ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to design and implement an online healthcare

system for General Hospital Minna. Healthcare services rendered to outpatient,
and can be defined as a patient who receives medical treatment without being
admitted to a hospital. It is a patient who is not hospitalized for 24 hours or
more but who visits a hospital, clinic or associated facility for diagnosis or
treatment.

The combination of PHP, MYSQL and MACROMIDIA DREAMVEAVER

was chosen for this project. The online outpatient database system offers
functionalities to quick access to patient records. It also provides management
with timely, confidential and secure medical reports that facilitates planning and
decision making and hence improves medical service delivery.

To achieve these objectives we proposed a new method for entering and storing
patient data. The nurse ensues a patient for the doctor, views the patient’s
history, diagnose and makes prescriptions based on the patient’s symptoms, this
is based on the database for further reference and improving data security.

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 CHAPTER ONE

1.0 GENERAL OVERVIEW

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Hospitals are highly information-intensive organizations which spend substantial

sums on information management and processing on inpatients and outpatients database

system. It naturally follows that technologies that improve the gathering, storage,

transmission and processing of information would be useful tools in hospital management.

Patient base assessments of medical care are increasingly being used to measure the quality

of health care. A variety of methods qualitative and quantitative are available. However,

patient satisfaction surveys are frequently used. The study assessed the patient’s perception of

care provided at an outpatient clinic has been carried out since established. An outpatient is a

patient who is not hospitalized for 24 hours or more but who visit a hospital, clinic or

associated facility for diagnosis or treatment. An inpatient, on the other hand, is “admitted” to

the hospital and stays overnight or for an indeterminate time, usually, several days or weeks

(though some cases, such as coma patients, have been in the hospital for years).treatment in

this fashion is called inpatient care. The admission to the hospital involves the production of a

hospital admission note. The leasing of the hospital is officially termed discharge, and

involves a corresponding discharge note.

In the old days, Doctors provide care in their offices or even at the patient’s home.

The trend reversed to where many treatments, tests, and surgeries were performed in a

hospital setting. These days many treatment options exists, and your health care plan and

your doctor can recommend what makes sense for you, along with a spectrum from less

intensive to more intensive care. Outpatient care is any health care service provided to a

patient who is not admitted to a facility. Outpatient care may be provided in a doctor’s office,

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clinic, the patient’s home or hospital outpatient department. In an urgent care facility,

treatment is provided for conditions requiring prompt medical attention but that are not

emergencies. Example of urgent care needs include ear infections, sprains high fevers,

vomiting, and urinary tract infections.

Inpatient care is a care given to a patient admitted to a hospital, extended care facility,

nursing home or another facility. Long-term care is the range of services typically provided at

skilled nursing, intermediate care, personal care or eldercare facility. Inpatient hospitalization

makes sense for major diagnostic, surgical or therapeutic services, where the patient’s

condition or response to medication must be closely monitored. In the case of mental health

treatment, a hospital stay may make sense if the person is suicidal or self-destructive or poses

a threat to others (www.oupatientths.com).

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS

The General Hospital, Minna healthcare records of In-out patient exhibited a lot of

difficulties in the system which is manual and is based on paper cards to collect a patient

record. So it needed Information Technology (IT) based solution, an evaluation of alternative

appointment systems to reduce waiting times and underutilization of a patient database

system in the hospital. Some of the problems are stated below:

1. Data is stored in a way which makes it difficult for the management to retrieve useful

information.

2. Difficulties in doctor patient appointment.

3. Inquiries about the patient's record are sometimes difficult to deal with a patient’s record

are not stored in a form that is easily accessible.

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4. Problems were encountered is the time-consuming nature of the manual of the patient's

lists and retrieval of patient file for various reason from the existing record system.

5. The hospital does not have a back-up of medical records in the case of natural disaster for

example flood, fire-outbreak.

6. Missing some or most of the patient’s records.

7. Patient’s information is usually mixed up while carrying files from one point to another.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

To design an online healthcare in-out patient database system for a medical unit of General

Hospital Minna which will provide easy access to patient records. The study has the

following objectives:

1. To explore the functions of the medical unit.

2. To investigate the services being rendered to the outpatient.

3. To explore the challenges of the service being rendered to the outpatient manually.

4. To develop an online database system to solve the problems.

5. To implement the outpatient record on the online data manually.

6. To make a recommendation for the adoption of an online database management system.

1.4 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study is General Hospital Minna but the study specifically

concentrates/emphasizes on having a secure and centralized online database records system

of patients in nursing and medical department. This research is going to be limited to

measures taken to manage patient records and analyses. Likewise, some recommended

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security architecture that integrates various data security measure that is needed to achieve

the desired security and privacy will be considered.

LIMITATION: The patient records is the compilation of medical data and information in its

numerous forms, and the source of this problem is diverse and reflect the extent of the

progress that must be made in order for the full public healthcare potential of the hospital to

be realized, improved patient care through improved outpatient records.

Problem-related to Hospital manual system can be summarized as follow.

1. Privacy and Security: there are still huge concerns in the healthcare industry about the

privacy of patient data on computer systems and how to keep such information secure.

2. Hospital Resistance: hospitals usually have 10-20 minutes to see their patients and if their

interaction with a CIS (Clinical Information System) during these sessions proves to be

counterintuitive by taking up more time than is necessary.

