1. Unit 11 Computers in Health Care

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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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5. 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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6. 11:2 What is a Computer 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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8. 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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10. 11:3 Computer Applications
First used to simplify accounting procedures
Medical and hospital information system (HIS or MIS)
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11. Computer Uses in Health Care
Word processing
Compiling databases
Scheduling
Maintaining financial records
Monitoring patients
Performing diagnostic tests
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12. Computer Uses in Health Care (continued)
Maintaining inventories
Developing spreadsheets
Communicating through modems
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Examples of Uses
Admissions clerk
Physician
Pharmacist
Dietician
Laboratory technician
Nurse
Environmental service worker
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14. Computer Uses and Issues
Hand-held portable computer
Confidentiality
Contingency backup plan essential
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15. 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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16. Computer Applications for Diagnostics (continued)
Positron emission tomography (PET)
Ultrasonography
Oncology
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17. 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
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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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21. 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
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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
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