Nursing Informatics Content

Hello TDCIans! Welcome to this course.
This course deals with Nursing

Informatics
Course overview: At the end of this course, given simulated

conditions/situations, the student will be able to:
1. Apply knowledge of physical, social, natural, and health sciences and
humanities in nursing informatics.
2. Provide safe, appropriate, and holistic care to individuals, families,
population group, and community utilizing the nursing informatics.
3. Practice nursing in accordance with existing laws, legal, ethical, and
moral principles related to nursing informatics.
4. Communicate effectively in speaking, writing, and presenting using age
and culturally appropriate language in nursing informatics.
5. Document client care in nursing informatics accurately and
comprehensively.
6. Work effectively in collaboration with inter-, intra-, and multidisciplinary
and multi-cultural teams in providing nursing informatics.
7. Practice beginning management and leadership skills using systems
approach in nursing informatics.
8. Engage in lifelong learning with a passion to keep current with national
and global development in general, and in nursing informatics in
particular.
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LET’S BEGIN!
UNIT 1: Introduction to Nursing Informatics

Chapter 1: Introduction to Nursing Informatics
Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of the chapter, you are expected to:
1. discuss the importance of nursing informatics;
2. analyze what are the responsibilities as a Nurse Informaticist; and
3. examine how nursing informatics is important to Filipino Nurses.
Introduction
At present, nursing informatics (NI) was one of the lesser known nursing
specialties, even though it's been a recognized specialty for over 30 years.
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)
defines NI as “a specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science,
and information science to manage and communicate data, information,
knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice.”
Please proceed immediately to the “Unlocking of Difficulties” part since
the first lesson is also definition of essential terms.
Unlocking of Difficulties
To attend the following intended learning outcomes for the first lesson
of the course, you need to fully understand the following essential
knowledge that will be laid down in the succeeding pages. Please note that
you are not limited to exclusively refer to these resources. Thus, you are
expected to utilize other books, research articles and other resources that
are available in the library in the internet
Key Terms
 Nursing Informatics – it is the specialty that integrates nursing science
with multiple information and analytical sciences to identify, define,
manage and communicate data, information, knowledge and wisdom in
nursing practice.
 Health Team – it is regardless of whether you're treated at a large
academic institution or a small, rural private practice, is the group of
professionals who contribute to your care and treatment as a patient.
Typical members of a healthcare team are a doctor and a registered
nurse.
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 Specialist – it focuses on a specific area of medicine or a group of patients
to diagnose, manage, prevent or treat certain types of symptoms and
conditions. A non-physician specialist is a provider who has more training
in a specific area of health care.
Lecture Notes
1. What is Nursing Informatics?

 Nursing Informatics or Healthcare informatics or biomedical informatics
is the branch of science and engineering that apply informatics fields to
medicine. The health domain provides an extremely wide variety of
problems that can be tackled using computational techniques.
(Source: https://online.alvernia.edu/program-resources/what-is-nursing-informatics/)
 Nursing informatics can be applied to several areas of nursing practice.

Clinically, informatics involves technologies and solutions like electronic
health records, computer-generated client documentation, automatic
billing and monitoring devices that take measurements and place them
directly into the medical record. In nursing administration, informatics
solutions include automatic staff scheduling, cost analysis,
communication solutions and quality assurance.
2. What’s It Like to Work as a Nurse Informaticist?

 You probably already know that a career in nursing can take you way
beyond the hospital bedside. Your nursing passion can translate into a
variety of job roles, both patient-facing and beyond the bedside.
 One popular, behind-the-scenes role? Nursing informatics. As a nurse
informaticist, you’ll analyze data to improve patient care and help your
healthcare facility implement new patient care technology. Unlike the
one-on-one care of a traditional nursing role, you’ll advocate for
patients by taking steps to improve outcomes and safety in your entire
unit, facility, or even healthcare system.
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 The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS),
a non-profit association that advocates for improvements in healthcare
using technology, describes nurse informaticists as the driving force
behind the development, implementation, and optimization of electronic
medical and health records, nursing clinical documentation, point-of-
care clinical decision support, and computerized practitioner order entry.
(Source: https://www.allnursingschools.com/nursing-informatics/job-description/)
3. Nursing informatics in the Philippines

