MediLog: A Pilot Study of Online Management System for Medical Device Status and Loan

Abstract

Malaysia's medical device industry is experiencing significant growth, with 309,829 devices procured at a cost of RM 7.78 billion and actively utilized in public hospitals nationwide. This surge highlights the need for an advanced medical device management system to efficiently handle the life cycle of these devices to ensure optimal utilization and streamline operations. Other proposed technological solutions like RFID, RTLS, and infrared tags aim to address these challenges, but their high installation costs pose barriers, especially for government hospitals. To overcome these obstacles, this pilot study advocates for a mobile application as a cost-effective alternative for comprehensive medical data management. The proposed application, developed using MIT Apps, capitalizes on portability, ease of management, and the multifunctionality of mobile platforms. A key feature of the application is the barcode scanner, widely employed across industries for enhanced data capture efficiency. The Real-time Database is integrated into the project, facilitating the swift and accurate storage of medical device information. In essence, the mobile application prototype provides a practical solution to the limitations of manual data management in the biomedical department. Leveraging MIT Apps and incorporating features like the barcode scanner and Real-time Database, the application streamlines the updating of machine details, ensuring users access precise and current information. This approach promotes efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness in medical device management within the healthcare system.