3. Poor of electric power supply in Nigeria,

4. Initial cost of acquisition: The high cost of basic infrastructure of health technology can be

a stumbling block to many hospitals.

5. Time-consuming: it involves a lot of time.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This large-scale sharing of medical records via network connections has the potential to bring

us numerous benefits. Online healthcare record will be separated from the in-out patient at

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the hospital. This study would be found useful for the general hospital Minna because it will

help to address the problem of security; privacy and confidentiality of patient health records.

It also helps to check the delay, error, inconsistencies in medical records and timely access to

historical records all of which had a significant impact on the quality of the hospital.

The implementation of the online healthcare system is vital to the provision of quality care, as

well as adequate management of scares resources and productivity. Increased outpatient

volumes and rapidly rising outpatient costs have affected commercial payers most

dramatically because most continue to contract for outpatient services on a percent-of-charge

basis. With this in mind, the single most significant benefit of implementing an OPPS is to

institute a mechanism for reducing medical expenses and constraining the growth of these

services.

1.6 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Healthcare or healthcare is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury,

and other physical and mental impairments in human beings. Health care is delivered by

practitioners in allied health, dentistry, midwifery (obstetrics), medicine, nursing, optometry,

pharmacy, psychology, and other health professions. It refers to the work done in providing

primary care, secondary care, and tertiary care, as well as in public health.

Access to health care varies across countries, groups, and individuals, largely influenced by

social and economic conditions as well as the health policies in place. Countries and

jurisdictions have different policies and plans in relation to the personal and population-based

health care goals within their societies. Health care systems are organizations established to

meet the health needs of target populations. Their exact configuration varies between national

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and subnational entities. In some countries and jurisdictions, health care planning is

distributed among market participants, whereas in others, planning occurs more centrally

among governments or other coordinating bodies. In all cases, according to the World Health

Organization (WHO), a well-functioning health care system requires a robust financing

mechanism; a well-trained and adequately-paid workforce; reliable information on which to

base decisions and policies; and well maintained health facilities and logistics to deliver

quality medicines and technologies

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Hospital: A hospital is an institution that provides a broad range of medical service to a sick,

injured and pregnant woman. Hospital employ doctors, nurse, and staffs to provide services

for people who require medical attention.

Surgical: pertaining to or involving surgery or surgeons.

Medical: relating to the science or practice of medicine. Medicine is an applied science or

practice of Medicine. It encompasses a variety of healthcare practice evolved to maintain and

restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness in human beings. The word medicine

is derived from the Latin ars medical, meaning the art of healing.

Pediatrics: the branch of medicine dealing with children and their diseases.

Gynecologist: is the medical practice dealing with the health of the female reproductive

system.

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Dental: of or relating to the teeth. The dental section deals with general dental illness and the

overall dental health of the patient. This section also develops an initial treatment plan and

refers to specialist when more specialized treatment is required.

Ophthalmic: pertaining to eye and its diseases

Nursing: the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of

illness and injury.

Pharmacy: the science or practice of the preparation and dispensing of medicinal drugs. The

pharmaceutical section gives out the prescribe drugs to patients. This implies that a patient’s

must first visit the doctor for complains before coming to this section to obtain drugs needed

for the cure of illness.

Laboratory: a room or a building equipped for scientific research, or teaching, or for the

manufacture of drugs or chemicals. Is section is responsible for conducting laboratory tests

on patients e. g blood and urine test. For a test to be conducted on a patient, it has to be

requested by the doctor.

Medical records: contain sensitive information and increasing computerization and other

policy. This section form an essential part of the patient’s present and future health care. It

provide the written collection of information about a patient’s health and treatment, which are

essential for the present and continuing care of the patient.

Maintenance: is the process of keeping or preserving something in good condition.

Social welfare: governmental provision of economic assistance to persons in need, which

is the well being of the entire society.

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X-ray: electromagnetic radiation of short wavelength produced when high speed electrons

strike a solid target.

Public health: is the health service to improve and protect community health, sanitation,

immunization and prevent medicine.

Admin: an abbreviation of the system operator. Hospital administration is the management

of the hospital as a business. It is made up of medical and health service managers.

It is evident that the number of the patient being treated is on the increase, therefore for a

speeding and easier handling of patients medical records at this rate, requires some

technology which brought about the need to computerize the patient's records and medical

history electronically in order to enhance operation effectively.

Database is organized collections of interrelated data stored with reduce redundancy to serve

one of more application.

Outpatient can be defined as a patient who receives medical treatment without medical

treatment without being admitted to a hospital. It is a patient who is not hospitalized for 24

hours or more but who visits a hospital, clinic or associated facility for diagnosis or

treatment.

Online is a connection to or controlled by a central computer.

Computerization: The act of implementing a computer-based system to enhance business

efficiency and productivity.

Software: These are written programs or procedures or rules or instruction and associated

documentation pertaining to the operation of a computer system.

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Patient Record: A collection of files containing medical information and other related

necessary information concerning a hospital’s patient.

Login: To enter into a computer software system normally by using the username and

password verification.

Medical Record’s staff: Staff inpatient record’s department in charge of collating patient’s

records.

