CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 System Requirement Gathering and Analysis

2.1.1 Requirement Elicitation Techniques

Effective requirement elicitation is crucial in the development of a Hospital Management System

(HMS) tailored to the unique needs of healthcare institutions. To achieve this, a variety of
techniques such as interviews, surveys, and focus groups will be utilized to gather insights from
key stakeholders including hospital administrators, healthcare professionals, and patients. These
methods will enable the project team to understand the specific requirements, preferences, and
challenges faced by each stakeholder group, ensuring that the HMS adequately addresses their
needs (Sommerville, I. 2015). Furthermore, observation and workflow analysis will be
conducted to identify inefficiencies in current processes and workflows. By closely observing
how hospital staff interact with existing systems and workflows, the project team can identify
areas for improvement and tailor the HMS to streamline operations and enhance overall
efficiency. Additionally, prototype demonstrations and usability testing will be employed to
gather feedback from end-users, allowing for iterative refinement of the system design and
ensuring that the final HMS is user-friendly and intuitive for all stakeholders involved.

2.1.2 Stakeholder Analysis

A comprehensive stakeholder analysis is essential for the successful development of a Hospital

Management System (HMS). Stakeholders include hospital administrators, healthcare
professionals, patients, IT staff, regulatory authorities, and possibly insurance providers and
government agencies. Each group has unique perspectives and priorities, such as administrators
focusing on operational efficiency, healthcare professionals emphasizing usability, and patients
seeking accessibility and quality of service. By understanding these diverse interests and
expectations, the project team can prioritize requirements, manage expectations, and foster
collaboration throughout the development process, ensuring the HMS meets the needs of all
stakeholders involved.

2.1.3 Use of Prototypes

Prototyping will be a dynamic tool in the requirements-gathering process for the Hospital
Management System (HMS). Interactive mock-ups of the system's user interface and
functionalities will be created to help stakeholders visualize proposed features and workflows.
This iterative approach allows for early feedback and refinement of requirements, ensuring
alignment with stakeholder expectations and enhancing the overall development process of the
HMS.

2.1.4 Requirement Analysis Tools

Cutting-edge requirement analysis tools will be leveraged to streamline the requirement analysis
phase for the Hospital Management System (HMS). Platforms such as JIRA, Confluence, or
similar collaborative tools will be utilized to document, organize, and track requirements
throughout the project lifecycle. These tools offer features for creating user stories, managing
tasks, and facilitating communication among team members and stakeholders. Additionally, tools
like Balsamiq or Adobe XD will be employed to develop high-fidelity prototypes tailored to the
healthcare industry, allowing stakeholders to visualize proposed features and workflows. By
utilizing these resources, the project team can enhance efficiency, accuracy, and collaboration,
ensuring a systematic and well-documented approach to requirements analysis for the HMS.
2.3 System Development
2.3.1 web-based languages

2.3.1.1 HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)

While HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is conventionally linked with web development, its
utility extends to mobile technologies through responsive design. HTML, in conjunction with
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and JavaScript, enables the creation of mobile-friendly websites
that dynamically adjust to various screen sizes. This approach proves advantageous for
developing a web-based version of the Hospital Management System (HMS), ensuring
accessibility across a diverse array of devices. HTML5, the latest iteration, introduces features
such as offline storage and enhanced multimedia support, augmenting the capabilities of web
applications and offering a versatile solution for reaching a wide audience (Mozilla Developer
Network, 2022).

2.3.1.2 JavaScript

JavaScript is a versatile scripting language that adds interactivity and dynamic behavior to web
pages. As a client-side programming language, it runs in the user's browser and allows
developers to create responsive and interactive user interfaces. JavaScript is widely used for
tasks such as form validation, animations, and AJAX requests, making it a fundamental language
for building modern, user-friendly web applications (MDN Web Docs, 2022).

2.3.1.3CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)

CSS is a styling language used to control the presentation and layout of HTML documents. It
allows developers to define the appearance of elements on a web page, including colors, fonts,
spacing, and responsive design. CSS enables the separation of content and presentation, making
it easier to maintain and update the visual aspects of a website. It is an integral part of creating
modern and aesthetically pleasing web interfaces (W3C, 2022).
2.3.1.4 PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor)

PHP is a server-side scripting language designed for web development. It is embedded in HTML
code and executed on the server, generating dynamic content that is sent to the client's browser.
PHP is commonly used for tasks such as processing form data, interacting with databases, and
creating dynamic web pages. It is a powerful language for building robust and scalable web
applications (PHP.net, 2022).

2.3.2 Database

2.3.2.1 MySQL

MySQL, an open-source relational database management system (RDBMS), is renowned for its
speed, reliability, and scalability. It is a popular choice for web applications, MySQL supports
SQL queries, making it easy to interact with the database and retrieve information efficiently.
With features such as transaction support and data security mechanisms, MySQL provides a
robust foundation for storing and managing the data associated with spa services, appointments,
and user information in my web base.

2.3.2.2 PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL, often referred to as Postgres, is an advanced and powerful open-source RDBMS

known for its extensibility and adherence to SQL standards. It excels in handling complex
queries and large datasets, making it a suitable choice for this system; PostgreSQL supports a
variety of data types, indexing options, and provides features such as ACID compliance for
transaction management. Its commitment to data integrity and performance makes it an excellent
option for storing and managing the diverse data associated with garage services and user
interactions.

