Everything You Need to Know about QA Testing In Healthcare Domain

The reason why domain testing should be conducted on healthcare software solutions is to embrace legal and safety requirements for patients, integration to other setups and their interface, effectiveness, and user interface. Thorough testing not only enhances outcomes and patient care but also increases the dependability and quality of the software. 

Failure to achieve app interoperability could lead to potential costs exceeding a billion for companies. Moreover, subpar performance has the potential to steer away 53% of visitors from your medical website. To prevent such setbacks, how can you minimize these risks to safeguard your business revenue? Utilizing healthcare application testing offers a solution to these issues and more. With the help of QA specialists, you can identify and address critical vulnerabilities in your software. As a result, you can introduce a secure, high-performing, and user-friendly product that provides tangible benefits to patient care services. 

According to a KPMG report, 57% of organizations consider healthcare domain testing essential for ensuring quality assurance. This testing is vital for providing reliable and efficient software solutions in the evolving healthcare sector. Now, let’s delve into the following to expand our knowledge QA testing in healthcare domain.  

 What is Healthcare Domain Testing 

Healthcare domain testing refers to the essential evaluation process of healthcare software applications to guarantee compliance with regulations and meet end users' needs. It involves verifying aspects such as data security, healthcare record management, administrative functions like billing, and more. To effectively conduct healthcare domain software testing, a deep understanding of not only the application but also the intricate requirements of the healthcare industry is crucial. This includes factors such as enhanced data security measures and adherence to specific laws regarding data privacy. In the realm of software development for healthcare, encompassing various platforms like web, mobile, desktop applications, and medical device software, healthcare software testing plays a pivotal role in ensuring quality outcomes (you can also explore our article on healthcare app testing to ensure your medical apps run smoothly and securely). 

Why is Healthcare Domain Testing Important?  

Exploring the significance of healthcare domain testing sheds light on its critical role in the lifecycle of healthcare software development. 

• Enhanced efficiency: Healthcare software applications are intricate and demand a high level of expertise to provide top-quality care. Seamless operation is pivotal for healthcare professionals to optimize the applications effectively.  
• Management of big data: With each patient generating substantial data, the healthcare industry produces a vast amount of information. Extracting, analyzing, and presenting this data using Big Data solutions is essential for developing treatment plans and strategies. Thorough testing of applications is crucial to delivering accurate data insights to healthcare organizations for optimal outcomes (discover our big data testing services to optimize data accuracy and enhance business efficiency). 
• Strengthened security: Healthcare data is rich in sensitive information, making it a prime target for security breaches. Safeguarding applications through security testing is paramount to protect against hackers and uphold the integrity of confidential healthcare data (explore our security testing services to safeguard your product from potential threats). 
• Enhanced user experience: Usability testing ensures that healthcare software applications are user-friendly for doctors and healthcare professionals, enhancing overall patient experience. 

Healthcare domain testing is vital for ensuring the functionality, security, and usability of healthcare software, ultimately leading to improved patient care and operational efficiency. By addressing the unique challenges of the healthcare sector, thorough testing contributes to better data management, enhanced user experiences, and robust protection of sensitive information. 

We're here to assist with your healthcare software testing needs. Contact us for expert support and solutions! 

Common Testing Types in Healthcare Domain Testing 

Healthcare domain in software testing is carried out to enforce the reliability, security, and usability of applications. There are various types of tests applied in verifying that healthcare applications measure up to strict standards and perform their roles as required in live situations. All these types of testing ensure that healthcare applications perform their intended functions and provide a secure, effective, and user-friendly experience for both healthcare providers and patients.  

A comprehensive healthcare app testing strategy enables developers to deliver high-quality healthcare applications that satisfy the critical needs of the healthcare domain. 

QA in Healthcare Domain: 5 Vital Considerations 

Security and Compliance Testing 

The medical technology industry is influenced by various regulations, including HIPAA. As outlined in the HIPAA Rule, healthcare providers are accountable for safeguarding private health information (PHI) stored within their medical software. Even minor vulnerabilities in applications can potentially result in significant data breaches. Failure to secure PHI can result in fines of up to $1.5 million or legal liability. 

Automated healthcare domain software testing assists in verifying that all application endpoints are adequately protected with proper authorization and access permissions. Additionally, specialists in healthcare application testing assess whether your software aligns with the standards of the Transport Layer Security, a commonly used protocol that encrypts communications between web applications and servers. 

When developing a healthcare application on AWS, you can leverage numerous tools from the AWS technology stack for healthcare testing. For instance, you can establish specific software rules using AWS Config. AWS will then automatically evaluate your software to ensure compliance with these rules. Another relevant AWS tool for quality assurance in healthcare is IAM Access Analyzer, enabling you to identify and remove unusual software permissions that could increase your app's vulnerability. 

