Chapter 7: Technology and Written Communication

Vocabulary Review
1. Jane must do a system backup each evening to copy and archive computer data that could be
used if a compromise occurs.
2. Dr. Jones uses the EMR (Electronic Medical Record) to find information on a patient’s
visit to a specialist and to the emergency department at the local hospital.
3. Sally must install a new version of the firewall, which will act as filter between the network
and the Internet.
4. Employees are not allowed onto social media sites during work hours, and the computers
may not allow employees to access these Internet sites.
5. The receptionist uses a privacy filter or privacy screen on his monitor to prevent
unauthorized people from viewing information on the monitor.
6. Dr. Black uses her tablet that has point of care apps and tools when she is working with
patients.
7. The office employees use practice management software for scheduling, billing and
accounting tasks.
8. The providers use e-prescribing to send prescriptions from the electronic health record
(EHR) to pharmacies.
9. Computer hardware and software that perform data analysis, storage, and archiving are called
a (n) data server.
10. The computer process of changing encrypted text to readable or plain text after a user enters a
secret key or password is called decryption.
11. The system in the medical facility that links personal computers with peripheral devices to
share information and resources is called a (n) computer network.
12. Audit trails are used to monitor user’s activity within software, including additions,
deletions, and viewing of electronic records.
13. The communication system for connecting several computers together so that information can
be shared is called a (n) Ethernet.
14. The operating system acts like the computer’s software administrator, whereas the utility
software helps the computer to function and includes file managers and screensavers.
15. Antimalware software is used to protect computers against viruses.
Skills and Concepts
Part I: Matching Exercises
1. E Approximately 1 billion bytes a. Terabyte
2. A Approximately 1 trillion bytes b. Kilobyte
3. B 1024 bytes c. Megabyte
4. D Character (e.g.. number, letter) d. Byte
5. C Approximately 1 million bytes e. Gigabyte
Part II: Input, Output and Storage Devices
1. Mouse Input Output Storage
2. Keyboard Input Output Storage
3. Printer Input Output Storage
 4. Scanner Input Output Storage
5. Jump drive Input Output Storage
6. Touchpad Input Output Storage
7. Blu-ray disk Input Output Storage
8. Touch screen Input Output Storage
9. Webcam Input Output Storage
10. Signature pad Input Output Storage
11. Monitor Input Output Storage
Part III: Internal Parts of the Computer
1. Responsible for interpreting and executing commands from the software; also called the “brains”
of the computer CPU
2. Platform where all the internal computer parts are attached Motherboard
3. Memory used when the computer boots up ROM
4. Contains instruction for opening programs; computer scans this memory first to see if data exist
there before looking elsewhere Cache Memory
5. Working memory that is required for the computer to operate; holds data that are currently being
used and empties when the power is turned off RAM
6. Device that reads and writes on a hard disk HDD
7. More expensive, but faster and more reliable than an HDD SSD’s
8. Can read or read and save data on CDs, DVDs and BDs Optical Drive
9. Allows the audio information to be sent to headphones or speakers Sound Card
10. Allows graphical information to be sent to the monitor or the projector (provide all three names)
video card, graphic card or video adapter
Part IV: Secondary Storage Devices
1. Secondary storage devices
A storage device that is capable of permanently storing data until deleted or replaced by the
user.
2. Magnetic storage devices
A storage device that depends on the use of a magnetic platters in order to read and write
data on a hard disk.
3. Optical storage devices
A storage device that depends on a low power laser to read and write data on optical disks.
4. Flash storage devices
A storage device that depends on a electronic computer memory that can electrically read
and write on these individual cells.
5. Cloud storage
A storage device that is not physical and depends on dedicated servers with dedicated
memory that you can wirelessly read and write on through an access device.
Part V: Short Answer
1. Describe three ways to protect the computer and all peripheral devices from damage.
a. Located on a stable surface away from heat source and liquids
b. Ventilation
c. Slots should be cleared
2. Describe what to do if liquids spill on the keyboard
Let the keyboard dry out over night
3. Explain how to clean the casing of a printer or other hardware device.
Turn off the computer and unplug it, use a damp lint free cloth to wipe the hardware's
casing do not spray liquids directly on screen
4. Discuss how to clean a non-glare or antiglare screen on a monitor
Use a disinfectant or non-lint gathering towel
5. Describe why it is important to disinfect keyboards in a medical facility
It’s important to disinfect keyboard before and after use when possible due to issues arising
from the constant contact of an unsanitary as a bunch of colleagues use the peripherals as
well, leading to spreading something to other colleagues.
