COMPUTERS IN HEALTH

BY

GROUP M

SUBMITTED TO
DR. FATIMA UMAR ZAMBUK

CS545: COMPUTER AND SOCIETY

ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA UNIVERSITY, BAUCHI

A TERM PAPER PRESENTED TO DR. FATIMA UMAR ZAMBUK,

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES, IN PARTIAL
FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT OF COMPLETION OF THE
COURSE.

AUGUST, 2021

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 GROUP M STUDENT LIST

S/No. REG. NO. NAME SIGNATURE

1. 16/43324D/1 Suleh Usman

2. 16/43348D/1 Adamu Rashidat Deba

3. 16/43628D/1 Augustine Emmanuel Adukwu
4. 16/43731D/1 Yakubu Bashir Muhammad
5. 16/43875D/1 Idi Maryam Mabas
6. 16/43909D/1 Abdullahi Isyaka Jibrin
7. 16/43920D/1 Ismail Ahmed
8. 16/44069D/1 Hilary Chuks Samson
9. 16/44372DT17/1 Ismaila Abdulrahman

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page .....................................................................................................................................................i

Group M Student List..................................................................................................................................ii
Table of Contents.......................................................................................................................................iii
List of figures..............................................................................................................................................iv
Abstract........................................................................................................................................................v
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................1
Importance of Computer in Health .................................................................................................................2
Doctors and Medical Informatics:........................................................................................................2
Imaging and Medical Equipment:........................................................................................................3
METHODOLOGY......................................................................................................................................6
Components of Computers: Hardware & Software.......................................................................................6
Application of Computers in Health................................................................................................................7
Hospital Information System................................................................................................................7
Data Analysis in Health Medicine........................................................................................................8
Computer Assisted Decision Making (CMD)....................................................................................10
Care Of Critically ill Patients.............................................................................................................10
Computer Assisted Therapy...............................................................................................................10
Medical Imaging.................................................................................................................................11
Other Applications Of Computer.......................................................................................................11
RESULTS..................................................................................................................................................12
Save Space, Time And Money.............................................................................................................12
Perform Better Care...........................................................................................................................13
Advantages of Computers in Health..............................................................................................................14
Disadvantages of Computers in Health.........................................................................................................14
LIMITATIONS..........................................................................................................................................15
Techniques to ease Eyestrain..........................................................................................................................16
SUMMARY...............................................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................18

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 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Computer in Patient's Monitoring................................................................................................3

Figure 2: Computer Aided Surgery (CAS)..................................................................................................5

Figure 3: Computer in Information System.................................................................................................8

Figure 4: Computer in Medical Laboratory.................................................................................................9

Figure 5: Computer in Medical Imaging...................................................................................................11

Figure 6: Tips to help reduce eyestrain while working on the computer..................................................16

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 ABSTRACT

Computers are being increasingly used in health sector. There are different levels of interface of health

and computer technology. The  importance of computer in health and medicine is very speedily growing.

For years, computers in health care served primarily an administrative function. As technology grew

and regulations changed, computers became increasingly common in other parts of medical facilities.

Today,  computers are used everywhere, from patient sides, medical carts, nursing stations,

laboratories, and operating rooms.

This term paper has been written to create computer awareness in health sector and impress upon them

the necessity and benefits of various computer techniques in medicine, health and hospital services.

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 INTRODUCTION

Computers play a key role in almost every sphere of life. They facilitate storage of huge amounts of

data, they enable speedy processing of information and they possess an inbuilt intelligence. Owing to

these unique capabilities, computers function on levels close to that of a human brain. Computers can

hence be employed in a wide variety of fields like engineering, data processing and storage, planning

and scheduling, networking, education as well as health and medicine. Computers are the excellent

means for storage of patient related data. Big hospitals employ computer systems to maintain patient

records. It is often necessary to maintain detailed records of the medical history of patients.

