EHRMS To Be Printed
EHRMS To Be Printed
EHRMS To Be Printed
APR 2024
DECLARATION AND APPROVAL
Student
I, the undersigned, declare that this proposal is my work and has not been presented at any other
university or institution for academic credit.
Signature…………………………………
Date……………………………………….
Student Name: Jerry Ochieng Anyumba
Reg. No: 1046093
Supervisor’s Approval
This research proposal has been submitted for examination with my approval as university
supervisor.
Signature…………………………………
Date……………………………………….
Name: Dr. Nicodemus Ishmael Aketch
Faculty: Faculty of Science
This research proposal has been submitted for examination with my approval as university
supervisor.
Signature…………………………………
Date……………………………………….
Name: Mr. Michael Kinyua Ndege
Faculty: Faculty of Science
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I want to offer my sincere gratitude to God for his protection, guidance, and provision of
strength, which have brought me this far in my academic journey and allowed me to complete
this project.
I am grateful to my project supervisor for sacrificing time to attend to all my questions and needs
regarding the completion of this project.
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DEDICATION
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ABSTRACT
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION AND APPROVAL ........................................................................................................... i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................................ ii
DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................................. iii
ABSTRACT................................................................................................................................................. iv
LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................................... v
DEFINITION OF TERMS .......................................................................................................................... vi
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Introduction to Electronic Health Record Management Systems ............................................. 1
1.2 Motivation ....................................................................................................................................... 1
1.3 Background ..................................................................................................................................... 1
1.4 Problem Statement .......................................................................................................................... 2
1.5 Aim of Research ............................................................................................................................. 2
1.6 Research Objectives ........................................................................................................................ 3
1.7 Justification of Research ................................................................................................................. 3
1.8 Scope of Research ........................................................................................................................... 4
CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF RELATED WORK ......................................................................................... 5
2.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2 History of The Research Topic ....................................................................................................... 5
2.3 Review of Related Prototypes ......................................................................................................... 5
2.4 Research Gap to Be Filled by Research ......................................................................................... 8
2.5 Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 8
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................... 9
3.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 9
3.2 Methodology for Literature Review................................................................................................ 9
3.3 Methodology for Requirement Specification, Data Collection, and Analysis Techniques........... 10
3.4 Methodology for System Analysis (Current System) ................................................................... 11
3.5 Methodology for System Design (Proposed System) ................................................................... 11
3.6 Methodology for System Implementation .................................................................................... 17
3.7 Methodology for System Testing.................................................................................................. 18
References ................................................................................................................................................... 20
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Home Page of Chart Logic System ................................................................................................ 6
Figure 2 MedBook User Interface ................................................................................................................ 7
Figure 3 DFD (Data Flow Diagram) for Proposed System........................................................................ 12
Figure 4 Flow Chart for proposed System .................................................................................................. 13
Figure 5 Sequence Diagram for Proposed System...................................................................................... 15
Figure 6 Entity Relationship Diagram For Proposed System database ...................................................... 16
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DEFINITION OF TERMS
Electronic Health Records (EHR): Digital versions of patients’ health information, including
medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, and test results.
Healthcare Provider: An individual or institution that provides medical services, such as doctors,
nurses, or hospitals.
Machine Learning (ML): A type of artificial intelligence that allows software applications to
become more accurate in predicting outcomes without being explicitly programmed.
Patient Engagement: The process of involving patients in their own care, often through the use of
technology.
Data Privacy: The aspect of information technology that deals with the ability of an individual or
organization to determine what data in a computer system can be shared with third parties.
Database: A structured set of data. In the context of EHRMS, it’s where all patient records and
related data are stored.
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Back-End: The part of an EHRMS that handles data storage and business logic, running on the
server.
User Interface (UI): The space where interactions between humans and machines occur. In
EHRMS, it’s what healthcare providers and patients interact with when using the system.
Cloud Storage: A service model in which data is maintained, managed, and backed up remotely
and made available to users over a network.
Authentication: The process of verifying the identity of a user who is trying to access a system.
Authorization: The process of giving a user permission to access a specific resource or function
in a system.
