How Automation Enhanced QA for Medical Apps and Devices

SQA² Case Studies: Pharmaceutical

Overview

A global leader in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry partnered with us to enhance the quality assurance (QA) of their innovative healthcare app. This app integrates seamlessly with various medical devices to gather and manage critical patient data, including weight, blood pressure, and vitals, via Bluetooth. The client’s objective was to implement a robust QA process, leveraging automation to ensure software reliability and compliance with industry regulations. Our approach not only streamlined their testing processes but also delivered a scalable, cost-effective solution using our Software Quality as a Service (SQaaS) model.

Project Background

The client specializes in the development of cutting-edge medical technologies aimed at improving patient outcomes. Their healthcare app, central to their product offering, provides patients and healthcare providers with an intuitive platform to manage health metrics efficiently. The client initially relied on manual QA processes and sought our expertise to address growing complexities in ensuring app reliability, especially as it interfaced with multiple medical devices.

The client chose us based on our proven track record of delivering automation-driven QA solutions and the scalability offered by our SQaaS model. This model provided the flexibility and expertise needed to address their unique requirements, including the simulation of medical device interactions.

Challenges

1. Simulating Medical Device Payloads: The need to simulate diverse medical device interactions presented challenges in accurately replicating real-world scenarios. Discrepancies between mock payloads and actual device behaviors often impacted workflow accuracy.
2. Integration Complexity: The app’s reliance on simulated devices, Bluetooth connectivity, and JSON payloads required precise handling to ensure seamless integration.
3. Regulatory Compliance: Strict regulatory standards demanded rigorous testing and validation processes.
4. Hardware Dependency: Certain features, such as scanning and measurement retrieval, required real-world device interactions, complicating automation efforts.
5. Dependency Management: Frequent updates to app dependencies, especially for iOS, posed challenges in maintaining automation workflows.

Solutions Implemented

1. Robust Automation Frameworks: We employed Detox and Cucumber as the core automation frameworks, supported by tools like Android Studio, Xcode, and MetroBundler for device simulation.
2. Simulated Device Testing: Using mock payloads and APIs, we created a virtual Bluetooth system to replicate device interactions. This allowed comprehensive testing of workflows, including device scanning and measurement retrieval, without requiring physical hardware.
3. Data Validation and Accuracy: Simulated test results were validated against known benchmarks and manual tests, ensuring accuracy and parity with real-world scenarios.
4. Cost-Effective QA with SQaaS: Our embedded QA Engineer focused on technical automation tasks, while the SQaaS team managed manual testing and supported automation efforts. This blended approach reduced costs significantly compared to traditional SDET resources.
5. Regulatory Alignment: Testing processes were aligned with compliance requirements through close collaboration with the client’s regulatory teams, ensuring adherence to industry standards.

Outcomes

1. Enhanced Test Coverage: Automation allowed for extensive test coverage, including complex workflows that were previously dependent on manual testing.
2. Increased Efficiency: Automated testing significantly reduced the time required for regression testing, enabling faster iterations.
3. Cost Savings: Leveraging the SQaaS model, the client achieved measurable cost savings by utilizing a blended rate for automation and manual testing tasks.
4. Scalable Solutions: The automation framework provided scalability, allowing the client to efficiently test new app features and integrations.
5. Improved App Reliability: The testing approach bolstered confidence in the app’s reliability and performance, ensuring a seamless user experience for patients and healthcare providers.

Client Feedback

The client expressed appreciation for our ability to deliver innovative, cost-effective QA solutions tailored to their needs. They highlighted the professionalism and technical expertise of our team and noted the value of our SQaaS model in achieving their project goals efficiently. Retrospective feedback underscored the importance of automation in enhancing their QA processes.

Lessons Learned and Best Practices

1. Effective Communication: Regular communication with the client and internal teams was critical in ensuring alignment and addressing challenges promptly.
2. Adaptable Frameworks: Leveraging versatile automation frameworks enabled efficient testing across diverse scenarios.
3. Scalable QA Models: The success of the SQaaS model demonstrated the benefits of scalable, cost-effective QA solutions in regulated industries.

Contact Us

Looking to enhance your QA processes with innovative, cost-effective solutions? Discover how our SQaaS model and expertise in automation can help you achieve your goals. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or learn more about our services.