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW AND SYSTEM ANALYSIS

2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW

The application of information technology in health care is unceasingly evolving as the

quality of patient care in contemporary times seems to depend on the timely acquisition and

processing of clinical information related to the patient Brailer(2005). Cholewka (2006)

asserted that a significant paradigm shift has occurred in health care service delivery from an

era of physician centeredness to emphasis on quality of patient care, from isolationist

practices by caregivers to networking in a global world, and from competition to

collaboration among practitioners. In tandem with this trend, improvement in technology and

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advancement in information systems has been adopted in the health care industry as a

business strategy to improve the quality of care Wilcke (2008).

A clear understanding of the usefulness of hospital information systems is lacking among

health care policy makers in Nigeria. The Year 2000 World Health report ranked Nigeria 187

out of 191 countries in health care infrastructure and health services provision. A gap in

knowledge exists regarding the exact number of hospital information systems functionally

available in Nigeria, but subjective data project less than 5% implementation of any form of

hospital information technology in a country of more than 150 million people Idowu,

Adagunodo &Adedoyin, (2006). This review was designed to explore the reasons for lack of

robust availability of hospital information systems in Nigeria.

Nigeria for a long time has suffered political instability, thus creating the opportunity for

corruption to thrive and enhancing poor macroeconomic management Okafor-Dike (2008).

Following years of military dictatorship and lack of government accountability,

infrastructural decay did not attract the desired attention Okogbule (2007). The petroleum-

supported economy faced years of blatant economic mismanagement and the squandering of

resources through institutionalized corruption Pierce(2006). After a few attempts at

democracy in the 20th century, Nigeria reestablished a democratically elected government in

1999, but one still recycling much of the political elements of the military era. A change in

the body polity of the nation has been painfully slow and in some cases retrogressive Okafor-

Dike(2008). A major task facing the current civilian regime is to rebuild the social

institutions and health care sector by introduction of new national policies. As a result of

decades of neglect, there is a serious shortage of modern health care facilities. The

government has taken steps to promote the development of a basic national primary care

program in the villages, but concerns abound about serious lack of specialized health care

facilities Ouma&Herselman (2008).

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The most recent population census held in Nigeria in 2006 estimated a population of 140

million inhabitants, whereas current projections puts the population at more than 150 million

people making Nigeria the most populous country in Africa (World health report, 2008).

According to the National Population Commission (2007), the population is young with 42%

in the age group 0-14, 55% in the age group 15-64, and only 3% age 65 and above. The

National Population Commission (NPC) published a wide range of information including the

fact that the population is growing rapidly by 2.4% every year. The birth rate is 40 per 1000

and the death rate is 17 per 1000. The fertility rate is 5.5 children per woman. The population,

which is ethnically very diverse, representing more than 250 different tribes and population

groups, is also diverse in religious beliefs. About 50% are Muslims, 40% Christians, and 10%

of different indigenous beliefs (National Population Commission, 2007).

Nigeria practices both orthodox medical care and traditional healing. Traditional medical

practitioners are native doctors who practice in rural areas but occasionally find patronage in

urban cities. The health care services by native doctors do not follow formal protocols or

depend on scientific tests to arrive at diagnosis. Sometimes their treatments endanger the

lives of their patients from overdose of herbal extracts. These traditional healers do not have

orthodox training, but depend on generational beliefs handed down by ancestors (Okeke,

2008). Even though the practice of Western medicine is rapidly expanding in Nigeria, the

non-availability of modern medical technologies in the health care arena remains a threat to

the success of orthodox medicine Pierce(2008).

Health care service delivery in Nigeria falls short of international standards resulting from

poor state of health care infrastructure, shortage of medical professionals, threat of re-

emerging infectious diseases, and poor sanitation. Over the last five decades post-

independence, growth, and development in health care has been dismal. HIV/AIDS has been

a very serious health challenge. About 3.6 million of the population are HIV positive or have
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developed AIDS (equivalent to a prevalence of 5.4% of the adult population). More than

300.000 individuals die from AIDS every year (Arikpo, Etor &Usang, 2007). Another major

problem is that of infant mortality. The World Health Organization Report (2008) indicated

an infant mortality of 110 per 1000 live births. As a comparison, the infant mortality in

Sweden is 2.7 per 1000 live births. Poverty has compounded these problems to give low life-

expectancy of 52 years for women and 49 years for men.

Recognizable demographic diversity exists in Nigeria with consequent disparity in

availability of health care facilities across the country Okeke, 2008; Ouma &

Herselman(2008). Electronic medical record systems help to improve access to health care in

remote suburban areas and ensure improved maintenance of long-term care Keenan, Nguyen,

&Srinivasan, (2006). Onwujekwe (2005) and Ofovwe and Ofili (2005), in separate studies

conducted to assess patient and community satisfaction, found discontent with community

members who decried the poorly staffed and inadequately equipped Primary Health Centers

(PHCs) in their rural settlements compared to hospitals in urban centers. Such demographic

disparity in health care accessibility benefits from hospital information technologies and

telemedicine to foster collaboration between clinicians in urban areas and those in rural

settlements Ouma&Herselman (2008).

Healthcare information systems include strategic decision support systems and clinical

documentation systems. Some of the clinical support systems include Laboratory Information

Systems (LIS), Radiology Information Systems (RIS), and Computerized Order Entry (COE).