6. Discuss how to handle CDs, DVDs and BDs.
Grasp the discs by their edges and the center and keep them stored in cases.
7. For an ergonomically correct workstation, describe how the chair must fit the user
The chair must support your natural curvature of your back and should have your feet
resting on the floor and your torso and neck should be vertical while your forearms and
elbow should be supported by the armrests.
8. Explain the position of the monitor in an ergonomically correct workstation.
The ergonomically position of a monitor is the eye level should be on or slightly below the
top of the monitor
9. Discuss the advantages of using an ergonomic keyboard.
Due to the fact that an ergonomic keyboard allows the user to maintain a natural hand
position which reduces the potential of repetitive-stress injuries. Which can lead to
prevailing conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
10. Differentiate between system software and application software
The difference between the system software and application software is the fact that the
system software is the administrator software that dictates and manages application
software and being in the background at all times, while the application software is used for
specific tasks.
11. Differentiate between electronic medical records (EMRs) and practice management software.
Database software allows the user to work w/large amounts of data stored in the program.
EMR software contains limited info usually related to medical treatment for one healthcare
facility
12. Explain the importance of computer network security and data backup activities performed in the
medical office.
Electronic software is becoming more important in today’s society as we store vast
quantities of confidential and personal info in computer files. Back up is a process in which
the network files are copied and the copy is stored in a secure off-site location
13. Discuss advances in technology that affect the medical office.
Advances in technology has affected the medical offices with more ways to incorporate
technology in order to make the use of medical offices more inclined upon the rights of the
patients and help medical professional work more efficiently.
14. Discuss applications of electronic technology in the medical office.
The advances such as the replacement of sign in sheets with sign in kiosk incorporates more
confidentiality , the use of wristbands with codes leads to the input of information being
more efficient with the scanning of a patient’s wristbands with the tests or medications. E-
 prescribing leading to more responsibility on the doctor when prescribing medication in
order to stop fraudulent prescribing.
Case Study
Brooke Comis works for Dr. Tomms as a clinical medical assistant. She is a former office
computer specialist who worked in the computer field for 12 years before she entered medical
assisting school. She change career fields because she always wanted to work in healthcare and liked
working with people. Unfortunately, she is the only person in the office who is knowledgeable about
computers, the Internet and networking. Whenever a computer is not functioning correctly or a
problem occurs with the network, Dr. Tomms ask Brooke to fix it. When he decided to buy a new
computer, he expected Brooke to assembled all of them and set up a new network. Brooke gets more
and more irritated each time she is asked to perform these duties because she is not compensated
other than her normal hourly pay. She knows that if Dr. Tomms paid someone to do this work, it
would cost him more than her normal hourly pay. Brooke is not certain how to handle this situation.
What should she do first? How should she approach the physician? Should she refuse to perform
computer work? What could happen if she refuses?
Brooke should talk to Dr. Tomms about a raise or being hired as a technological specialists, due
to the fact that setting up a computer network is not part of her job description. Knowing that
Dr. Tomms would pay someone if she didn’t how to do it. Due to the work not being in the job
description she should refuse to perform any computer work until rightfully compensated and
this could lead to many different paths depending on Dr.Tomms personality like compensation
or hiring someone else.
Vocabulary Review
1. A (n) ___ is a word or phrase for a person, place, thing, or idea
2. A (n) ___ is a word or a phrase that shows action or a state of being.
3. A (n) ___ is a phrase without a main clause.
4. A (n) ___ is a word or group of words that describes a noun or pronoun.
5. ___ are words that sound alike.
6. The ___ is usually located in the header of a letter and provides the clinic’s name and address
and may include other contact information.
7. The ___ is the part of the letter that contains the recipient’s name, title, department, agency,
and address.
8. The ___ is the greeting in a letter.
9. Bob is printing a letter and knows that ___ is the most common layout for letters because the
height of the paper is longer than the width.
10. Keith must use ___ software to compress files he is e-mailing.
Skills and Concepts
Part I: Identify the Errors
1. To patients arrived at the same time.
Two patients have arrived at the same time.
2. Zac the receptionist greet the patients when they arrived.
Zac, the receptionist, greets the patients when they arrived
3. My appointment is on August 17th 20XX.
 My appointment is on August 17, 20XX
4. Yesterday, Betsy and Sue work with Dr. Jones.
Yesterday, Betsy and Sue worked with Dr. Jones
5. Marie and me arrived early at the medical office.
Marie and I arrived early to the medical office.
