. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.telstrahealth.com/communicare

Fernández-Cardeñosa, G., de la Torre-Díez, I., López-Coronado, M., & Rodrigues, J. J. (2012). Analysis of cloud-based solutions on EHRs systems in different scenarios. Journal of medical systems, 36(6), 3777-3782.

Jawale, B., & Bhole, A. T. (2015). Adaptive fuzzy hierarchical cumulative voting: a novel approach toward requirement prioritization. International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology, 4(05).

Li, M., Yu, S., Zheng, Y., Ren, K., & Lou, W. (2013). Scalable and secure sharing of personal health records in cloud computing using attribute-based encryption. IEEE transactions on parallel and distributed systems, 24(1), 131-143.

Okoli, C., & Carillo, K. (2012). The best of adaptive and predictive methodologies: Open source software development, a balance between agility and discipline. International Journal of Information Technology and Management, 11(1-2), 153-166.

Rodrigues, J. J., De La Torre, I., Fernández, G., & López-Coronado, M. (2013). Analysis of the security and privacy requirements of cloud-based electronic health records systems. Journal of medical Internet research, 15(8).

Solutions, i. (2018). Hospital Management ERP Software System | iSoft Marthandam | Software Development Visalia | Web Development Visalia. Retrieved from https://i-soft.us/medical.html

Tom, J. O., Mangione-Smith, R., Solomon, C., & Grossman, D. C. (2012). Integrated personal health record use: association with parent-reported care experiences. Pediatrics, 130(1), e183-e190.

Usman, A. S., & Nonyelum, O. F. (2018). Application of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) in 21st Century Military Sector. IUP Journal of Information Technology, 14(1), 58-64.

Wu, A. W., Kharrazi, H., Boulware, L. E., & Snyder, C. F. (2013). Measure once, cut twice—adding patient-reported outcome measures to the electronic health record for comparative effectiveness research. Journal of clinical epidemiology, 66(8), S12-S20.

Yadav, H. B., & Yadav, D. K. (2015). A fuzzy logic based approach for phase-wise software defects prediction using software metrics. Information and Software Technology, 63, 44-57.