Others are pharmacy information systems and personal data analysis systems with important

added feature for messaging between providers and staff, and the ability to share data with

other medical facilities Keenan et al., (2006). Telemedicine is a unique application of hospital

information technologies. In its simplest form, telemedicine uses audiovisual information and

communications apparatus to deliver health care services in a bid to modify socio-economic

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circumstances of the beneficiaries and improve accessibility to medical care Yun & Chun,

(2008).

A paucity of government policy regarding the implementation of hospital information

systems exists in Nigeria. The lack of strategic government programs has culminated in the

poor adoption of hospital information technologies in health care facilities across the country.

Okeke (2008) asserted that the lack of access to modern medical health care facilities has

compelled many Nigerian patients to seek treatment with traditional healers and patent

medicine dealers. The more affluent echelon of the society resorts to medical tourism

overseas to obtain health care services, resulting in a loss of foreign exchange to Nigeria.

Accor ding to Okafor-Dike (2008), poor leadership in Nigeria has led to years of economic

downturn affecting every aspect of social life. Rather than develop medical services in

Nigeria, government officials and wealthy individuals frequently seek medical treatment

abroad even for the most basic health care needs. Former Vice President Atiku goes to

Germany for treatment of his arthritis. Political analysts in both national and foreign media

have often questioned the rationale behind former President Yaradua’s frequent trips for

medical treatment in Saudi Arabia even for renal dialysis rather than developing medical

facilities in the country. In an apparent endorsement of the existing malady in the Nigerian

health care system, Judge Abutu of an Abuja High court, in a case brought before him in

2010, ruled that Yaradua violated no laws by remaining on hospital admission in Saudi

Arabia for more than two months Nigeria Judge Rules, (2010). The judgment appears

illogical; the decision from a respected legal authority seems to legitimize the quest for

overseas medical treatment by top government officials in Nigeria as a result of the poor

health care infrastructure in the country.

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Analysts acknowledge that the dearth of a modern medical infrastructure in Nigeria has

promoted medical tourism among the rich subset of the Nigerian population.

Amaghionyeodiwe (2009), in a study that examined the impact of government health care

funding in Nigeria, observed that the poor health care infrastructure continues to widen the

differences between the rich and the poor in Nigeria. The major reason for the widening of

differences, according to Amaghionyeodiwe, is that the poor are more strongly affected by

public spending on health care relative to the non-poor. Whereas the rich can afford oversea

treatments, the poor continue to suffer from lack of good quality treatment, increased

morbidity, and poor medical outcomes, thereby worsening their originally compromised

health status emanating from poverty.

Available literature provides common standpoint among various authors that disparities exist

in the implementation of hospital information system in developing and developed countries

Grimm & Shaw(2007), Williams & Boren, (2008). Speculated reasons include (a) Poor

technological and funding support in developing nations, (b) Poor management capacity at all

levels that hinders seamless workflow, and (c) complex milieu of health care service delivery.

Other posited factors include (d) continual evolution of technology, (e) Confidentiality

problems with the use of hospital information systems, and (f) poor technological background

of the Nigerian society Grimm & Shaw, (2007); Krishna, Kelleher, & Stahlberg, (2007). The

consequences of non-adoption of hospital information technologies include possible mix-up

with laboratory results, misdiagnosis, medication order errors, and mismanagement of

patients Keenan et al., 2006; Okeke, (2008).

Prior to the introduction of the health care insurance scheme in Nigeria, health care purchases

were made by individual out-of-pocket payments and few employer-based private health

insurance with different reimbursement mechanisms Pierce (2008). In June (2005), a

National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) commenced as a trial system. Policy makers
15
planned a regular review of the program, but no changes thus far have been made in the 5

years of its implementation. The Nigerian House of Representatives and Senate endorsed the

scheme, including a moratorium on deductions of contributions. The intention was to extend

the program to the organized private sector within 1 year of its commencement in the public

sector, but it remains to be seen if this system will provide enough health care coverage,

particularly to the poor. The lack of well-established information infrastructures within the

hospital systems in Nigeria presents a challenge to the health care delivery in the country.

2.2 FEASIBILITY STUDY (TECHNICAL, ECONOMICAL AND

OPERATIONAL)

A system is said to be feasible if goals and requirements can be satisfied within the limit of

available resources and technology using a particular tactic. In feasibility study it is good for

different solution strategies to be devised for a system and each of the solution strategy

thoroughly analyze before arriving at the final model for the system.

Hence, some considerations were involved in the feasibility analysis:

Technical Feasibility

The technical feasibility canters around the existing computer system (Hardware and

Software) whether it can support the addition of proposed system if not to what extents can it

support and organize capacity to acquire additional components(hardware).

Are those items or equipment required to implement the new system available. The new

system required the followings to function properly.

i. Sets of computer system (with Windows Operating system e.g. Windows XP, Vista,

Window 7 or Windows 8)

ii. Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS)

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iii. Output devices e.g. Monitor or a Projector.

iv. The hardware and software are easy to intake and handle

vi. The system has graphic user interface.

vii. Expandability will be maintained in the new system. New modules can be added later

on the application if required in the future.

viii. The application will have user friendly forms and screen all validation check. So the

new system guarantees accuracy reliability case of access to patient data.

