OBJECTIVES
MedicComs wanted to design and develop a secure messaging and case management app that could be used by individuals in the healthcare sector to resolve any patient related problems quickly and efficiently. It was also vitally important that app was compatible with both phone and desktop to ensure it fully meet the needs of the typical user base. Traditionally, when issues with prescriptions or patient notes arise a lengthy phone call would ensue to try and contact the correct person to then try and come to a resolution. To help speed up this process MedicComs wanted to provide an app that would allow practitioners to direct message one on one or open cases and assign them to the relevant people in their partner organisation.
To facilitate this workflow, we also had to design and build an administration portal for the team at MedicComs that would allow them to manage organisations, members, cases, and messaging functionality. The admin portal also has varying levels of access that allows organisations to manage their members and make connections with partner organisations that they can they message and open cases with in the mobile/desktop app. Members can send direct messages in real-time to anyone in an organisation they are partnered with, they can also send images and all exchanges include ‘sent-at’ and ‘read-at’ receipt to ensure a seamless user experience. Members can also open cases with partner organisations. To open a case, users will be asked to provide a Healthcare Number for the patient they are referencing. We then check this is a valid NHS number and the relevant case information can be provided by the issuer to the relevant person in the partner organisation. Cases also include Sent and Read receipts, alongside Opened and Closed at timestamps. The platform is fully auditable if required with reporting available in the administration portal. Administrators can see ‘sent-at’ and ‘read-at’ receipts, opened and closed timestamps on cases as well and the full information for what action each user takes in the system.
Data security was also a huge factor for this project. This was a product that was ultimately going to be provided to the NHS in various different settings from GPs to pharmacies and care homes. Therefore, we had to take security into consideration both from an infrastructure perspective as well as how we would approach that build of the software solution. The final goal was to put the solution through rigorous penetration testing by a third-party supplier.