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