Performance in Healthcare IT: The Role of Persona-Based Workloads and Regression Testing 

November 20, 2024

System downtime can ripple across entire healthcare organizations, delaying treatments, frustrating staff, and compromising patient outcomes. For instance, healthcare IT downtime can cost organizations an estimated $7,900 per minute and jeopardize critical workflows. 

To safeguard these systems, persona-based workloads and regression testing are essential strategies. These approaches simulate real-life user interactions and ensure stable performance after updates, forming the backbone of a reliable healthcare IT environment. 

Understanding Persona-Based Workloads in Healthcare IT 

Persona-based workloads are test scenarios tailored to the roles and actions of specific users in a healthcare environment, such as clinicians, radiologists, and patients. These simulations aim to mimic the real-world interactions within IT systems, from accessing patient records to managing imaging studies. By reproducing these interactions, healthcare organizations can better understand how systems perform under realistic conditions and ensure their reliability. 

How Persona-Based Workloads Mirror Real-Life Interactions 

Healthcare IT systems are intricate, supporting diverse workflows unique to each role. For instance, a clinician might navigate an electronic medical records (EMR) system to review lab results and place orders, while a radiologist requires high-speed access to imaging software for diagnostics. Persona-based workloads replicate these tasks, testing the system’s ability to handle their complexity under pressure. 

Consider three common scenarios: 

• Clinicians access patient records and enter orders in an EMR system. 

• Radiologists view and interpret high-resolution imaging studies using Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS). 

• Patients log into a secure portal to review lab results and communicate with providers. 

By recreating these interactions, persona-based workloads provide invaluable insights into how systems will perform under the stress of real-world use. 

Figure 1. A “virtual clinician” is seen interacting with Cerner PowerChart, alerting IT of a crash that was found 

Regression Testing in Healthcare IT 

Regression testing ensures that ware updates or integrations don’t inadvertently disrupt existing functionalities. In healthcare, where system stability is paramount, this process is critical. When paired with lifecycle management, which is the continual monitoring and maintenance of software systems, regression testing helps maintain the uninterrupted care flow. 

Importance of Regression Testing at Each Lifecycle Stage 

Regression testing is crucial at every stage of a software lifecycle, from development and deployment to regular updates. Neglecting this step can lead to undetected bugs, regulatory non-compliance, or even system-wide failures, which can severely disrupt operations and patient care. 

For example, skipping regression testing after a new EMR update might cause errors in how prescriptions are transmitted to pharmacies, leading to potential patient safety issues. Regression testing catches these errors before they affect end users, ensuring systems remain reliable. 

Figure 2. A Continuous Test catching a spike in Epic workflows in non-production, preventing the issues moving into production 

Best Practices for Persona-Based Workloads and Regression Testing 

Building and Testing Persona-Based Workloads 

Developing accurate persona-based workloads starts with understanding healthcare roles and workflows. IT teams can create scenarios that reflect actual usage by analyzing the daily tasks of clinicians, radiologists, and administrative staff. Testing tools like Login Enterprise simulate these tasks, providing data on system performance under realistic conditions. 

It’s equally important to maintain data privacy and compliance during testing. This involves anonymizing sensitive patient data and adhering to regulations such as HIPAA, ensuring that testing environments mimic real-life systems without exposing protected information. 

Integrating Regression Testing into Lifecycle Workflows 

For regression testing to be effective, it must be embedded into every stage of the software lifecycle. Automation can streamline this process, enabling quicker, more consistent testing as systems evolve. Moreover, test cases should be updated regularly to account for new features, integrations, or compliance requirements. By doing so, organizations ensure their testing remains relevant and comprehensive. 

Enhancing Persona-Based Workloads with Login Enterprise 

Persona-based workloads ensure healthcare IT systems perform seamlessly under real-world conditions. Tools like Login Enterprise significantly enhance this approach. Our Script Recorder feature streamlines the creation of automated test cases by capturing and replicating user actions accurately and efficiently. This allows IT teams to simulate complex workflows such as clinicians accessing electronic medical records (EMR), radiologists interpreting imaging studies, or patients navigating secure portals. 

The Script Recorder enables healthcare organizations to tailor test scenarios to specific user personas easily. By recording interactions with systems, IT teams can create robust and realistic workloads that mimic the day-to-day operations of clinicians, administrative staff, and patients. This precision ensures that performance tests reflect usage, providing actionable insights for improving system reliability. 

Streamlining Regression Testing with Automation 

Regression testing is essential to maintaining stability during software updates or integrations. Login Enterprise supports this critical process by automating the execution of test cases and enabling continuous performance monitoring. With the Script Recorder feature, IT teams can quickly update test cases to incorporate new functionalities or address emerging requirements. This capability ensures that healthcare systems remain compliant and reliable while minimizing the risk of human error during test case creation. 

By integrating Login Enterprise’s tools into lifecycle workflows, healthcare organizations can detect and resolve performance issues before they impact patient care. The automation capabilities also reduce the time and effort required for testing, allowing teams to focus on innovation and optimization. 

Login Enterprise offers invaluable support for healthcare IT organizations. From facilitating the development of accurate persona-based workloads to ensuring efficient regression testing, these capabilities, coupled with Login Enterprise’s focus on automation and precision, make it a vital in seamless performance. 

Also – recreating robust user interactions just got easier. See how with our new Script Recorder in this 3-minute video! Try Login Enterprise for free today and see it yourself.