Economic Feasibility

Is the analysis of the cost that would be incurred in implementing the new system i.e. the

cost of equipment required for the new system to be implemented.

In the case of this project, it is discovered that since most users already have a personal

computer or access to laboratory computer systems, the cost of purchasing a personal

computer to use or test the software is already taking care off.

A system financial benefit must exceed the cost of developing that system i.e. a new system

being developed should be a goal investment for the organization after due consideration of

the cost of using manual system compared with the new system it is discovered that cost to

conduct a full system investigation.

i. The cost to conduct a full system investigation

ii. The cost of hardware and software for the class of application

iii. The benefit in the form of reduced cost or fever costly errors.

The proposed inventory control system is economical feasibly because:

i. The system require very less time factors

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ii. The system will provide fast and efficient web-based environment instead of show

and error prone manual system thus reducing both time and power spent in running

the system

iii. The system will have user friendly interface and very less user training is required to

learn it.

Operational Feasibility: It is mainly related to human organizations and

official duties aspects. The points to be considered are:

 What changes will be brought with the system?

 What organization structures are distributed?

 What new skills will be required?

 Do the existing physical challenged have these skills?

 If not, can they be trained in due course of time?

The system is operationally feasible as it very easy for the end users to operate it. It

only needs basic information about web platform.

Table 2.1 operational feasibility

S/N Advantages Challenges

1 It Provide privacy Difficult in operation

2 It may cost more than normal phone Resource Intensive (Short Run)

3 Prepare for a more globalized economy -

4 Environmental importance as it reduce the

rate at which third party is disturbed. -

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2.3 SYSTEM ANALYSIS

System analysis is a vast field of study through which system analyst puts his

thoughts and searches for the solution of problem. He has to get a clear idea of what he has in

hand and what he has to produce. He has to extract the essence of expectations. He has to

satisfy the user in the very possible way. System analysis needs and should include the

following steps of study:

Study of current methods, the basic inputs available and output desired.

The splitting of a variable inputs into (.dbf) files so as to reduce redundancy and increase

consistency.

Give the idea of key – field (if any).

Ideas regarding code generation.

Software Analysis starts with a preliminary analysis and later switches on to a detailed one.

During the preliminary analysis the Analyst takes a quick look at what is needed and whether

the cost benefits. Detailed analysis studies in depth all the cornered factors, which builds and

strengthens the software.

A system study is a step-by-step process used to identify and then developed the software

needed to control the processing of specific application. System study is also known as SDLC

(Software Development Life Cycle).

2.3.1 FACT FINDING

Collection of facts or data being used in the Current system highlights the vulnerability of

current systems. A number of fact finding techniques implore are;-

Interviewing

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This is the most common ways of finding out about the current system and user requirement.

In this work, doctors, nurses and patients were interviewed about the method adopted in

healthcare at general hospitalminna.

Observation

It was observed that healthcare systemat general hospital minnawas done in raw as paper

format to their administrator.

Research

Is the technique for the investigator to make use of the information’s provided to him/her to

produce a new system, which is able to accommodate all existing methods, with a view to

produce a better and efficient online healthcaresystem.

2.3.2 ANALYSIS OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM

The goal of system analysis is to determine where the problem is in an attempt to improve the

system. The step involves breaking down the system in different pieces to analyze the

situation, analyzing project goals, and attempting to engage users that definite requirements

can be defined. A detailed analysis of the existing system was carried out. This involves the

investigation of the component parts of the Medical unit, in the Hospital outpatient’s Records

and their relations in making up the whole system presently used by General Hospital Minna.

In analyzing the existing way of doing things with a view to implementing a computer system

to automate the existing system, the following steps were taken to serve as a guide towards

achieving sensible results.

 Consider the required input and expected outputs for this system

 Consider the information flow and the principal categories of users of this software.

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Currently, the General Hospital Minna, electronic system of operation has not been

implemented in any of the unit of the hospital. The step by step activities carried out at the

Hospital for registration and consultation includes the following:

1. The patient has to be registered with the Hospital before he/she can visit the Hospital

for consultation. The registration process involves filling the medical form by both the

patient and Doctor. Information filled by the patient is necessary personal detail about

the patient, while those filled by the Doctor are the result obtained from the test

conducted on the patient.

2. After the forms have been completed they are submitted to the staff in charge of the

record room. Then a folder is created for the patient and he is given a Hospital card.

3. Whenever the patient is visiting the Hospital for consultation he/she present the card

which contains information like name, address, folder name and the passport of the

patient. Then the patient is sent to see the doctor.

4. The patient meets the doctor for consultation. The doctor view the necessary

information needed to conclude his diagnosis and aid prescription given to the patient.

5. Then the patient is sent to the appropriate unit depending on the diagnosis and

prescription.

2.3.3 STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS/PROBLEMS OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM

Some of the problems encountered or that are likely to be encounter as a result of the manual

system adopted at the Hospital are as follow:

A. Difficulty in searching a patient’s folder.

B. Difficulty in relating previous complaint with the new complains because of volume

of the folder.

C. Misplacement or mix up of content of patient’s folder.

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 D. Congestion of record room.