6. Yes I will need your new insurance card.
Yes, I will need your new insurance card
7. Thank you Katie for all your hard work.
Thank you, Katie, for all your hard work
8. The mother father and son arrived late for there appointments.
The mother, father, and son arrived late for their appointments.
9. Wear did the patients go.
Where did the patient go?
10. There parents are talking with the provider.
Their parents are talking with the provider
Part II: Short Answers
1. Describe the paper, margins, and line spacing used in professional letters.
2. What is the purpose of the reference line in a professional letter?
3. How would you compose a greeting for a professional letter to John White?
4. What are two ways a reference notation would be typed if Sally James were typing a ltter
for Dr. Mike Vast?
5. Describe why “c” would be used as a copy notation instead of “cc.” to indicate a copy of
the letter was sent to another person.
6. Name three items that should be on a continuation page.
a. ___
b. ___
c. ___
7. Describe the difference between “closed” and “open” punctuation in a letter.
8. Describe a full block letter format.
9. Describe the similarities and differences between the modified block format and the
semi-block letter format.
10. List the four headings used in memorandums and included the correct punctuation.
a. ___
b. ___
c. ___
d. ___
Part III: Create Professional Letters
1. Use the full block letter format and create the following letter:
Jean Burke, NP, has requested that you compose a letter to Janine Butler (DOB
04/25/1968) and let her know that her mammogram from last Wednesday was
negative. She should make a follow-up appointment in 6 months. If she has any
questions, she should call the office. Janine’s address is: 37 Park West Avenue,
Anytown, AL 12345-1234
2. Use the full block letter format and create the following letter:
 James A. Martin, MD, has requested that you compose a letter to Celia Tapia
(DOB 05/18/1970) and let her know that her Pap test from last Thursday was
negative. She should make a follow-up appointment in 1 year. If she has any
questions, she should call the office. Celia’s address is: 12 Highland Court, Apt
101, Anytown, AL 12345-1234.
3. Use the modified block letter format with the center point variation and create the
following letter:
Julie Walden, MD, has requested that you compose a letter to the mother
(Patricia Jackson) of Aaron Jackson (DOB 10/17/2011) and let her know that
Aaron’s left wrist radiograph was negative. He should continue wearing the wrist
splint for the next 2 weeks. If he is not getting better or if she has questions, she
should call the office. Patricia’s address is: 555 Mc Arthur Avenue, Anytown,
AL 12345-1234
4. Use the semi-block letter format with the right justified variation and create the following
letter:
Jean Burke, NP, has requested that you compose a letter to Ken Thomas (DOB
10//25/1961) and let him know that his urine culture is negative for growth. He
should make a follow-up appointment for 2 weeks from his initial appointment.
If he has any questions, he should call the office. Ken’s address is 398 Larkin
Avenue, Anytown, AL 12345-1234
Part IV: Professional E-mail
1. Create and send an e-mail appointment reminder:
2. Create and send an e-mail appointment reminder:
3. Create and send an e-mail regarding a medication refill:
4. Create and send an e-mail regarding a medication refill:
Case Study
Barbara recently graduated as a medical assistant and obtained employment at a local provider’s
office. She and the office manager have been at odds since Barbara redesigned several forms that had
been in use at the clinic but had been copied over and over again and looked quite unprofessional.
Barbara did not ask permission to redo the forms: she was attempting to help and to make a good
impression. Since that incident, the office manager has given Barbara two written reprimands for
minor issues.
1. What should Barbara do?
2. How could she have prevented this situation from the beginning?
3. Is the office manager at fault?
Internet Activity Options
1. Research the two-letter postal abbreviations for the states. Writes each address provided as it
should appear on an envelope. Use only approved U.S Postal Service standard street
abbreviations and the two-letter postal abbreviation for states.
a. Walden-Martin Family Medical Clinic, 1234 Any Street, Anytown, Alabama 14453
b. John Smith, 383 E. Center, Anytown, Nebraska 13333-2232
c. Sally Black, 39291 S. Parkway, Anytown, Wisconsin 54334-6443
d. Jeff Jones, 454 Boulevard, Anytown, Minnesota 49932-1234
e. Sam House, 599 State Highway, Anytown, Illinois 69532-1651