July 13, 2023
By: John Tomblin, Senior Solutions Architect
ScottsdaleBizz, a division of Sofvue, LLC
Printed with permission of Data Titan, Sofvue LLC, and the author.
Medical software development has given a major boost to the healthcare sector. Medical facilities are now shifting from paper models to more automated and quick medical software operations. Since this industry must deal with enormous amounts of data while simultaneously performing multiple functions, medical software comes in handy.
The medical software industry collected a staggering $41.2 billion in 2021. Experts believe it will reach $104 Billion by 2030. These impressive figures speak volumes about the importance of medical software for carrying out healthcare tasks. They help improve patient care by maintaining and preserving their records for quicker and more timely detection. Medical software also minimizes the pressure on the staff by automating most tasks, giving them enough time to focus on other essential duties. The software assists in quick and effortless billing while streamlining administrative tasks.
Steps involved in medical software development process
Software development companies excel at developing feature-loaded and responsive medical software, but only when the software developer has the right team, resources and medical development experience. The development process involves some critical stages to meet the specific needs of the healthcare institution. If you wish to know more about the medical software development process, then you are in luck. We have prepared this step-by-step guide to take you through the development process.
Step#1 Requirements gathering: The first step in medical software development is to gather requirements. This involves extensive communication and collaboration with healthcare professionals, administrators, and other stakeholders to understand their needs and expectations. You should communicate with the client clearly and constantly for the best results. You can also conduct interviews, workshops, and discussions for the development team. This will provide insights into the desired functionality, user interface requirements, integration needs, and regulatory compliance considerations.
Step#2 Design and architecture: The next step includes creating the basic structure of the software. It includes mapping the work plan, designing the software layout, figuring out the CMS, and identifying other software components. The architecture should ensure scalability, security, and data privacy. User interface design is also crucial in this phase to ensure an intuitive and user-friendly experience is achieved for all the heathcare professionals in your medical practice.
Step#3 Development: Next comes a crucial stage where the development phase begins. It involves writing bug-free code, feature integration, etc. The process requires the developers, engineers, coders, and designers to work in close proximity to help streamline communications. This reduces the chances of delays due to errors. Reputable software development companies usually adopt Agile project development methodologies for critical projects to maintain quality, scalability, cost, and time efficiency.
Step#4 Testing and Quality Assurance: Quality assurance plays a crucial role in medical software development. Developers perform rigorous testing to ensure the software functions correctly, meets the specified requirements, and is free from bugs and vulnerabilities. Distinct types of testing, including functional testing, integration testing, performance testing, and security testing, help in verifying the software's reliability, accuracy, and performance.
Step#5 Deployment and maintenance: Once the software has passed all the tests, it is ready for deployment. You then must install and integrate the software into the healthcare provider’s existing healthcare infrastructure. This also involves migrating their data to the new software, if required. The team must be on its toes for a few days to help the client become familiar with the software and assist in maintenance.
The importance of Security compliance in medical software development
The healthcare industry requires timely checks to ensure everything is perfect. Medical software should be devoid of all safety issues for a seamless and error-free experience. The American authorities have laid down some rules and certifications that a healthcare institution should adhere to. Your software should help you comply with HIPAA, ISO13485, Meaningful Use (MU), Promoting Interoperability (PI), etc.
➤ Data protection: Technology comes with its challenges, and data theft is one of the most common issues. Medical software contains confidential patient data that should be protected from malware and cyber attacks. Medical software that follows all safety protocols remains safe from online data theft and malware attacks. Security compliance measures, such as encryption, access controls, and secure data storage, safeguard this data from unauthorized access or breaches. Compliance with regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States ensures that patient data is handled securely and confidentially, protecting individuals' privacy rights.