Get in touch for reliable QA testing services tailored to your healthcare needs. We're here to help. 

UI/UX Testing 

Even if your product functions well and is free from security or connectivity issues, a subpar UI/UX design can have detrimental consequences. This is especially critical in the medical field, where many users are elderly individuals who may struggle with unfamiliar technology. To ensure the efficiency of your patient app, it is essential to create an intuitive design that minimizes user frustrations. Conducting UI/UX healthcare testing enables you to identify and address potential user challenges during app navigation. UI/UX healthcare testing can be categorized into two primary stages: 

1. Static healthcare application testing: This phase involves a comprehensive evaluation of a non-interactive app design developed using tools like Figma to assess its alignment with user requirements and business logic. 
2. Dynamic software testing: This stage focuses on evaluating how your app design handles diverse requests and performs under dynamic conditions within the medical industry. 

There are various methodologies for conducting healthcare application testing, with some of the most popular ones outlined below. 

Medical Device Testing 

IoT systems have become a crucial component of the healthcare sector. Healthcare providers heavily depend on these systems, making any IoT system malfunction capable of disrupting the entire care process. Emphasizing medical device software testing is key to safeguarding your IoT systems against data inconsistencies and related issues. Having issues like an app recognizing a device but not connecting, or a wearable not sending data, highlights how important software testing is for medical devices. This approach addresses not only these issues but also a myriad of other potential challenges. 

During the phase of software testing for medical devices, scrutiny is placed on the functionality and integration of medical device databases. Quality assurance professionals assess the utilization of this database during medical device software testing in healthcare domain (to prevent any loss of medical device data. It's important to note that medical device testing is conducted by skilled professionals with extensive knowledge of medical technology and regulatory requirements, ensuring that devices are reliable and function correctly within the healthcare system, distinct from the testing needed for web applications. 

Interoperability Testing 

The healthcare industry is increasingly focusing on interoperability. With the expansion and complexity of medical systems, ensuring seamless connectivity and efficient data exchange is crucial. Key industry players like Open Networked Computing and Content Management Software are implementing regulations to promote the development of healthcare interoperability. Non-compliance with these regulations can hinder your business from participating in insurance programs that offer lucrative incentives. This underscores the significance of quality assurance in healthcare for many organizations. 

Conducting healthcare domain in software testing is essential to identify any issues that could impede the interoperability of your applications and platforms. Quality assurance specialists use manual requests to examine your software's data exchange processes and assess their compatibility with the FHIR standard. Moreover, a medical software testing expert employs various testing scenarios to assess your app's integration with different third-party services. By evaluating the interoperability of medical software solutions, you can ensure the seamless operation of even the most complex healthcare IT systems. 

Additional Testing Types 

The before mentioned five types of software testing for medical devices are fundamental components of QA testing in healthcare domain. Nevertheless, there are other testing methodologies that can be employed based on the specific requirements of the project. Given the critical nature of medical applications, comprehensive testing from various perspectives is essential to guarantee their efficacy. 

• Mobile Version Validation: Focuses specifically on the app's performance on mobile devices. 
• Positive and Negative Testing: Involves testing applications with both valid and invalid inputs to verify expected behavior in diverse scenarios. 

Have questions or need a tailored QA solution? Contact us for personalized support and expert guidance on improving your software. 

Challenges of Healthcare App Testing 

Security Testing 

QA engineers must ensure that data remains secure and uncompromised throughout the testing process, presenting specific challenges: 

• Limited Access to Live Patient Data: Conducting tests in real-world scenarios is preferred, but stringent regulatory requirements protecting patient data make it hard to access such data, thereby restricting the testing process. 
• Integration with External Systems: Healthcare software interfaces with hospital management systems and medical devices, potentially introducing new security vulnerabilities. Additional testing of medical device software is necessary to ensure the overall system's security. 

Hardware Integration Testing 

• Access to hardware devices: QA specialists frequently face restrictions or complete lack of access to medical devices necessary for testing with other devices. This challenge adds complexity to the medical device software testing process and results in incomplete and unreliable outcomes. 
• Limited interoperability: Certain healthcare devices have restricted interoperability, posing challenges in assessing the software's capability to interface with them. 

Interoperability Testing 

• Testing Complex Systems: Healthcare software systems often exhibit complexity due to their reliance on multiple components, medical devices, and third-party systems operating harmoniously. Interoperability testing mandates that QA specialists possess deep insights into the system interactions. 
• Navigating Varied Technologies: Healthcare applications are developed using a multitude of languages, technologies, and platforms. Consequently, QA engineers need to command a diverse technical expertise and experience. 
• Managing Sensitive Data Loads: Healthcare software must efficiently manage vast quantities of data and user interactions. This necessitates specialists to engage with significant personal data during testing procedures, ensuring its utmost security and protection. 