2.3.2.3 MS Access
Microsoft Access, part of the Microsoft Office suite, is a desktop database management system
that provides a user-friendly interface for building simple databases. While it may not be as
robust or scalable as MySQL or PostgreSQL, MS Access is suitable for smaller-scale
applications., MS Access could offer a convenient solution for managing appointments, customer
details, and service information. However, it's essential to consider scalability limitations if the
application is expected to grow significantly in the future.

2.3.2.4 MongoDB

MongoDB is a NoSQL database that diverges from traditional relational database models by
employing a document-oriented approach (Michel et al., 2019). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer
Berlin Heidelberg.). Ideal for handling unstructured or semi-structured data,. Its flexible schema
accommodates evolving data requirements, making it well-suited for scenarios where data
structures may change over time. MongoDB's ability to store data in JSON-like BSON (Binary
JSON) documents facilitates seamless integration with modern programming languages and
frameworks. This makes it particularly advantageous for mobile applications developed using
technologies like Flutter or Android, allowing for efficient storage and retrieval of diverse data
types related to spa services, user preferences, and appointment details. Additionally,
MongoDB's horizontal scalability ensures that your database can grow to accommodate
increasing data loads, aligning with the potential expansion of the system.

2.4 System Testing

2.4.1 Black Box Testing Black box testing focuses on evaluating the system's inputs and outputs
without examining its internal workings (Riccio et al., 2020). Testers concentrate on user
interfaces, functionalities, and interactions to ensure the application aligns with specifications,
meeting user expectations and functional requirements.

2.4.2 White Box Testing White box testing is vital for evaluating the internal logic and code of
the Hospital Management System (HMS), focusing on backend infrastructure, database
interactions, and server-side processes. By identifying weaknesses in the codebase, such as
vulnerabilities or inefficiencies, this approach ensures robustness, security, and efficiency,
ultimately enhancing the reliability and performance of the HMS.

2.4.3 Grey Box Testing Grey box testing offers a balanced approach to evaluating the Hospital
Management System (HMS), combining aspects of black box and white box testing
methodologies. This strategy allows for a thorough assessment of both user-facing features and
internal code structures. By examining the system from multiple perspectives, grey box testing
helps identify potential issues and ensures optimal functionality of the HMS.

2.4.4UnitTesting
Unit testing is a foundational aspect essential for the Hospital Management System (HMS),
involving the isolation and validation of individual units or components within the system's
codebase (Smith, 2019). In the HMS, each unit represents specific functionalities like patient
registration or appointment scheduling. The primary goal of unit testing is to ensure that each
unit operates correctly, handling various input scenarios and detecting potential errors before
integration into the larger system. Through rigorous unit testing, the HMS can achieve greater
resilience and reliability, enhancing its overall stability and functionality.

2.5 Similar Existing Systems

Epic Systems Corporation provides electronic health records (EHR) and hospital management
solutions tailored for healthcare organizations. Its platform offers features such as patient record
management, appointment scheduling, and billing. Users appreciate its comprehensive
functionality, but some have noted challenges with system customization and integration with
external systems (Epic Systems Corporation, 2021).

Cerner Corporation offers a suite of solutions for hospital management, including electronic
health records (EHR), revenue cycle management, and population health management. Its
platform is known for its interoperability and data analytics capabilities, although users have
reported occasional usability issues and complexity in navigating the interface (Cerner
Corporation, 2021).

Meditech provides hospital management software that encompasses various modules such as
patient registration, clinical documentation, and pharmacy management. Users commend its
user-friendly interface and robust functionality, although some have cited challenges with system
updates and customer support responsiveness (Meditech, 2021).

McKesson Corporation offers hospital management solutions focusing on revenue cycle

management, supply chain optimization, and clinical workflow automation. Its platform
emphasizes data analytics and interoperability, although users have reported concerns regarding
system stability and integration challenges with other healthcare systems (McKesson
Corporation, 2021).

NextGen Healthcare provides hospital management solutions that include electronic health
records (EHR), practice management, and revenue cycle management. Its platform is known for
its customizable workflows and interoperability features, although users have highlighted the
need for improvements in customer support and training resources (NextGen Healthcare, 2021).

2.6 Conclusion

In summary, Chapter 2 of the Hospital Management System (HMS) project navigates through
essential phases of the development lifecycle, encompassing system requirement gathering,
analysis, design, and development. The chapter utilizes various techniques such as interviews,
surveys, and stakeholder consultations to delve into user needs and project scope, laying down
the groundwork for a user-centric design approach. After conducting a thorough requirement-
gathering process, the chapter proceeds to delve into system design, encompassing both front-
end and back-end aspects to ensure a seamless user experience within the healthcare sector.
Subsequently, the system development phase covers coding, testing, and debugging, with a keen
emphasis on incorporating stakeholder feedback to facilitate iterative refinement. Additionally,
an analysis of existing systems highlights opportunities for improvement and integration with the
new HMS, establishing a robust foundation for the project's advancement.