E. Lack of back up for data could lead to loss of entire information kept in the Hospital,

in the event of disaster.

F. Patients are delayed or prevented from meeting the doctor, if the Hospital card could

not be presented at record room.

G. Slow access to patient diagnosis history during emergency can lead to ineffective and

slow attention to be given to the patients.

H. Preparation of accurate and prompt reports, this becomes a difficult task as

information is difficult to collect from various registers

Lack of immediate information storage; the information generated by various transactions

takes time and efforts to be stored at right place.

2.3.4 SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS

Improved manual system: one of the alternative solutions is the improvement of the manual

system. Whatever we use automated methods, can be done manually. But the question arises

how to perform thing manually in a sound manner. The following are some suggestions,

which can be useful in manual system.

I. More sophisticated register maintenance for various patients’ information, Doctor

Diary, nurses roster and so on can be maintained at central place.

II. Adequate staff may be maintaining so that updating are made at the very moment at

the same time.

III. Eligible person for work should be made responsible so that a better efficiency could

be achieved. This needs a lot of work force.

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Batch System: Another alternative solution can be used of computer based batch system for

maintaining the information regarding purchase details, customers and employees. A batch

system refers to a system in which data is processed in periodical bases. The batch system is

able to achieve most of the goals and sub goals. But a batch system data is processed in

sequential basis, therefore batch system is not suggested.

Online System: this system provides online storage/updating and retrieval facility. This

system promises very less or no paper work and also provides help to Doctor and operational

staff. In this system everything is stored electronically so very less amount of paper work is

required and information can be retrieved very easily without searching here and there into

registers, which is the proposed system.

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 SYSTEM DESIGN

Based on the user requirements and the detailed analysis of a new system, the new system

must be designed. The design phase of any system is very important, vital and crucial

because the success of any system depends largely on its design specifications. In this phase,

the final specifications are used for translating the model into a design of the desired system.

In this phase, modules are being defined showing their relationships to one another in a way

known as a structural chart using structured tools. The reason for the design phase is to

specify a particular software system that will meet the stated requirements gathered at the

analysis phase.

Structured design divides a program into smaller, independent modules. They are arranged

orderly in a hierarchy that shows a model of the application area which is organized in a top-

23
 down manner. The concept of modification thus comes from structured design which is an

attempt to reduce complexity and make a problem manageable by sub-dividing it into smaller

segments.

3.1 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

The proposed system is designed to meet all the disadvantages of existing manual system.

The proposed system is better and more efficient than existing system. It is designed to keep

in mind all the draw backs of the present system to provide a permanent solution to the

problem associated with it.

The primary aims of the new system is to design a user interactive web site, user friendliness

is another peculiarity of the proposed system. The advantage of the proposed system is the

reduction in labour as it will give access to the Administrator, doctor, nurse and patient to

navigate on the web site and manipulate records on the demands of the management and as

well as other officials can browse the site for available types of services, using the new

system designed.

Home Page

Staff Service Patient About us Contact us

Authentication Authentication

Diagnoses
Register PatientProfile Appointment

History

Diagnosis
eee Apointment

History

Appointment
24
ase
 Dat
Fig 3.1 Architectural Design

And the important feature of the proposed system is the data security provided by the system,

which means that patient records is secure times of secretes in their record keeping system.

The main objective of the new system is to provide accurate method that facilitates easy

communication between doctor, nurses and patients. The main advantages of the proposed

system are: -

 Complex function is done automatically.

 Processing time is minimized

 Simple and easy to manages

 Possible to obtain accurate results.

 Chances of errors are reduced

 Faster and more accurate than the existing system

 Easy for handling report

<

3.2 ABSTRACT SPECIFICATION

This is a technique for managing complexity of computer systems. It works by

establishing a level of complexity on which a person interacts with the system, suppressing

the more complex details below the current level. The programmer works with an idealized

interface (usually well defined) and can add additional levels of functionality that would

otherwise be too complex to handle. For example, a programmer writing code that involves

numerical operations may not be interested in the way numbers are represented in the
25
 underlying hardware (e.g. whether they're 16 bit or 32 bit integers), and where those details

have been suppressed it can be said that they were abstracted away, leaving simply

numbers with which the programmer can work.

3.2.1 INPUT SPECIFICATION:

The inputs of the system are on the screen. They include the detailed list of the

patients also the name of the receptionist staff, address, and ID and telephone number.

Patient Profile

Particulars Description

Patient name This describes the patient name

Patient ID This describes the patient ID

Address This describes the patient Address

Passport This describes the patient passport

Telephone No This describes the patient Telephone No

Sex This describes the patient sex

DOB This describes the patient DOB

Nationality This describes the patient Nationality

State This describes the patient State

Next of kin This describes the patient Next of kin

Next of kin Address This describes the patient Next of kin address

26
B.P This describes the patient B.P

Temp This describes the patient Temp

Blood-Type This describes the patient Blood-Type

Genotype This describes the patient Genotype

3.2.2 OUTPUT SPECIFICATION AND DESIGN:

The deals with the design of this output forms of the system, there are two forms of output

this include the bill of export good and the list of all the client of the agency.

