© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Chapter 17 Computer Technology in Health Care.

© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Chapter 17

Computer Technologyin Health Care


17:1 Introduction

• Greatest advancement in information processing since the invention of the printing press

• Computer use a necessity in health care


Uses in Health Care

• Hospital or medical information systems (HIS or MIS)

• Diagnostic testing

• Education of health care personnel

• Basic and applied research: statistical analysis of data


Computer Literacy

• Ability to understand basics of how a computer works and applications used in your field or profession

• Essential to health care professionals

• Comfort in using a computer for job

• Practice and experience in using computers is necessary to develop computer literacy


History of the Computer

• First computers installed in late 1950s and early 1960s

• Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC)

• Microchips

• Sizes of computers


17:2 What is a Computer System?

• Electronic device that is a complete information processing system

• Hardware—machine components

• Software—programs or instructions


Input Devices

• Information is entered into the computer by means of an input device

• Computer keyboard

• Magnetic tape

• Touch screen monitor

• Optical scanner

• Mouse

• Light pen


Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• Processes all information or data entered into the computer

• Acts as the “brains” of the computer

• Internal memory unit

• Arithmetic and logic unit

• Control unit


Output Devices

• Output is the finished work of the computer system

• Occurs after data has been processed by the CPU

• Printer

• Video display

• Forms of output


17:3 Computer Applications

• Word processing

• Compiling databases

• Scheduling

• Maintaining financial records

• Monitoring patients

• Performing diagnostic tests

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Computer Applications(continued)

• Maintaining inventories

• Developing spreadsheets

• Communicating through modems


Examples of Uses

• Health information technician

• Physician

• Pharmacist

• Dietician

• Laboratory technician

• Nurse

• Environmental service worker


Computer Uses and Issues

• Hand-held portable computer

• Confidentiality for strict enforcement

• Contingency backup plan essential


Information Management

• Role of computers in health care – Tracking immense amounts of data

– Storing the data

– Having data easily accessible

– Available in useful format


Database

• Organized information

• Record: collection of related data

• Fields: separate pieces of information

• File: group of records

• See Figure 17-8 in text

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Database(continued)

• Advantages of a database– Easy retrieval of records

– Organized in different ways

– Access separate records at one time

– Changes can be entered quickly

– Generate reports as needed

– Studies can be done

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Database(continued)

• Accuracy is essential when entering data

• Input must be carefully reviewed for errors

• Health care information managers may be required to design and create a database

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Database(continued)

• Computer software enables the user to create error free documents

• Functions of software programs– Design text and documents

– Check spelling and grammar

– Store documents

– Send documents by e-mail, print, fax

– Connect to other computers

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Database(continued)

• Spreadsheets provide – High-speed calculations of numerical data

– Worksheet with intersecting rows and columns

– Basis for billing and accounting programs

– Graphs and charts for statistical use

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Database(continued)

• Commercially integrated systems are available for health care facilities

• Medisoft or Medical Manager programs for medical offices provide coordination of administrative tasks


Computer Applications for Diagnostics

• Computer-based diagnostic tests

• Analyzing blood tests

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) computerized interpretation systems

• Computerized tomography (CT)

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

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Computer Applications for Diagnostics(continued)

• Positron emission tomography (PET)

• Ultrasonography

• Oncology


Computer Applications for Education

• Computer-assisted instruction (CAI)

• Interactive video or computer-assisted video technology

• Internet for distance learning and licensure examinations


Computer Applications for Research

• Available information from the National Library of Medicine database

• Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to prepare and analyze data

• Computer technology research world-wide known as bioinformatics


Computer Applicationsfor Communication

• Networks—computers linked together in health care facilities

• Internet—links computers located around the world

• Electronic mail (e-mail)

• Telemedicine for medical/health care use

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Computer Applicationsfor Communication

(continued)

• E-medicine for contacting physicians

• Telepharmacies speed up the process of dispensing medicines

• Listserve mailing lists for sharing health information


17:4 Using the Internet

• Network of computer users

• Modem—electronic device to send or receive data

• Browser—software to access the internet for information

• Many services and sources available for the health care professional


Search Engines

• Defined as a database of Internet files

• Engines include: search program, index, and retrieval program

• Types of search engines: crawler-based, human-powered, mixed

• Many different search engines available


Searching the Web

• Must develop a strategy

• Identify key words

• Combine key words

• Vary your search

• Use different search engines

• Evaluate the information source

• Identify the source

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Searching the Web(continued)

• Determine the author

• Check for accuracy

• Verify important data

• Looks for signs of quality

• Check for currency

• Health care workers are able to research many topics on the internet; can be an excellent learning tool


Summary

• Computers used as cost-effective and efficient tools

• Enhance quality patient care

• Used for many areas of health care

• Computer technology has had tremendous impact on health care

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Summary(continued)

• Used for health care research

• Internet has opened up a plethora of available information

© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Chapter 17 Computer Technology in Health Care.

Documents

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