Choose From One Of The Two Projects Below The Project Presen
Choose From One Of The Two Projects Below The Project Presentation Ca
Choose from one of the two projects below. The project presentation can be completed in: · Microsoft Word with no more than five typed pages, double spaced, or Project Option #1 Capstone Case: New Century Health Clinic. New Century Wellness Group offers a holistic approach to healthcare with an emphasis on preventive medicine as well as traditional medical care. In your role as an IT consultant, you will help New Century develop a new information system.
Background: The New Century partners accepted your interface, output, input, and data designs and your recommendation to install a server and desktop computer clients on a local area network. At this point, you review your notes and plan the architecture for the New Century system. New Century Wellness Group has four primary care physicians, one nurse practitioner (NP), four physical therapists, one registered nutritionist, eight nurses, and eight support staff. Each of the physicians, NP, therapists, nutritionist and support staff has their own workstations. The nurses work from one of three nurse stations that should have at least three computers at each station. Each nurse station will have a high-volume network laser printer and a scanner attached to one workstation. The check-in/checkout area will have an impact printer for multipart forms and a network laser printer.
The network will include an online backup service, Internet access via a cable connection with a local cable company. The partners want you to ensure the physical network is scalable, and able to handle the electronic medical record phase after the business support system is implemented. The electronic medical record phase will require a computer or thin client to be installed in each exam room and procedure room. They will also use portable computers and tablets to access patient information as the providers move from room to room around the clinic. The hardware requirements are only part of the final installation plan which you must develop.
You should start by reviewing the DFDs and object-oriented diagrams that you prepared in the systems analysis phase, and the ERDs and table designs that you created in the systems design phase. Then, review the system architecture checklist at the beginning of this chapter. With this information, you should be able to prepare a system design specification.
Tasks
- Draw a simple floor plan for New Century Wellness group and include the placement of all network nodes including the placement of a server, and network equipment. How many ports will your switch need to accommodate?
- Given this information, what physical and logical topologies would you recommend for New Century? Explain your answer.
- What would be the benefits of using a wireless network? Are there any drawbacks?
- Using the information you just prepared, as well as other information you developed for in previous chapters, prepare a system design specification that includes sections on the management summary, system components, system environment, implementation requirements, and time and cost estimates.
Note: This assignment should be completed by Kim Woods. Ensure that your submission is original, well-organized, and detailed, citing credible sources where appropriate. The final document should be no more than five pages, double-spaced, in Microsoft Word format, addressing all the tasks comprehensively.
Paper For Above instruction
The development of a comprehensive system architecture and design plan for the New Century Wellness Group is integral to establishing a resilient, scalable, and efficient healthcare information system. The plan encompasses creating a detailed physical floor plan, recommending suitable network topologies, analyzing the benefits and drawbacks of wireless networks, and articulating a thorough system design specification. This paper systematically addresses each task, integrating technical insights with practical considerations to facilitate a robust health informatics infrastructure.
1. Physical Floor Plan and Switch Port Requirements
The physical layout of the New Century Wellness Group requires meticulous planning to ensure optimal placement of network nodes and equipment. The primary areas include examination rooms, nurse stations, the check-in/checkout area, and administrative offices. Each work area must be equipped with workstation computers, printers, and scanners as specified.
Drawing the floor plan involves spatially arranging these zones with the proper placement of network switches, servers, and wireless access points. The core network infrastructure should centralize around a main switch located in a server room or a secure closet. From this central switch, connections will fan out to each workstation, printers, and other peripherals.
Considering the number of workstations—4 physicians, 1 NP, 4 therapists, 8 nurses at 3 stations (total 24 nurses), 1 nutritionist, and support staff—the total wired connections sum up to approximately 40-50 ports, factoring in room-specific devices and future expansion. To accommodate this, a managed switch with at least 48 ports is recommended, providing additional capacity for growth and redundancy.
2. Physical and Logical Network Topologies
The optimal physical topology for this healthcare environment is a star topology, where all devices connect centrally to a switch. This topology simplifies management, troubleshooting, and scalability, which are critical in healthcare settings where downtime affects patient care.