Encryption: The method by which information is converted into secret code that hides the
information’s true meaning.
API (Application Programming Interface): A set of rules and protocols for building and
interacting with software applications.
Server: A computer or system that provides resources, data, services, or programs to other
computers, known as clients, over a network.
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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction to Electronic Health Record Management Systems
This chapter introduces the concept of Electronic Health Records Management Systems
(EHRMS).
1.2 Motivation
The motivation for examining the implementation of an Electronic Health Records
Management System (EHRMS) at Nyeri Level 5 Hospital stems from a profound
commitment to advancing healthcare services in the Nyeri region. Recognizing the
transformative potential of technology in healthcare, this study aims to unravel the
underlying motivations propelling the hospital toward the adoption of an EHRMS.
The aspiration to enhance patient care, streamline workflows, and empower data-driven
decision-making underscores the urgency for a modernized health records system. By
delving into the motivations driving this technological shift, the study seeks to
contribute valuable insights to the broader narrative on the integration of EHRMS in
regional healthcare settings, fostering a deeper understanding of the evolving dynamics
in healthcare delivery.
1.3 Background
Nyeri Level 5 Hospital operates as a vital healthcare institution in the Nyeri region,
catering to the diverse and evolving healthcare needs of the community. In the context
of the hospital's historical reliance on traditional, paper-based health record systems, an
inherent need for modernization has emerged. The challenges associated with manual
record-keeping, including delays in accessing patient information, potential errors, and
limitations in data analysis, have prompted a reevaluation of the hospital's information
management processes. Amidst the global paradigm shift towards technologically
driven healthcare solutions, the background of this study is framed by the hospital's
recognition of the limitations posed by conventional record-keeping practices. The
inefficiencies inherent in paper-based systems have prompted a strategic shift towards
the adoption of an Electronic Health Records Management System (EHRMS). This
background establishes the context for understanding the hospital's transition,
highlighting the imperative of embracing contemporary healthcare standards and
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leveraging technology to address existing challenges. As the healthcare landscape
continues to evolve, this study seeks to uncover the foundational factors driving the
hospital's adoption of an EHRMS, offering insights into the broader implications of
technological integration in regional healthcare settings.
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1.6 Research Objectives
The primary objective of this research is to comprehensively drive the research project
titled "Electronic Health Records Management System: A Case of Nyeri Level 5
Hospital." This overarching goal encapsulates the entire research process, including data
collection, analysis, drawing conclusions, and ultimately developing a system. The
research objectives are formulated to guide the systematic progression of the study.
The research objectives include:
i. To review the current state of electronic record keeping and sharing among hospitals in
Kenya.
ii. To analyze the challenges that exist in the record-sharing process that is being used now.
iii. To develop a system that will be used by Nyeri Level 5 Hospital and other related facilities
such as insurance to store and share patient records with each other across Kenya.
iv. To carry out testing of the system to ensure full functionality.
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time, ensuring flexibility. This adaptability ensures that the system remains relevant and
effective in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
Existing research supports these observations. For instance, a study on the digital
transformation in healthcare highlighted the impact of technological innovation on
transforming healthcare business and operations. Another study discussed the emerging
health technologies and how they can transform healthcare delivery. Furthermore,
research has been conducted on the integration of technology into complex healthcare
settings. These studies underscore the significant role of technology in healthcare and
the potential for further advancements in the field. Therefore, the integration of existing
research into this discussion reinforces the importance and relevance of technological
advancements in healthcare. .
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CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF RELATED WORK
2.1 Introduction
This chapter provides a review of what is known regarding the topic and other points of
view regarding this topic. The review aims at sharing results of other studies closely
related to the study and helping to establish the importance of it which then allows for
better comparisons.
2.3.1 ChartLogic
ChartLogic is an electronic health record system that captures the clinical encounter
electronically without making you change your workflow. By combining easy-to-use
technology with a tool that users have been using all along—their voices—they’ve
made charting more efficient than ever.
Everything from medical history to diagnosis codes to referral reply letters can be
accessed from this screen, making it easy for users to complete a comprehensive note
without getting lost in forms and files.
