Unit 11 Computers in Health Care

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 11:1 Introduction Greatest advancement in information processing since invention of printing press Use of computers a necessity in health care Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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 Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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 Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

History of the Computer First computers installed in late 1950s and early 1960s Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) Microchips Sizes of computers Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

11:2 What is a Computer System? Electronic device that is a complete information processing system Hardware Software Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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 Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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 Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Output Devices Output the finished work of the computer Occurs after data has been processed by the CPU Printer Video display Forms of output Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

11:3 Computer Applications First used to simplify accounting procedures Medical and hospital information system (HIS or MIS) Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Computer Uses in Health Care Word processing Compiling databases Scheduling Maintaining financial records Monitoring patients Performing diagnostic tests Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Computer Uses in Health Care (continued) Maintaining inventories Developing spreadsheets Communicating through modems Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Examples of Uses Admissions clerk Physician Pharmacist Dietician Laboratory technician Nurse Environmental service worker Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Computer Uses and Issues Hand-held portable computer Confidentiality Contingency backup plan essential Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Computer Applications for Diagnostics Computer-based diagnostic tests Analyzing blood tests Electrocardiogram (ECG) computerized interpretation systems Computerized tomography (CT) scanner Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Computer Applications for Diagnostics (continued) Positron emission tomography (PET) Ultrasonography Oncology Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Computer Applications for 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 Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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 Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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 Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Searching the Web Must develop a strategy Identify key words Combine key words Vary your search Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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 Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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 Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.