A Digital Medical Library; Seamless, Error Free and Efficient Storage and Organization of Medical Content for Healthcare Professionals
Business Situation
Information Discovery is critical to complex healthcare environment. Medical science is expeditiously changing and now more than ever, medical professionals rely on clinical information and knowledge resources to update their knowledge. This requires an efficient, user oriented library management system that can facilitate relevant information in an instant. Managing media i.e. videos, books, research papers, journals, reports, graphics etcetera, unique IDs for tracking, multiple book copies under a single umbrella and keeping records of available books as well as issued books are only a few aspects of putting together a physical and digital library.
Our client approached us to simplify library processes with error free, quick and automated Library Management application and overcome all the challenges related to manual medical library management.
To cater to a larger user base, the need of seamless and intuitive application was needed. Flexible access, advance search functionality, and integration capabilities fulfils the requirement of a librarian. LTS aimed at building a Library Management System that would systematically overcome challenges with the existing structure: a digitized library system for easy storage of reference material with easy access, and a track of all activities related to issuance of digital and physical content.
- Compilation challenges:The series of documentation required for audit and compliance purpose were difficult to trace required material. It is also time consuming to compile it, arrange it, categorize it and store it for timely access.
- Storage challenge:More the documents and books, more is the need of bigger space for their storage.
- Costs incurred:Storage and safe keeping of books would require huge costs that would also include the cost of recruiting manpower for all activities related to compiling, arranging and safekeeping of books.
- Unauthorized Access:Tracing a book stolen from library is more difficult than checking if someone unauthorized tried to access the library database. Online E-books could be accessed by authorized people or even unauthorized people, depending on security settings.
Need for responsive design: With people using mobile devices to access internet, the online source of study and reference needed to be mobile-friendly and have a responsive web-design.
Technology
• DNN (Dot Net Nuke)
• SQL Server 2008
• Asp.Net
• C#
• SQL Server 2008
Solution
Healthcare domain experts together with the development team at LTS built an online Medical library. This application totally changed the situation with the library catering to new services and exhibiting functions that were beyond the capabilities of a traditional library. Major modules of the digital library included Online Registration, Cataloguing Module, Online Access of Catalogues, Book & Document record, Circulation (check in/out status,), Reports and user notifications that notified interested users when desired item was found. With right tools and structure, the library now served all information related needs of health science professionals.