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Figure 1 Home Page of Chart Logic System
2.3.2 Medbook
This is a universal health platform that allows a user to securely store, access and share
their medical records at the touch of a button. Other than record keeping, Medbook
offers its users a variety of other services such as connecting users to insurance plans.
With your digitized medical history standardized to a universally accepted format,
Medbook plugs you into a diverse pool of medical practitioners as well as pairing you
with an insurance provider who will meet your precise needs. It proposes an interactive
medium to allow various stakeholders to access the patient data securely utilizing the
latest technologies in data encryption and access authentication (Forgionne & Kohli,
1995). Medbook can predict, prevent or at the very least, minimize the physical and
financial burden that epidemics and outbreaks cause countrywide. For insurance firms,
the challenge faced is not just that most medical records are paper-based and scattered
in many institutions, but for it, incidences of fraud claims have risen dramatically. With
the Medbook platform, the immediate benefit is the markedly reduced expenditure
commitment to verifying claims. It also replaces the billing system employed making
your operations more effective and efficient. The options to log onto this system are as a
doctor or a patient.
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Figure 2 MedBook User Interface
2.3.3 AfyaEHMS
AfyaEHMS was first implemented in Machakos County in Kenya and later rolled out to
different levels of healthcare facilities within other counties. Machakos County hospital
was using an existing ICT system but were motivated to install a Ministry of Health-
backed system in order to lower costs, improve system performance, and increase
access to technical support (Muinga, 2018) The implementation of this HER in
Machakos encountered some difficulty because of a number of reasons such as; rather
than switching completely over to the new system, the manual paper file 10 system ran
in parallel. This led health workers to choose the paper system over the electronic
system. The challenge was compounded by the feeling that the EHR was complex to
use and health workers had not received adequate training. Also, there were workflow
challenges that made the EHR incompatible with the clinical workflow, making it
difficult to use the system effectively.
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The field of Electronic Health Records Management Systems (EHRMS) is rapidly
evolving with advancements in technology.
There is a growing emphasis on the interoperability of EHRMS, enabling seamless
exchange of patient data across different healthcare providers and systems.
These technologies are increasingly being integrated into EHRMS to provide predictive
analytics, improve decision-making, and automate routine tasks.
There is a shift towards more patient-centric EHRMS, with features that allow patients
to access their own health records, schedule appointments, and communicate with
healthcare providers.
As EHRMS handle sensitive patient data, there is an increasing focus on enhancing data
security and privacy measures.
While there is extensive research on EHRMS, there is a gap in the literature when it
comes to their implementation and use in specific settings such as Nyeri level 5
hospital. This research aims to fill this gap by exploring the implementation and use of
EHRMS in this specific context. It will provide insights into the unique challenges and
opportunities associated with implementing EHRMS in such settings, and contribute to
the development of best practices for similar future implementations.
2.5 Summary
In this chapter, we reviewed previous published works on the topic, existing systems
that relate to the research topic and upcoming trends in technology. EHRMS that exist
have been found very valuable by this research since they have acted as a guide on
which features are existing and work, and the features that need improvement or are
missing. The next chapter will present the findings of the research.
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CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
This chapter will discuss in detail the research methodology that will be adopted in this
study. We shall discuss the methodology for literature review and requirement analysis.
Therefore, this chapter shall be demonstrating the methods that shall be used to guide
the process during the period of the project and to a successful project.
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Additionally, we will delve into the integration and interoperability aspects of EHR
systems. This involves examining how these systems interface with other healthcare
information technologies and external systems, and the implications for data sharing,
communication, and coordination of care.
Lastly, we will address security and privacy considerations inherent in EHR
management. This includes analyzing the measures implemented to safeguard patient
data and ensure compliance with regulatory standards, such as HIPAA regulations,
within the digitalized environment of Nyeri Level 5 Hospital.
By synthesizing findings from diverse sources, our literature review aims to provide a
comprehensive understanding of the current status and challenges of EHR management
systems, with a specific focus on their application at Nyeri Level 5 Hospital.