➤ Maintaining Business Continuity: For continuous healthcare procedures and operations, you should have reliable software. Security compliance provides effective business continuity and disaster recovery plans, preventing data loss and system outages. Healthcare software assists in routine backups, redundant systems, and proactive monitoring, minimizing delays in patient care and assisting healthcare practitioners in providing prompt and effective services.
➤ Approval from regulatory bodies: Your software will not pass security checks by authorities, leading to disapproval. A regulatory body's approval is mandatory for integrating medical software into your healthcare system. In the US, FDA may be required, depending on the type of medical software underdevelopment.
➤ Trust among patients: Building trust among your patients is necessary for an effective and fruitful business. Lack of security compliance will lead to doubtful patients, which may result in business losses.
You may also like to read: Online Physician Appointment Mobile App Development Costs & Features
How to choose a reliable medical software development company?
Hiring a medical software development company would mean handing them all the confidential data. You need a reliable service provider for that. The market may be full of different companies providing this service, but you should choose a trusted software development company. Here is what you should look for when choosing a company to develop medical software:
#1 Experience: Since medical software will cost you a fair amount, it is better to find a software developer with experience. You should hire a service provider with good industry experience. Medical software development requires hard work and impressive skills, which are attained with a developer’s experience.
#2 Established portfolio: It is always wise to carefully analyze the portfolio of the service provider. It is best to evaluate the developer's history, project successes, and customer satisfaction. A solid portfolio of successful medical software projects demonstrates their capability and reliability.
#3 Industry expertise: The tech world is always changing, and an expert developer will always evolve. Hire a software developer who is well acquainted with industry trends and emerging technologies. An industry expert will always apply all their learning to the project, making it more robust and successful.
#4 Crisp communicator: This part is easy to analyze. A good developer or software development company will sell their services in a unique manner. They are aware of their work and communicate with you accordingly. Such service providers prove to be impressive communicators, which makes the entire project development smooth and hassle-free.
#5 Support and maintenance policy: It is best that you inquire about the developer's post-development support and maintenance services. Medical software requires ongoing updates, bug fixes, and regulatory compliance updates. Ensure that the developer offers reliable support and maintenance services to ensure the long-term performance and scalability of the software.
Types of Medical Software Development
✅ Medical Billing System: A healthcare facility has numerous patients visiting them in a single day. The medical billing system not only helps with billing but also saves patient records in the system for future reference. The other tasks of this system include processing insurance claims, scheduling appointments, etc.
✅ Medical Research Software: The medical industry is constantly evolving, and this software can assist practitioners and staff members in medical research and data analysis. It aims to make the interpretation of large data sets easy and efficient.
✅ Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS): CDSS software offers healthcare providers evidence-based advice and suggestions to assist in making precise diagnoses and treatment decisions.
✅ Medicine Stock Monitoring: Handling and monitoring the medicine stock can be challenging without a proper management system. You can get medical software that can assist in keeping track of which medicines and equipment you should restock.
Common Questions Asked About Medical Software Development
How can medical software benefit my business?
Medical software is designed and developed to help healthcare facilities improve their businesses using technology. They assist you in generating and managing bills, patient data, medicine inventory, etc.
How much do you charge for medical software development?
The exact development cost depends on factors like the software type, features, deadline, etc. You can book a call with one of our architects or customer service representatives to discuss your project.
How do you ensure the data security of your clients?
We have a secure infrastructure to protect our clients' data at all costs. Our team of experts takes all necessary precautions, like using antiviruses, antimalware, encrypted documents, etc.
Conclusion
Scottsdale Bizz is a leader in the custom software and mobile app business sector. With access to the latest tools and technologies, our experienced professionals deliver world-class healthcare software tailored to your needs.
Based in Arizona, we cater to the requirements of small businesses across the contiguous 48. We have years of experience in developing robust and strong mobile apps, websites, and healthcare software. If quality is at the top of your list, then Scottsdale Bizz can be your ultimate software development partner. You can contact us to further discuss your project, and we guarantee to deliver software that will exceed your expectations.
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