Computers in Health Care S.M.ZEESHAN Institute of Medical Technology
Jun 24, 2015
Computers inHealth Care
S.M.ZEESHANInstitute of Medical
Technology
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11:1 Introduction
Greatest advancement in information processing since invention of printing press
Use of computers a necessity in health care
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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
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Computer Literacy
Ability to understand basics of how a computer works and applications used in your field or profession
Essential to every health care professional Comfort in using a computer for job needs Practice and experience in using
computers is necessary to develop computer literacy
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History of the Computer
First computers installed in late 1950s and early 1960s
Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC)
Microchips Sizes of computers
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11:2 What is aComputer System?
Electronic device that is a complete information processing system
Hardware Software
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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
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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
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Output Devices
Output the finished work of the computer Occurs after data has been processed by
the CPU Printer Video display Forms of output
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Computer Applications
First used to simplify accounting procedures
Medical and hospital information system (HIS or MIS)
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Computer Uses in
Health Care (Medical Technology) Word processing Compiling databases Scheduling Maintaining financial records Monitoring patients Performing diagnostic tests
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Computer Uses inHealth Care (Medical Technology)
Maintaining inventories Developing spreadsheets CAT Ultrasound MRI ENDOSCOPY Pacemaker Photoshop CS2 Nuclear magnetic
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Examples of Uses
Admissions clerk Physician Pharmacist Dietician Medical Technologist Laboratory technician Nurse Environmental service worker
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Computer Uses and Issues
Hand-held portable computer Confidentiality Contingency backup plan essential
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Computer Applications for Diagnostics
Computer-based diagnostic tests Analyzing blood tests Electrocardiogram (ECG) computerized
interpretation systems Computerized tomography (CT) scanner Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
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Computer Applications forDiagnostics (continued)
Positron emission tomography (PET) Ultrasonography Oncology
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Computer Applicationsfor Education
Commonplace as an educational tool Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) Interactive video or
computer-assisted video Computer applications for research Research using computer technology Clinical researchers
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11:4 Using the Internet
Network of computer users Modem attached to computer,
telephone line, or cable lines and specialized software
Readily connects to others Many services and sources available Major use in health care relates to
organ transplants
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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
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Searching the Web
Must develop a strategy Identify key words Combine key words Vary your search
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Searching the Web(continued)
Evaluate the source of all information– Not all data is accurate or current– Check source of information – Check the credentials of the author– Note the date of publication– Evaluate references if listed
Health care workers can research many topics; can be an excellent learning tool
Contingency Plans Whenever humans depend on machines,
contingency plans need to be made just in case the machine stops functioning.
Computer downtime may be scheduled or unexpected.
Medical facilities must have manual methods available to accomplish all of the tasks a computer does.
Examples: patient admissions, bed assignments, medical records, ordering, scheduling, etc.
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Computers Can Be Our Friends They can make our jobs
simpler. Examples:
– Data analysis
– Presentation of information
– Internet
– Databases
– Appointment scheduling (coordinate multiple appts, auto reminders)
– Patient monitoring
– Medical claims
Paperless records (pharmacy, lab results, radiology)Information at our fingertips (electronic medical records)Email systemsOff site/telemedicinePayroll, employee infoCommunicationCreate documents (word processing, spreadsheets)
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Ethics and Confidentiality
The health care worker must remember the importance of ethics and confidentiality when using a computer.
Computers contain privileged information that must be protected.
Keep your identifications codes and passwords confidential to protect you and the patient.
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Communication
Email (Electronic Mail)– A means of creating and sending messages from one
computer to another using a system of networks.– Now a standard professional communication tool.– Can attach documents and files.– It is essential that email messages be clear and
accurate. – Keep messages brief and to the point.– No personal email correspondence - employers have
the right to read and monitor any messages sent through their computers.
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Telemedicine
Medicine is practiced over telephone lines. Images, such as x-rays can be transmitted. Benefits:
– Allows patient access to specialists located far away.– Communicate vital signs from home to a facility.– Perform physical exams from a distance.– Link physicians to emergency medical workers in the
field.– Technology is advancing more quickly than society.
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Telepharmacies
Allow dispensing of drugs at sites other than pharmacies.
Instructions for prescriptions are sent to a computerized dispensing unit over telephone lines.
The dispensing unit prepares and releases the exact dosage.
Safety features are built into the system to prevent incorrect types and amounts of drugs from being dispensed.
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Virtual Communities Individuals who use the Internet to communicate and
share information. Discussion groups and methods for exchanging
information can be very valuable. Health care workers and patients can share
information and experiences about specific health conditions.
Examples:– Chat rooms – correspond in real time.– Listserves – receiving a newsletter/info on specific
topics.
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Internet
Began as a method for government authorities to communicate in case of a nuclear attack.
Has rapidly grown to become a principal means of communicating, conducting business, shopping, learning, and securing needed information.
Medical uses for the Internet:– Organ transplant databases.– Research and information.– Patient education.
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Summary
Computers are an essential part of health care and also a necessity.
All health care services have gained a greater ability to treat, diagnose, and care for patients through computerization.
Every health care worker should have basic computer literacy.
Bottom line – computers DO enhance the quality of patient care!!!
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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 field