Doctors often require the information about a patient’s family history, physical ailments, already

diagnosed diseases and prescribed medicines. This information can be effectively stored in a computer

database. Computers can keep track of prescriptions and billing information. They can be used to store

the information about the medicines prescribed to a patient as well as those, which cannot be prescribed

to him/her. Computers enable an efficient storage of huge amounts of medical data. Medicine comprises

vast base of knowledge. Computer storage can serve as the best means of housing this information.

Medical journals, research and diagnosis papers, important medical documents and reference books can

best be stored in an electronic format.

Many of the modern-day medical equipment have small, programmed computers. Many of the medical

appliances of today work on pre-programmed instructions. The circuitry and logic in most of the

medical equipment is basically a computer. The functioning of hospital-bed beeping systems, emergency

alarm systems, X-ray machines and several such medical appliances is based on computer logic.

Computer software is used for diagnosis of diseases. It can be used for the examination of internal

organs of the body. Advanced computer-based systems are used to examine delicate organs of the body.

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Some of the complex surgeries can be performed with the aid of computers. The different types of

monitoring equipment in hospitals are often based on computer programming.

Medical imaging is a vast field that deals with the techniques to create images of the human body for

medical purposes. Many of the modern methods of scanning and imaging are largely based on the

computer technology. We have been able to implement many of the advanced medical imaging

techniques, thanks to the developments in computer science. Magnetic resonance imaging employs

computer software.

Computed tomography makes use of digital geometry processing techniques to obtain 3-D images.

Sophisticated computers and infrared cameras are used for obtaining high-resolution images. Computers

are widely used for the generation of 3-D images in medicine.

Computer networking enables quicker communication. Computers and Internet have proved to be a

boon in all the spheres of life. In the field of health, computers allow for faster communication between

a patient and a doctor. Doctors can collaborate better over the Internet. Today, it is possible to obtain

experts’ opinions within seconds by means of the Internet. Medical professionals sitting on opposite

sides of the globe can communicate within minutes by means of the Internet. It is due to computer

networking technology that network communication has become easy. Health practitioners can discuss

medical issues in medical forums. They can exchange images and messages in seconds and derive

conclusions speedily. They can seek advice and share knowledge in a convenient manner over the

Internet.

Importance of Computer in Health and Medicine

 Doctors and Medical Informatics:

By examining patients, doctors and nurses can take notes and prescribe treatments at the point of care.

This eliminates a lot of potential mistakes from staff trying to read the handwriting or recall the situation

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later. It also adds efficiency because doctors and nurses can enter pertinent information on the spot.

RFID wristband printers and QR codes, allow rapid identification of patients anywhere in the institution.

 Imaging and Medical Equipment:

Medical computers are often used to control medical devices that perform CT scans, ultrasounds, MRIs,

or blood tests. They can even be incorporated into the equipment itself, saving space. Also, doctors and

nurses can show patients their X-rays and other images or videos to explain their condition and

treatment.

 Patient Monitoring:

In hospitals, lives can be saved by monitoring the machine. Computers can now monitor laboratory

equipment, blood pressure monitors, heart rate monitors, and other important medical equipment, as

well as notify staff if something is wrong. In some cases, computers can assist physicians with

procedures, making situations safer and more convenient for both patients and staff. While the

computerized equipment monitors a patient, it also collects the data constantly so that it can be accessed

in the future if necessary.

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 Figure 1: Computer in Patient's Monitoring

 Investigation:

Computers in the healthcare field have greatly increased the amount of knowledge that medical

personnel can access. Doctors can consult medical databases for more information on a specific disease

or a treatment plan. Computers can run simulations to try to find causes and cures for disease and work

with other machines to increase the chances of success.

 Medical Informatics of Communication and Telemedicine:

Health workers lead hectic lives. Using computers to communicate adds efficiency and simplicity to

your jobs. Instead of taking messages or leaving notes, they can chat in real-time, so important

information is communicated when needed.

