COMPUTER SYSTEMS

COMPUTER SOFTWARE and SYSTEMS

COMPUTER SOFTWARE – general term applied to the

instructions that direct the computer’s hardware to
perform work.
• TYPES OF SOFTWARE
1. SYSTEM SOFTWARE – “boots up” (starts up and
initializes) the computer system; controls input, output,
and storage; and controls the operations of the
application software.
 Helps speed up the computer processing, expands the
power of the computer by creating cache memory,
reduces the amount of confusion when multiple
programs are running together, cleans up the hard drive
so the storage is managed efficiently.
2. APPLICATION SOFTWARE – includes the
various programs that users require to
perform day to day tasks, process data, play
games, communicate with others or watch
multimedia programs on a computer.
They are programs that support the actual
work of the user.
 COMMON SOFTWARES USEFUL TO NURSES

• Includes admission, discharge, and transfer

(ADT) systems that help with patient tracking,
and medication administration record (MAR)
software.
• Hospital have added charting software that
computerizes at least some parts of the
nursing record.
• Computer based system for laboratory and
radiology orders and results reporting, a
computerized patient acuity system used to
help with nurse staff allocation.
• E-mail system for hospital communications.
COMMON SOFTWARES USEFUL TO NURSES

1. Chat Room
2. Electronic Bulletin Boards – or
discussion boards, or electronic
forums.
3. Listservs – function more likely an
e-mail list than a true discussion
board. A user can respond to an
item by posting a new item.