Patients Diagnosis form

S/N FIELD NAME DISCRIPTION

1 Patient Name This describe the patient Name

2 Condition This describe the patient Condition

3 Diagnosis This describe the patient Diagnosis

4 Note This describe the patient Note

5 Physics This describe the patient Physics

6 Date This describe the patient Name Date

Fig 3.2 Patient Diagnosis form

3.3.0 INTERFACE DESIGN

27
 The interface design is very important for any application. The interface design

describes how the software communicated with humans who use it.

3.3.1 INPUT DESIGN

The input design is the process of converting the user-oriented inputs into the web-based

format. Errors entered by data entry operations can be controlled by input design. The data is

fed into the system using simple interactive form. The forms have been supplied with

messages so that user can enter data without facing any difficulty. The data is validated

wherever it requires in the project. This ensures that only the correct data have been

incorporated into the system. The goal for designing input data is to make data entry as easy

as possible, logical and free from errors. The objectives of input design are:

i. To produce a cost effective method of input.

ii. To make the input forms understandable to the user.

iii. To ensure the validation of data inputted.

iv. To achieve the highest position level of accuracy.

The new system will be designed to capture the following data which will be supplied by the

user:

 Login Form: This will capture the following data:

Username or ID

Password

Fig : 3.2 login form

 Patient Form: This will capture the following data:

28 Passport
Patient ID

Password
 Sex
Next of Kin
DOB
Next of Kin Address
Address
B.P

Nationality Blood Group

State/LGA Genotype
GSM Date registered
Submit

The new system requires all essential data to be supplied by the user. The information is input

through the keyboard and they are discharge on the web page display unit as it is being

supplied and later committed to the database. Data validation is ensured in the system to

avoid invalid input such as password that is less than six (6) characters, leaving a box empty

e.t.c.

3.3.2 OUTPUT DESIGN

The output design shows the database as it will be viewed by the designer who is responsible

for retrieving the information supplied by the doctor/nurse/patients and relaying such

information to the appropriate quotas as at when necessary. Patients can also check for new

appointment, messages and diagnosis, treatment. The user must be registered member before

he/she would be able to login using a specified username and password.

Patient Profile View

Patient ID Passport
3.3 DATA STRUCTURE
Password
Name 29

Sex
Next of Kin
 Next of Kin Address
Address
B.P

Nationality Blood Group

State/LGA Genotype
GSM Date registered
Submit

Patient Diagnosis View

Patient Name Diagnosis

Date
Condition Note

Physician

3.4 DATA STRUCTURE

One major consideration of the work is to determine a suitable file structure and organization

so as to reduce redundancy maintain integrity and ensure easy retrieval of data from the

application.

This phase specifies all the files used for the system and their structures. The database is

designed using MYSQL. For the purpose of this project work, four (4) tables were created

and one database. The database named “healthcare” and all the tables (patient, admin,

messages, treatment, staff) are loaded into both the root local folders created by the system

designer with the aid of programs such as Apache, MYSQL and PHP using the local host as

the server. The table name, number of fields, field names, data type and character length,

attributes, null, default value, extra action and other descriptions for all tables used are

specified.

LOGIN FORM DATA STRUCTURE

30
 This table contains the login details for the admin i.e. the lecturer. The information in this

table is uniquely identified by the id

Table 3.1USERS LOGIN FORM DATA STRUCTURE

FIELD TYPE CONSTRAINT

ID INT(11) PRIMARY KEY

USER VARCHAR(10) NOT NULL

PASS VARCHAR(10) NOT NULL

PATIENTFORM DATA STRUCTURE

This table contains details information about the patient captured during registration.

The information in this table is uniquely identified by the patient ID. It also table contains

information about patient who have registered and update their profile. During any visit

to the web page, the patient is expected to view his/her profile for any update or message.

TABLE 3.2: PATIENTFORM DATA STRUCTURE

FIELD TYPE CONSTRAINT

ID INT(11) UNIQUE

PATIENT ID VARCHAR(20) PRIMARY KEY

FNAME VARCHAR(20) NOT NULL

LNAME VARCHAR(20) NOT NULL

PASS VARCHAR(20) NOT NULL

31
EMAIL VARCHAR(20) NULL

BLOODGROUP VARCHAR(20) NOT NULL

BP VARCHAR(20) NOT NULL

3.5 ALGORITHM DESIGN

(a) UserModule

Start

Enter User Name

Enter Password

Stop

(b) PatientProfile

Start

Enter Patient ID

Firstname

Lastname

Sex

Marital Status

DOB

Age

Address

GSM

32
 BP

Bloodgroup

Stop

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION AND DOCUMENTATION

4.1 SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION

The system implementation and application is required to put the newly designed system.

This talks about the requirements in terms of hardware configuration and system types, the

mode of conversion and the documentation of the system. Implementation has to do with the

33
effective series of step to be carried out that provide the practical means for operating the new

system by the users (Doctors, Nurse and Patient).

The system design for healthcare is contained in a CD-plate; the following steps are followed

for a proper accessing of the website.

The web-based package used in this research has been deployed to be tested locally. The

implementation procedures are as followed

1. A system with at least Window 7, for instance and XAMPP 1.7.4 installed or higher

version of XAMPP.

2. Installed the operating system feature called internet information service from “add

and remove” window component”

3. Copy the website portal into the c:\inetpub\wwwroot\healthcare

4. Also copy the website portal into the c:\xampp\htdoc\ healthcare \

5. Finally open an internet explorer, on the address bar type http://localhost\ healthcare\

index.php.