Telemedicine is an option available now that it wasn’t previously. Doctors can communicate via

computers and smartphones with colleagues around the world, and patients in rural areas can receive a

diagnosis without having to go to a hospital. In the case of disaster areas, telemedicine can greatly

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improve care when it would not otherwise be available, such as during the Haiti earthquake or in war

zones.

 Inventory:

Knowing what drugs are in stock is crucial to treating the patient. Therefore, keeping updated inventory

lists are very important. If a doctor prescribes something that is not in stock without knowing it, it could

delay recovery. Instead, using a computer to track inventory would alert staff immediately when

something is wrong so they can change their treatment plan if necessary.

Many drugs are highly regulated and must be carefully tracked to make sure they are not being abused

or incorrectly prescribed. Computers can record inventory and keep track of the history of a given drug,

then withdraw it if necessary, eliminating human error.

 Computers Made for Health:

In addition to all these benefits, computers still have to be specially designed for use in healthcare

facilities. Medical certifications, antibacterial enclosures, and easily cleanable devices are imperatives

for hygiene and safety in these organizations. Just putting a consumer-grade computer without these

features in a hospital could ultimately cause more problems than it could help.

Medical computers manage patients’ information and allow functions like writing & tracking

prescriptions, managing patient billing and tracking all aspects of a patient’s medical care.  Medical

computers are improving the lives of many, and in this article we discuss in depth how they are

revolutionizing the healthcare industry.

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Figure 2: Computer Aided Surgery (CAS)

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 METHODOLOGY

This section discuss the methodology applies in this research in order to achieve the objectives of the

study. Exploratory method was applied throughout the study. It is started with an overview of the

research framework, the different application of computers in health sector and finally discuss the

techniques that will be apply for the evaluation of this research work.

Computers are becoming increasingly popular every passing day amongst a wide section of people.

With the advent of microcomputers in late seventies and their subsequent performance enhancement in

eighties, computers have reached our homes. Computers have undoubtedly revolutionized our whole life

style. Computer techniques have tremendous applications in medical field, where it has the largest

amount of social impact. Computers are playing an important role in the running of large hospitals.

Computer facilities are now regarded as integral to much diagnostic equipment. Major uses of

computers in medicine include hospital information system, data analysis in medicine, medical imaging

laboratory computing, computer assisted medical decision making, care of critically ill patients,

computer assisted therapy and so on.

The word computer comes from the word “compute”, which means to calculate. Computer can be

defined as an electronic device that is designed to automatically accept data, store and process then

producing output results. Computers are used to store and process large amount of data and provide

information to the user and to perform large number of calculations rapidly and accurately. Charles

Babbage is considered to be father of modern computer (Malni AK & Bhatnagar P., 1991).

Components of computers: Hardware, Software

Hardware is the term given to the physical components of the computer system. Hardware is basically

divided into three units:

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Input device: Input devices convert the data to be processed into a format acceptable to the computer.

The data is then passed on to the central processing unit of the computer. The input devices include

punch cards, magnetic tapes, key board and so on.

The central processing unit (CPU): The CPU is the brain of the computer. All major calculations and

comparisons are made here. It has three constituents, the memory units, the control unit and the

arithmetical logic unit.

The output devices: The output devices accept the result produced by CPU and supply the results to

users. Printers and visual display units are the popular output devices of computers.

Software are the set of programs that control the activity of processing by the computer. There are two

types of software, system software and application software. System software are collection of programs

which allow the user to interact with the computer hardware, e.g. operating system like DOS, UNIX and

compilers like C, FORTRAN, COBOL and BASIC. Application software consists of programs which

perform special functions for the user such as word processing, data processing and spreadsheet

programs.

