
Software Engineering: A fundamental Approach to Automate and Interface Medical Electronic Systems with Computers in Healthcare Systems
Author(s) -
Hashim M. Twaakyondo,
Joseph E. Mbowe
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
tanzania journal of engineering and technology/tanzania journal of engeering and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1821-536X
pISSN - 2619-8789
DOI - 10.52339/tjet.v30i1.400
Subject(s) - computer science , interface (matter) , documentation , software , compiler , software engineering , user interface , file transfer protocol , database , operating system , the internet , bubble , maximum bubble pressure method
The cost for application software and propriatry standards (i.e. data structure and formats) required for storing clinicaldatasets from electronic device cause the use of time-consuming paper-based documentation and/or the transfer ofelectronic lab records manually to the PC database systems in Mother-Offspring Malaria Study (MOMS) LaboratoryUnit located in Morogoro Regional Hospital, Tanzania. We have explored the ability to extract laboratory results fromHaematology analyzer machine for easy management, access and storage. The methodology and tools used during thestudy includes; site survey and hands-on practice for requirement engineering, visual basic 6.0 for interface design andMicrosoft Access for relational database design. The study has developed a model “ CO mpose- TRA ansmit- CO nvent-CO mpose” convention (acronym COTRACOCO) to implements an open serial port interface that required only a driverclass to execute the labs outputs for storage in database with at run-time with less programming knowledge. The studydemonstrated that the COTRACOCO convention presented is general and may promote a new paradigm for establishingthe robust serial port communication systems for any digital device.