4.2 CHOICE OF PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE

The programming language are developed with the primary objective of facilitating of large

number of people to use computer without the need to know in details the internal structure of

the computer

It is very good to choose a programming language that one can handle, create, manipulate,

maintain, extract and summarizes the data recording and files with provision for data

manipulations, reliability, accurate integrity and security.

34
Programming language that will be used for this research work is HTML for interface design,

PHP and MY SQL (Structure Query Language) for database, because of the following

reasons:

(i) It is Window-based program

(ii) It is flexible easy to develop new program and to alter existing program

(iii) It is well suited in an interactive environment

(iv) It is easier to learn and can handle scientific calculations effectively.

(v) It does many things automatically to minimize the amount of work you must do to

create application.

(vi) Easy syntax which makes it faster to code.

Microsoft Query Language will be used for the database. PHP will be used for the

programming. Dreamweaver, Adobe Fireworks, Xampp Version 1.7.4, Adobe Flash C55.

4.3 INSTALLATION REQUIREMENT

Installation requirement are the minimum hardware and software requirement for the

development and implementation of the proposed system design.

4.4 HARDWARE REQUIREMENT

i. A Pentium Processor ranging from Pentium III and above.

ii. Minimum 14inch SVGA Colour Monitor.

iii. Hard disk with capacity of 40GB and above.

iv. Random Access Memory with capacity of “512MB” and above.

v. UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)

35
vi. Power Stabilizer

vii. Printer

4.5 SOFTWARE REQUIREMENT

The minimum software requirements are:

i. Microsoft windows XP Professional Edition Operating System.

ii. An Antivirus Software

iii. MYSQL (Structure Query Language)

iv. PHP (Pre-Hypertext Processor) Version 5.35

v. Macromedia Dreamweaver

vi. Adobe Flash CSS

vii. Wampserver (Wampee) Xampp version 1.7.4

viii. Adobe Fireworks CSS

ix. Internet Explorer 6, O.T, Opera/Mozila Firefox

4.6 PROCESS OF INSTALLATION

The web site is package into a folder available on a CD Plate, this makes it easy for

installation on any computer running Windows Operating system. The following steps can be

used to install the program:

 Turn On the computer

 Insert the CD Plate into CD Drive

 Double click My Computer

 Double click on CD Drive

36
  Copy the Folder

 Paste if in c:\xampp\htdoc\

Access it using a browser with the address: http://localhost/healthcare /index.php

4.7 SYSTEM TESTING

This involves testing the proposed system with sample data, this ensures that errors in the

design and coding are debugged and also to validate the overall system.

System testing is carried out when the subsystem are integrated under some controller to

make up the entire system. The processes and stages involves in the system testing are as

follows below: -

 Unit Testing.

 Module Testing.

 Subsystem Testing.

 Acceptance Testing.

1. Unit Testing: This is the basic level of testing where the units making up a module is

tested to ensure that they operate correctly.

2. Module Testing: This process involves testing the module as a new system is tested

one module after the other.

3. Subsystem Testing: Is the next stage in the testing process where modules are put

together to form subsystems, subsystem is usually concentrated on testing module interfaces.

4. Acceptance testing: System processed and it is realized that the system with real

profile or real data i.e. the information which is intended to manipulate.

37
4.8 SYSTEM CHANGEOVER

In other for the system to be fully integrated into use by the General hospital Minna, a

procedure is definitely required for converting from an existing method to a newer and better

method. Hence, the proposed change over procedure is test run this web site hand-in-hand

with the existing method to prevent loss of data, though this may be expensive in times of

technical aspect of the systems.

4.9 SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION

This gives an insight of the information in the main structure of the program. The program is

designed in such a way that it will take care of almost all aspects involves in keeping

adequate patient data and records, example; names, patient idsex, treatment etc.

38
 CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 SUMMARY

This chapter summarizes all the work done. In-Out patients department in a Hospital is to

computerize the working in the Office. The web-portal takes care of all the requirements of

an average Hospital and is capable to provide easy and effective storage of information

related to patients that come up to the Hospital. It generates test reports; provided prescription

details including various tests, and medicines prescribed to patients. It also provides injection

details, diagnosis and prescription.

5.1 CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, a properly computerized system can save time and money. It improves the

business operation and give the power to access and manipulate vital information quickly and

efficiently. This project has been worthwhile as our main aim which was inefficient and delay

of manual system, and unavailability of backup of data and also security of patient’s

information has been achieved. Moreover, the project enhances data security in the hospital

because the new system ensures data authenticity, accuracy, and availability any time and in a

fast and efficient way. The computerized system is therefore a great advantage to General

Hospital Minna in general and specifically the Medical Record Department which till date

operates a manual system of record keeping.

5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS:

Having successfully developed an online outpatient’s database system, I recommend the

following for better performance of the application.

39
1. Regular backup: is recommended for the purpose or recovering the database in the event

of disasters such as hardware failure, fire outbreak, virus attack and unauthorized

modification to data stored in the database all of which can lead to loss of information.

2. User’s username and password should be change at regular interval to reduce cases of

unauthorized access to certain information.

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