Application of Computers in Health

The application of computer techniques in various fields of health sector is briefly discussed below:

Hospital information system

Medical informatics is a rapidly growing discipline. It seeks to organize and manage information in

support of patient care, biomedical research and education through the aid of computer and information

networks (Formica PE & Scott WC., 2010). A computerized hospital information system can establish

consistent standards in the transmission and storage of data and continuously monitor all transactions. It

provides easy access to valuable patient care information. The physicians can have direct access to all

the information of his/her patient through the use of computer. A hospital information system generally

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covers areas like registration, admission/transfer/discharge, billing, medical record, index, wards,

operation theater scheduling, stores/inventory, pharmacy, diet, bio-medical maintenance, payroll,

accounts, etc.

To date, several software vendors have developed hospital systems relating to managing hospitals (Lele

RD, 2009). Generally, hospital administrators prefer to buy ready-made package and customize the same

to suit their needs.

Figure 3: Computer in Information System

Data Analysis in Health Medicine

In medical research large number of data is collected. This data is to be compiled, analyzed and

interpreted. For this purpose, certain statistical methods are to be applied, these include calculation of

standard deviation, standard error, application of tests of statistical significance like Z Test, unpaired and

paired t test and chi-square test. Statistical methods are time consuming. With the help of computer,

large number of statistical calculations can be performed in a very short time.

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Several good quality statistical packages are available, which allow the use of many more methods than

is practical using traditional paper calculations (Brown RA & Swanson BJ, 2012). These statistical

packages include the following:

The biomedical computer package (BMD): This was the first package developed and provides a

standard set of advanced statistical programs.

Statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS): It is used for wide range of medical problems.

Many statistical options are available in SPSS varying from simple statistics to multivariant analysis.

Genstat: This is a powerful package with special emphasis on analysis of variance.

Epi-Info: This package is developed by WHO for epidemiological studies. This package has word

processing, data analysis and graphical abilities. Questionnaire can be made directly by text editor. Data

analysis is very simple and serves the need of most of investigators. The program is made available by

WHO and CDC (Centre for Disease Control) and are not copyrighted. Making copies for others is

permitted and encouraged.

Medical Laboratory Computing

The primary objective

of a clinical laboratory

is to provide accurate results in

short time. Laboratory

analysis includes blood

chemistry,

photometry,

microbiology, etc. Results

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must match with patient identification details and should be valid. Quick access to laboratory system can

contribute to efficient patient care system.

Computer Assisted Decision making (CMD)

It is an interactive Figure 4: Computer in Medical Laboratory

computer system

that directly assists doctors with clinical decision making task. The system is intended to support

doctors, complementing their natural abilities to make judgment with computer's vast memory,

reliability and processing capabilities. A general model of computer assisted medical decision making

has been developed (Reggia J. & Nua D., 2013).

Care of critically ill patients

Critically ill patients require large number of therapeutic interventions to optimize their chances of

survival. For this, the variables must be collected frequently and the data derived therefrom made

available to the clinicians and nursing staff. This results in a large quantity of information, which may

loose its significance unless the data recorded is presented in a clear manner. In the intensive care unit it

is now possible to computerize the total management of data recorded on the patients. Data management

includes the entry, integration and reporting of all vital signs, medications, intake and output volumes

and laboratory values.

Closed loop system for the direct computer control of the infusions of vasodilator has been developed

(Hammard J. & Kirkendall WM, 2014). An intra-arterial cannula connected to a suitable cardiovascular
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monitor provides the input signal to the computer. A pump which infuses the vasodilator drug to the

patient is controlled by computer to maintain the arterial pressure within predetermined units.

Computer assisted therapy

Methods for planning, monitoring and adjusting dosages regimens of powerful and potentially toxic

drugs, e.g. digitalis and antibiotics like gentamicin have been developed. The physician can plan dosage

regimens by selecting a target peak total body concentration of a drug.

Medical imaging

During last decade computers were commonly used for high resolution image generation. Dedicated

hardware and software is required to generate such images in CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, and gamma

cameras. It is possible to integrate these workstations to the main hospital information system. Three

dimensional images of living human anatomy, regional physiology and biochemistry in health and

diseases are in use.

