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Medicine
Medical Inventory Management System
Our team recently developed a custom inventory management system for a medical clinic, addressing their specific needs, such as managing medical supplies, medications, and equipment. While they could have opted for a conventional system, we incorporated several custom features tailored to their operational challenges. One standout feature is the management of medications by their expiration dates, ensuring that the clinic remains compliant with medical safety standards and avoids wastage due to expired drugs. The entire system was designed for ease of use, with mobile support, QR code scanning, and an intuitive interface.
Key Features
Medication Inventory with Expiration Management
A critical requirement was tracking medication expiration dates. We implemented a feature that allows clinic staff to monitor expiration dates, receive notifications when medications are nearing expiration, and track the opening of packages. This feature reduces the risk of expired drugs being used and helps the clinic efficiently manage stock rotation, avoiding wastage of high-cost drugs.
QR Code Scanning and Mobile Accessibility
The system is designed to be fully accessible via mobile devices, allowing staff to scan QR codes on medication and equipment packaging. This streamlines data entry and minimizes human error. We chose QR codes for their ease of use and reliability in tracking the location and status of items, which simplifies inventory updates, especially when staff members are constantly on the move.
Simple and Intuitive Interface
To ensure that the system could be used efficiently without requiring extensive training, we focused on developing an intuitive user interface. The system uses a minimalist design with clear buttons for selecting actions, eliminating unnecessary visual elements like complex graphs or dense information panels. This allows staff to quickly understand the system, reducing time spent managing inventory.
Equipment and Device Management
In addition to medication, the clinic needed a way to keep track of other assets like medical devices, furniture, and computers. The system allows users to assign QR codes to these items and log information such as condition, usage, and the person responsible for each item. This tracking ensures accountability and simplifies inventory management when assets are relocated or repaired.
Role-Based Access Control with Administrator Panel
We introduced a role-based access control system, allowing the clinic’s administrator to manage inventory access for other staff members. The admin panel is designed for easy management, with controls for tracking high-value devices, ensuring that only authorized individuals can move or remove certain equipment. This functionality improves overall security and accountability in the clinic.
Expanding and Customizing the System
Although the system was initially developed for this clinic, it can be adapted for use in other industries with minor modifications. Its modular design allows for scalability, supporting additional users and systems as the clinic grows or if implemented in other settings.
Technologies Used
The system was built using a combination of modern web development technologies and embedded solutions for efficient, scalable performance. Here’s an overview of the key technologies we used:
Front-End
- HTML, CSS, JavaScript: These were fundamental for creating the user interface. We kept it clean and simple to ensure ease of use.
- Vue.js: This front-end framework was ideal for building reactive components that help users interact seamlessly with the system.
Back-End
- Node.js: We chose Node.js for the server-side because of its non-blocking architecture and fast performance, ensuring that the system remains responsive under heavy usage.
- Express.js: For routing and handling HTTP requests, Express.js was used in tandem with Node.js, providing a simple and scalable framework for building the API.
Databases
- PostgreSQL: As the system needed to handle complex queries for tracking items, especially medications and expiration dates, PostgreSQL was selected for its robustness and scalability.
- Redis: To speed up certain operations, such as session management and caching, Redis was integrated as an in-memory data store.
API and Mobile
- Ionic: For mobile accessibility, we used Ionic, a mobile UI toolkit that allowed us to build a cross-platform mobile app with a seamless experience across iOS and Android.
- OpenAPI: We designed a robust API using OpenAPI standards, which made it easier to document and test the API as the system evolved.
Testing and QA
- Jasmine & Jest: Both testing frameworks were used to ensure the system’s components worked flawlessly across various scenarios.
- Cypress: End-to-end testing ensured that the system’s user workflows, from scanning QR codes to managing medications, functioned without errors.
- Sentry: To monitor errors in real-time and improve debugging processes, Sentry was integrated into the system for efficient tracking and error reporting.
Version Control & Collaboration
- GIT & GitLab: We managed the entire codebase using Git for version control, with GitLab as our collaborative platform, ensuring smooth team coordination during development.
Other Tools
- Swagger: We documented our API using Swagger to ensure easy maintenance and scalability, as well as to provide clear guidance for future developers working with the system.
- Docker: For consistent development and deployment environments, we containerized the system using Docker, which helped streamline deployment and scale the solution.
Conclusion
This custom inventory management system has revolutionized how the clinic handles its resources. By automating critical processes such as medication tracking, we have improved operational efficiency, minimized the risk of human error, and optimized the use of valuable medical supplies. The clinic now enjoys a more streamlined workflow, with mobile access making it easier for staff to update inventories on the go.
While built specifically for this clinic, the system is flexible enough to be adapted to other industries or expanded with more advanced features. It can easily accommodate additional users, more detailed tracking, or integration with other systems, making it a versatile solution for a wide range of environments.