Quality Testing for Audio and Video (in Telehealth Apps) 

• Testing under Variable Network Conditions: Telehealth applications rely on a stable Internet connection for optimal performance, influenced by factors like device capabilities, network infrastructure, and location. Given the significant variability in these conditions, QA specialists should conduct tests in diverse scenarios to ensure a reliable audio and video connection. 
• Integration with Hardware: Telehealth apps are typically designed to interface with various hardware and medical devices, including specialized headsets, tablets, microphones, cameras, speakers, and headphones. Ensuring high-quality audio and video performance on these devices poses a key challenge during testing. 
• Challenges in Resource Availability: QA engineers may encounter constraints in accessing all necessary hardware and testing tools, leading to limitations in the accuracy and coverage of audio and video quality assessments. 

Regulatory Compliance 

During healthcare software development, developers are required to adhere to a range of regulatory requirements, guidelines, and policies. These standards vary between countries; for example, the USA follows HIPAA, Canada has the PIPEDA Act, the EU complies with GDPR, and Australia enforces OAIC. Non-compliance with these regulations can result in substantial financial penalties for healthcare software development companies. 

Best Practices for Healthcare Domain Testing 

Healthcare domain software testing is complex and demands considerable effort. Adhering to best practices can simplify the process and enhance accuracy: 

• Understand the functionality of the system before writing test cases.
• Understand interdependent services and their architecture.
• Avoid assumptions; verify all aspects thoroughly.
• Plan test delivery well in advance of the release.
• Develop a comprehensive test strategy and test plans to cover all testing requirements.
• Include Non-functional Requirements (NFR) testing early in the process.
• Prioritize accuracy in every aspect of testing.
• Set realistic deadlines for testers to complete their tasks.
• Document adequate evidence after each testing activity.
• Integrate automation tools where possible to accelerate the process.

By following these best practices, healthcare domain in software testing can become more efficient, reliable, and capable of meeting the stringent requirements necessary to ensure high-quality healthcare solutions. 

Driving Excellence: The Resilience Lab and Luxe Quality Collaboration 

About Resilience Lab 

In the fast-evolving landscape of health-tech startups, Resilience Lab is dedicated to enhancing access to psychological care. With over 200 clinical professionals, they have successfully delivered more than 100,000 therapy sessions since their establishment in 2019. To ensure the quality and reliability of their psychotherapy services platform, Resilience Lab initiated a comprehensive testing project.

Project Overview 

At the project's inception, the platform had 250 automated tests that took five hours to execute, and there was a lack of adequate test documentation. Our primary task was to validate the platform's functionality and reliability while addressing several challenges. 

Challenges: 

• Long Test Execution Times: Initial automated tests took 5 hours to execute. 
• Lack of Documentation: Only basic project documentation led to communication gaps. 
• Complex Application Architecture: Numerous endpoints complicated integration testing. 

Our Solutions: 

• Optimized Test Framework: We integrated API scripts, reducing execution time from 5 hours to just 2.5 hours! 
• Comprehensive Test Documentation: Created detailed test plans, checklists, and reports to enhance communication and coverage. 
• Diverse Testing Approaches: Combined manual and automated testing using WebdriverIO and Postman to ensure the platform’s reliability. 

Results 

• Automation Efficiency: Increased the number of test cases to 330, with over 300 automated, resulting in significant cost savings. 
• Speed and Reliability: API testing documented 11 issues and optimized the test framework, reducing execution time to 2.5 hours. 
• Validation of Changes: A robust stack of Smoke and Regression tests ensured comprehensive functionality validation within the CI pipeline. 
• Quality Control Process: Established systematic documentation, including test plans and templates, to enhance the quality control process. 

The integration of manual, automated, and API testing has ensured that Resilience Lab's platform is reliable, functional, and stable, leading to improved product quality, increased productivity, and higher customer satisfaction. Curious about how we can transform your healthcare application? Let’s connect! 

Conclusion

QA testing in the healthcare domain is not limited by the basic need to ensure that an application function – instead, it is a vital method that helps to protect patients from harm and maintain legal compliance as well as defend the integrity of critical health data. Due to the various subsets involved in the development of healthcare applications, testing needs to be approached systematically. If you're looking to strengthen the reliability and security of your healthcare applications, our team of experts is here to help. Contact us to learn more about how our testing solutions can safeguard your software and enhance patient care.