Figure 5: Computer in Medical Imaging

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Other applications of computer

In addition, computers are being used in primary health care, psychiatry, physiological measurements,

medical education, literature search, and as an aid to the handicapped.

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 RESULTS

Save Space, Time and Money

Before medical computers and information technology, all files were kept on paper and filed in folders.

This old way of storing information resulted in disorganization as well as duplication of efforts among

physicians and even problems with mixing medications. With medical computers, medical staff in

administration departments can quickly and easily access information for many purposes. So much

information and usage is simplified by this technology, eliminating the need for additional support and

by allowing more work to be done by fewer people.

A medical computer in administrative and financial settings of healthcare facilities provides accounting

systems, such as patient billing, personnel and payroll, and materials management. Administration can

easily keep track of the payroll system and other financial accounts.

Computers have a large capacity of memory. Not only do doctors and employees need information about

patients, but also information required to treat patients. Computers keep records of all this important

information.

With so many patients and their information, records and files would occupy too much space.

Computers allow people in the medical field to store information without using a lot of area. Medical

history, family history, current health status, and more can be easily accessed and looked up within

minutes.

Patients’ prescribed medications can also be stored in a computer system in a hospital. This makes it

much easier to transfer any prescriptions and data that a patient needs to local hospitals or pharmacies.

Past hospital visits and billing information can be stored and kept for further use or future hospital

experience. For example, doctors track the medications they prescribe. They can use the computer to

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find out what medications the patient may be allergic to. Doctors can also quickly check which

medications interfere with another. Important information is all in a compact form and quickly accessed.

Perform Better Care

Computers connect people in the medical field and permit them to share findings that may be useful.

Extensive research has been done and it is important that medical professionals have easy access to this

research so they are up-to-date on the latest and best care. Medical computers allow connection to all

research and data available.

A medical computer provides easy ordering of drugs, lab tests, and procedures. It can also serve many

other purposes, such as obtaining electronic health records. It is very important for healthcare providers

to have access to patient records and past treatments in order to make accurate diagnoses. Doctors can

quickly sign prescriptions and other important documents. The patient can go up to the pharmacy and

the prescription is ready to go.

A medical computer can also provide diagnostic image archiving and lab results. A doctor can easily

access photos from x-rays to make a swift and accurate diagnosis.  A medical computer is also very

useful when it comes to prescription drug fulfillment, transcriptions, and alerts that help in error

avoidance. Medical computers also help in the monitoring of patients in intensive care units. Providing

immediate care in critical moments can make a difference between life and death.

There are now medical computers that have medical grade antimicrobial coating to minimize the spread

of pathogens. Designs are coming that allow thorough cleaning to avoid contamination due to dust, dirt,

blood and body fluids. Medical computers can be certified for near-patient use to ensure safety. The

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises healthcare facilities to use liquid cleaners to

disinfect sensitive medical equipment. Companies have created special computers and tablets that can

withstand the use of cleaning products, thus providing equipment that won’t fail and a healthier

environment that abides by CDC guidelines.

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16
 ADVANTAGES OF COMPUTERS IN HEALTH

 Computers are mostly used in every organization. Computer plays different roles in different

fields now a day’s no field is evolving without the role of computers.

 Computers become a reliable product in every hospital due to its effective and efficient

performance. From open heart surgery to X-Ray’s everything is made possible so easily only

through computers.

 Apart from administration purposes computers are used in performing surgeries. Laparascopic

surgeries is said to be the most common surgery which can be done only through the help of

computers. The medical experts insert the medical tools and other small equipments attached

with cameras into the patient’s body.

 High-tech surgery tools and instruments embedded with cameras are used in surgical process.

The operations done by the medical experts are completely recorded by the computers for future

references and also to avoid complications.

