Unit 11 Computers in
Health Care
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.
2
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.
3
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.
4
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.
5
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.
6
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.
7
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.
8
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.
9
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.
10
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.
11
Computer Uses in
Health Care (continued)
 Maintaining inventories
 Developing spreadsheets
 Communicating through modems
Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
12
Examples of Uses







Admissions clerk
Physician
Pharmacist
Dietician
Laboratory technician
Nurse
Environmental service worker
Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
13
Computer Uses and Issues
 Hand-held portable computer
 Confidentiality
 Contingency backup plan essential
Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
14
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.
15
Computer Applications for
Diagnostics (continued)
 Positron emission tomography (PET)
 Ultrasonography
 Oncology
Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
16
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.
17
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.
18
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.
19
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.
20
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.
21
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.
22