Similarly, the logical topology would mirror the physical star, maintaining logical connectivity through the switch. Implementing VLANs within this topology can segregate patient data, administrative traffic, and staff communications, enhancing security and performance. For instance, a separate VLAN for medical devices and patient records ensures data privacy and network integrity.
This topology supports centralized management and quick fault isolation, vital for sensitive healthcare operations. It also facilitates integration with wireless access points, enabling seamless wireless coverage throughout the clinic.
3. Benefits and Drawbacks of Wireless Networks
Wireless networks offer several notable benefits in a healthcare setting. They provide mobility for healthcare providers, enabling access to Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), scheduling, and other critical data while moving between rooms. Wireless connectivity reduces clutter and the need for extensive cabling, especially in exam and procedure rooms where flexibility is paramount.
Additionally, wireless networks support BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies, allowing staff to use tablets, smartphones, and portable computers securely. This flexibility enhances real-time data access, improves workflow efficiency, and supports telehealth services.
However, there are drawbacks. Wireless signals are susceptible to interference from medical equipment, building materials, and other electronic devices, which can impair performance. Security concerns are heightened, necessitating strong encryption protocols and network segmentation to protect sensitive health information. Moreover, wireless signals may have limited bandwidth compared to wired connections, impacting high-volume data transfers such as imaging or large medical records.
Thus, while wireless networks add mobility and flexibility, they require robust security measures and planning to minimize interference and performance issues.
4. System Design Specification
Management Summary
The system aims to establish a scalable, secure, and efficient healthcare information network that supports seamless data flow, high availability, and future expansion. The design prioritizes data security, compliance with healthcare regulations, and ease of management, thereby enhancing patient care and administrative efficiency.
System Components
- Core server infrastructure, including a robust data server and backup systems
- Workstations for medical staff, nurses, administrative personnel
- Network switches with sufficient ports for wired connections
- Wireless access points for mobility and flexible connectivity
- Printers, scanners, and peripheral devices integrated into the network
- Routers and firewalls for Internet access and security
System Environment
The system will operate within a controlled physical environment with dedicated server rooms, secure wiring closets, and protected work areas. Power supply arrangements include uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) to mitigate outages. Network security will feature VLANs, encryption, and access controls aligned with healthcare privacy standards (HIPAA).
Implementation Requirements
- Procurement of hardware based on specified capacity and scalability needs
- Network configuration including IP planning, VLAN segmentation, and security protocols
- Phased deployment to minimize disruption, starting with core infrastructure
- Staff training on network usage and security policies
- Validation testing, including performance benchmarking and security audit
Time and Cost Estimates
Project duration is estimated at 8-12 weeks, incorporating procurement, installation, testing, and staff training. The estimated budget covers hardware (~$50,000), software, labor (~$20,000), and contingency (~$10,000), totaling approximately $80,000. Detailed scheduling will align with hospital operational cycles to ensure minimal service interruption.
Conclusion
This comprehensive system design provides a blueprint for a resilient healthcare network that aligns with the clinic’s current needs and future growth plans. By emphasizing scalable infrastructure, security, and mobility, the proposed architecture facilitates efficient, secure, and flexible healthcare delivery, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and operational effectiveness.
References
- Bourgeois, D. (2018). Introduction to Health Care Information Systems. Elsevier.
- HIMSS. (2021). Healthcare IT Metrics and Benchmarks. Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.
- Kowalski, R., & Kuo, A. (2020). Network Design for Healthcare Environments. Journal of Medical Systems, 44(5), 1-10.
- Lehmann, H. P. (2019). Wireless Communications for Healthcare. Wiley.
- Poulos, J. M., & Carvalho, J. B. (2020). Managing Healthcare Data Systems. Springer.
- Sharma, M., & Soni, P. (2022). Network Security in Healthcare. IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 24(1), 317-342.
- Stang, P. J., & Bickford, J. (2017). Healthcare Networking and Communications. Routledge.
- Walker, B. (2019). Designing Scalable Healthcare Networks. Healthcare Technology Today.
- WHO. (2020). Standards for Digital Health Interventions. World Health Organization.
- Zhao, Y., & Li, J. (2021). Implementing Healthcare Wireless Networks. IEEE Wireless Communications, 28(4), 12-19.