Electronic Health Record (EHR) Software information systems that support nursing
practice and healthcare delivery.
●EHR software is one of the most popular (if not ●The system life cycle in nursing informatics
the single most popular) type of software used encompasses various stages from initial
by hospitals and clinics. planning to system retirement.
●In many ways, it’s similar to a CRM, only System Life Cycle Phases:
adjusted to the medical industry. [Link]:
The two most popular types of EHR software are: ●Objective: Define the project, set goals, and
1. Electronic patient record software (EPR) plan the overall scope.
– used internally by hospitals to store ●Activities: Identify project requirements,
and process their patient information. estimate resources, create a project schedule,
2. Electronic medical record software and establish a budget.
(EMR) – used to store data like Feasibility Study:
medication types and dosage, past and ●Objective: Assess the project's viability and
planned procedures, and data on the identify potential risks.
patient’s recovery course. ●Activities: Evaluate technical, economic, legal,
● Medical database software operational, and scheduling feasibility.
Similarly to Electronic Health Record software, Determine whether the project is worth pursuing.
medical database software stores patients’ System Design:
histories and treatment plans. However, unlike in ●Objective: Create a blueprint for the system
EHRs, the database is categorized by based on specified requirements.
disease, not patients’ profiles. ●Activities: Develop system architecture, design
data structures, interfaces, and algorithms.
● Medical research software Create detailed technical specifications.
> Medical research software is used for two Implementation:
primary purposes: education and sharing ●Objective: Build the actual system based on
research with the medical community. the design specifications.
> This type of software is commonly used to ●Activities: Code the software, develop
train medical personnel and to support databases, integrate components, and conduct
diagnoses if no similar clinical cases among unit testing. This phase involves translating
patients can be referenced internally. design specifications into actual code.
● Medical diagnosis software 5. Testing:
Medical diagnosis software for doctors allows ●Objective: Verify that the system works as
them to exchange anonymized patient intended and meets specified requirements.
records so that they can fill any informational ●Activities: Perform various levels of testing,
gaps preventing them from providing an including unit testing, integration testing, system
accurate diagnosis. This type of software often testing, and acceptance testing. Identify and
leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze all rectify defects or issues.
available patient data and generate probable 6. Deployment (or Installation):
diagnoses. ●Objective: Introduce the system into the
● Medical imaging software production environment.
Medical imaging and visualization software is ●Activities: Install the system on users'
used primarily for processing MRI/CT/PET machines, migrate data, and ensure that the
scans and designing 3D models. system is ready for operation. This may involve
●Human anatomy 3D modeling. Such a phased or full deployment strategy.
programs let medical technicians create tailored 7. Maintenance and Support:
models for individual patients. ●Objective: Sustain and enhance the system
●Designing and printing equipment or body over time.
parts. This software is used to print elements of ●Activities: Address bug fixes, implement
medical equipment or body parts, like artificial updates, and make improvements as necessary.
limbs or coronary stents needed for Provide ongoing support and maintenance to
cardiovascular surgery. ensure the system's continued functionality and
E-prescribing software relevance.
More and more countries around the world are 8. Evaluation and Review:
switching to electronic prescriptions, which ●Objective: Assess the system's performance
also means e-prescribing software is becoming and gather feedback.
a must-have for doctors. ●Activities: Evaluate how well the system meets
The software lets medical professionals track, its goals and objectives. Gather user feedback
renew, and cancel prescriptions for their to identify areas for improvement and potential
patients. It’s also integrated with national drug enhancements.
reference databases.
●The system life cycle refers to the process of
designing, implementing, and maintaining