 Computers make their role perfect in all types of clinical image processing like CT scan X-rays

and more accurately.

 The Heart rate, pulse rate, brain readings and other specifications are monitored and recorded

continuously through computers and finally the medical expert analyze the computer record and

provide treatment for the affected person.

 Always up to date

DISADVANTAGES OF COMPUTERS IN HEALTH

 Cost

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 o One of the biggest drawbacks of adding computers to hospitals is the cost. Computers cost

money, and a large hospital needs many computers to keep the system running smoothly.

o Creating a network to transfer medical records or keep track of billing is an additional initial

cost. Unlike paper records, which simply require a few more copies, electronic record keeping

requires constant upkeep of computers, computer software and other electronic elements, which

can cost even more.

 Lack of Standardization

From a hospital point of view, one of the biggest disadvantages of adding computers and electronic

records to a hospital is the lack of standardization through the medical field. Different hospitals use

different shorthand abbreviations or symbols on medical records than others. Even the codes called out

during emergencies don't always mean the same thing in every hospital. If a medical record is

transferred from another hospital or the system becomes open so hospitals can share information, the

lack of standardization in hospital notes and records could cause problems when it comes to a medical

professional's understanding of the medical record.

LIMITATIONS

Although computers can store and retrieve large amount of data and perform complicated analysis in

very short period, their major limitation is that they lack decision making power and are not sensitive

like human brain. Data entry is major hindrance for using computers by medical professional.

Computer virus is a generic term used to describe any of a group of willfully destructive computer

programs. Viruses can multiply with repeated use of a program and can be transmitted with executable

programs. They can destroy program files, data files or erase all data from hard disk. Commonly found

viruses in our country are Joshi, Michael Angelo, DirII, India etc. There are antivirus programs available

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to remove a virus from a file. Due to newer introduction of viruses it is difficult to completely eradicate

viruses. Some of antivirus programs are Scan, CPAV (Central Point Anti Virus), and Norton anti virus.

Computer Addiction: Computers can provide hours of entertainment and enjoyment. Some computer

users, however, become obsessed with the computer and the Internet. Computer addiction is a growing

health problem. Computer addiction occurs when the computer consumes someone’s entire social life.

Internet addiction disorder (IAD) describes the condition attributed to users who are dependent

on or abusing the Internet. Symptoms of a user with a computer addiction include the following:

• Craves computer time

• Overjoyed when at the computer

• Unable to stop computer activity

• Irritable when not at the computer

• Neglects family and friends

• Problems at work or school

Computer addiction is a treatable illness through therapy and support groups.

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 TECHNIQUES TO EASE EYESTRAIN

Figure 6: Tips to help reduce eyestrain while working on the computer.

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 SUMMARY

Computers in Health save a lot of space, time and money. The ability to access drug-related information

and patients’ allergy information at the same time helps doctors and pharmacists to avoid prescribing

and issuing medicine to patients that may cause them harm, thus saving costly healthcare expenditures in

treating unwanted drug interactions. Instant availability on patient and drug, disease and treatment

information results in fewer cases of misdiagnosis, quicker and safer drug prescriptions and a reduction

in medical malpractice lawsuits.

Computer Assisted Surgeries, or CAS, is a field which combines the expertise in medicine with

technology to create a fast, effective, and accurate surgical procedure. Also in CAS, a model of the

patient is created then analyzed for surgery. The surgery is then tested on the virtual patient. The surgery

can be performed by a robot programmed by a medical professional or they can assist a doctor during an

ACTUAL surgery.

Medical computers help the healthcare professionals to perform better care, enabling them to share data

and streamline processes. Digital charts are displayed with up-to-date patient information in real time,

complete with decision-support tools. Doctors can quickly look up patients’ medical history and access

the most up-to-date research, making the most accurate diagnosis possible. The valuable tools of

a medical computer make all these processes much more effective, thus revolutionizing the healthcare

industry in many spectrums.

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