3.3 Methodology for Requirement Specification, Data Collection, and Analysis Techniques
3.3.3.1 Questionnaires
Questionnaires will be used to gather data from a larger group of respondents about
their attitudes, experiences, or opinions regarding the current health records
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management system and the proposed EHRMS. This will help in collecting both
quantitative and qualitative information.
3.3.3.2 Interviews
Interviews will be conducted with key stakeholders such as hospital administrators,
healthcare providers, and IT staff. The aim of these interviews will be to gather in-depth
information about the current health records management system, challenges faced, and
expectations for the new EHRMS.
In line with the insights from Nwakwama Ifeanyi Cosmos, the design methodology will
determine the operational aspects of the Electronic Health Records Management System
(EHRMS) at Nyeri level 5 hospital. This includes the hardware, software, and network
infrastructure; the user interface, forms, and the necessary database. In this phase, we
will design the database, flow charts, sequence diagrams, use cases, context diagrams,
collaboration diagrams, and pseudocodes that will underpin the proposed EHRMS.
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3.5.1 Dataflow Diagram
Figure 3 DFD (Data Flow Diagram) for Proposed System, , Ochieng, J.A.,2024
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3.5.2 Flowcharts
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3.5.3 Sequence diagram
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3.5.5 ERD diagram
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3.6 Methodology for System Implementation
3.6.1 Front-end
The front-end, or user interface, is what users interact with directly. It will be built
using:
3.6.1.1 HTML
This is the standard markup language used for creating web pages. It will be used to
structure the content on the web pages of the EHRMS.
3.6.1.2 CSS
This is a style sheet language used to describe the look and formatting of a document
written in HTML. It will be used to style the HTML elements on web pages.
3.6.1.3 JavaScript
This is a high-level programming language that enables interactive web pages. It will
be used to add functionality to the web pages, such as form validation, dynamic content
loading, and user interaction.
3.6.2 Back-end
The back-end, or server-side, is where the application’s data and core logic reside. It
will be built using:
3.6.2.1 Java
This is a versatile and powerful programming language that can be used for developing
a wide range of applications. It will be used to write the server-side logic of the
EHRMS, such as handling HTTP requests, performing CRUD operations on the
database, and implementing authentication and authorization.
3.6.3.1 MySQL
This is a popular open-source relational database management system. It will be used to
store and manage the data for the EHRMS, such as patient records, user accounts, and
medical reports.
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3.7 Methodology for System Testing
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3.8 Methodology for System Deployment
We will deploy the EHRMS as a web application, which provides several advantages.
Web applications can be accessed from any device with a web browser and an internet
connection. This means that users can access the EHRMS from their computers, tablets,
or smartphones, regardless of their operating system. This can be summed up as
accessibility.
Updates and bug fixes can be rolled out easily and users can access the updated version
immediately, without needing to manually update the software on their devices.
Web applications can be easily scaled to accommodate a growing number of users. This
is particularly important for an EHRMS, which may need to handle a large amount of
data and a high number of concurrent users.
The deployment process will involve several steps, including setting up a web server,
configuring the database, installing the EHRMS on the server, and testing the
deployment to ensure everything works correctly.
3.9 Summary
This section outlined the methodology of study, a longitudinal analysis using
observations, interviews, and documentary analysis for data and requirements
collection. A number of selected technologies, HTML, CSS, JavaScript for the front-
end and Java, MySQL for the back-end will be used to develop the system. We shall
also employ software like Visio Paradigm for UML diagrams. The system will be
deployed as a web application to ensure maximum accessibility for users.
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References
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https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20552076231203660
Digital Transformation in Healthcare: Technology Acceptance and Its Applications.
(2023, Feb). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9963556/
Emerging Health Technologies and How They Can Transform Healthcare Delivery.
(2021, Feb). Retrieved from
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Technology integration in complex healthcare environments: A systematic literature
review. (2021, Apr). Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33412484/
Tumolo, M., Colella, R., Recchia, V., Ponzini, G., Bodini, A., & Mincarone, P. (2022).
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