 The words "nursing informatics" were unfamiliar among the nursing
community until the year 2008. There were only a handful of people with
knowledge and experience in nursing informatics. The discipline has not
yet found its recognition as a sub-specialty of nursing arts and science in
the country.
 The Philippine Medical Informatics Society (PMIS) and its founders had
strong influence in the development of health informatics in the
Philippines. The PMIA was officially registered under the Securities and
Exchange Commission in 1996 by its board composed of eleven
physicians. The organization was headed by Dr. Alvin Marcelo.
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Focus Questions
Instructions: Please submit your answers through Google Classroom. The
document should be in letter size. Use Calibri, 12 pt. 1.15 spacing. On the
upper-left corner of the first page, write your name, grade level, section, and
the date of submission. For uniformity purposes, name your document as
NI_Last Name_U1C1_FQ. Properly cite your references using APA format.
1. In your own words, what comes on your mind when you heard about
“Nursing Informatics” before you enter this subject? (150 words
minimum)
2. In your own words, what is your mindset when you are a nurse then you
work on computers? (150 words minimum)
3. Is Nursing Informatics and Health Informatics different? Why or why not?
(150 words minimum)
Related Readings
 To further read about the history of Nursing Informatics, visit the
following webpages below
- https://www.amia.org/programs/working-groups/nursing-
informatics
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18922268/
Learning Activities
General Instruction: Please submit the document containing your answer for
the following exercises through Google Classroom. Name your file NI_Last
Name_U1C1_Assessment.
Create a PowerPoint Presentation citing at least 15 Nursing Informatics
Pioneers and their achievement. Properly cite your references using APA
format. (75 points)
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Chapter 2: Informatics Nurse Specialist Standards of
Practice
1. discuss the Standards of Practice for Informatics Nurse Specialist;
2. identify the scope and standards development process; and
3. highlight and list the NI standards of practice and professional
performance.
Introduction
Nursing professionals within this specialty are positioned at the
intersection of nursing science, computer science, and information science,
where they are able to “better manage and communicate information, data
and knowledge in the practice of nursing. Nursing informatics specialists
facilitate data integration, information and knowledge so that they provide
better support to patients, nurses and other health care providers” (Nurse
Journal, 2019). One thing on which they spend a lot of their energy is
documentation, because “high quality care is fully dependent upon strong
communication among the wide variety of health care providers. As health
care providers communicate via notes on a chart, a nurse informatics analyst
wants to increase the speed and accuracy of the charting process. This means
that health care workers have better access to patient notes, and can mean
better decisions about care”.
The ANA (American Nurses Association) Scope and Standards of Practice has
listed the major functional areas for informatics nurses, which include:
 Administration, leadership and management – either directly with
clinical informatics departments or in combination with other functional
areas such as serving as project managers.
 Analysis – using data to synthesize knowledge, inform decision support,
and manage outcomes as well as taxonomies.
 Compliance and integrity management - helping make sure
organizations are meeting all the national laws and standards such as
HIPAA, FDA, Joint Commission, etc.
 Consultation - serving both internally or externally as a resource.
Coordination, facilitation, and integration - serving as the translator
between end-users and IT experts.
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 Development - translating user requirements into solutions. Education
and professional development - ranges from teaching the end-user to use
a device or application to educating the next generation of nurses and
the general public.
 Policy development and advocacy - being an advocate for consumers,
hospital units, and the institution as a whole; also helping shape policies
and standards at the state, national and organizational level.
 Research and evaluation - conducting research in a variety of informatics
topics that impacts both caregivers and consumers.
Lecture Notes
Standards of Practice (Nursing Process)
 Standard 1. Assessment - The informatics nurse collects comprehensive
data, information, and emerging evidence.
 Standard 2. Diagnosis, Problems, and Issues Identification - The
informatics nurse collects comprehensive data, information, and
emerging evidence.
 Standard 3. Outcomes Identification - The informatics nurse identifies
expected outcomes for a plan individualized to the healthcare consumer
or the situation.
 Standard 4. Planning - The informatics nurse develops a plan that
prescribes strategies, alternatives, and recommendations to attain
expected outcomes.
 Standard 5. Implementation - The informatics nurse implements the
identified plan.
 Standard 5A. Coordination of Activities - The informatics nurse
coordinates planned activities.
 Standard 5B. Health Teaching and Health Promotion - The informatics
nurse employs informatics solutions and strategies for education and
teaching to promote health and a safe environment.
 Standard 5C. Consultation - The informatics nurse provides consultation
to influence the identified plan, enhance the abilities of others, and effect
change.
 Standard 6. Evaluation - The informatics nurse evaluates progress
toward attainment of outcomes.
 Standard 7. Ethics - The informatics nurse practices ethically.
 Standard 8. Education - The informatics nurse attains knowledge and
competence that reflect current nursing and informatics practice.
 Standard 9. Evidence - Based Practice and Research - The informatics
nurse integrates evidence and research findings into practice.
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 Standard 10. Quality of Practice - The informatics nurse contributes to
quality and effectiveness of nursing and informatics practice. (Includes
certification for informatics nurse specialist)
 Standard 11. Communication - The informatics nurse communicates
effectively in a variety of formats in all areas of practice.
 Standard 12. Leadership - The informatics nurse demonstrates
leadership in the professional practice setting and the profession.
 Standard 13. Collaboration - The informatics nurse collaborates with the
healthcare consumer, family and others in the conduct of nursing and
informatics practice.
 Standard 14. Professional Practice Evaluation - The informatics nurse
evaluates their own nursing practice in relation to professional practice
standards and guidelines, relevant statutes, rules, and regulations.
 Standard 15. Resource Utilization - The informatics nurse employs
appropriate resources to plan and implement nursing informatics and
associated services that are safe, effective, and fiscally responsible.
 Standard 16. Environmental Health - The informatics nurse supports
practice in a safe and healthy environment.
Model of Professional Nursing Practice Regulation
(Source: http://s3.amazonaws.com/rdcms-
himss/files/production/public/FileDownloads/Nursing_Scope%20and%20Standards%20of%20Practice,%2
0Second%20Edition_1417020998703_1.pdf / © 2014 American Nurses Association)
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These documents also serve as the embodiment of the bottom tier of the
pyramid; the highest level of the pyramid—Self Determination—is the key
focus of the ANA Leadership. It is within this model and at this level that the
ANA Leadership has established its work to help the nurse leader prepare
and enhance the leadership qualities, abilities and impact of the nursing
profession for the health of society.
The Nursing Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional

Performance include competencies required of registered nurses. The
Standards of Professional Performance contains ten standards that dovetail
with the ANA Leadership competencies that were selected from the Center
for Creative Leadership’s (CCL®) Competency Library and serve as the
foundation for all courses, programs and offerings.
Scope of Practice Statement Addresses Who, What, When, Where, How,

Why, and Functional Roles
• Clinical nurse – need for informatics competencies addressed
• Informatics Nurse (IN) – experience based
• Informatics Nurse Specialist (INS) – graduate level preparation
• Brief descriptions of diverse functional roles
• Enumeration of NI competencies resources
• Discussion of the nine Code of Ethics provisions
(Source: https://sites.google.com/site/nursingb1g/module-one/nursing-and-
computers)
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Standards of Professional Practice
• Clinical nurse – need for informatics competencies addressed
• Informatics Nurse (IN) – experience based
• Informatics Nurse Specialist (INS) – graduate level preparation
• Brief descriptions of diverse functional roles
• Enumeration of NI competencies resources
• Discussion of the nine Code of Ethics provisions
Focus Questions
1. In your own words, does the standard of practice in Nursing Informatics
helped you as a Registered Nurse in the future? Explain. (150 words
minimum)
2. In your own words, is the Model of Professional Nursing Practice
Regulation helpful in Nursing Informatics? Why or Why Not? (150 words
minimum)
3. In your own words, why is the Standards of Practice needed for Nursing
Informatics? Explain. (150 words minimum)
4. In your own words, why is the Model of Professional Nursing Practice
Regulation needed for Nursing Informatics? Explain. (150 words
minimum)
Related Readings
 To further read about the Model of Professional Nursing Practice
Regulation and the Professional Standards in Nursing Informatics, visit
the following webpages below
- https://laurenewatson.weebly.com/uploads/2/4/5/8/24587065/c
onceptual_model_pres_.pptx
- https://journals.lww.com/nursingmadeincrediblyeasy/fulltext/20
14/09000/The_importance_of_professional_standards.1.aspx
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Learning Activities
Name_Unit1_Assessment.
Create your own standards of practice in the Nursing by giving a sample
situation of the following (5 points):
 Standard 1. Assessment
 Standard 2. Diagnosis, Problems, and Issues Identification
 Standard 3. Outcomes Identification
 Standard 4. Planning
 Standard 5. Implementation
 Standard 5A. Coordination of Activities
 Standard 5B. Health Teaching and Health Promotion
 Standard 5C. Consultation
 Standard 6. Evaluation
 Standard 7. Ethics
 Standard 8. Education
 Standard 9. Evidence
 Standard 10. Quality of Practice
 Standard 11. Communication
 Standard 12. Leadership
 Standard 13. Collaboration
 Standard 14. Professional Practice Evaluation
 Standard 15. Resource Utilization
 Standard 16. Environmental Health
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Chapter 3: Role of Informatics Nurse Specialist
1. discuss the duties and responsibilities of an Informatics Nurse Specialist;
2. identify the skills needed for a Informatics Nurse Specialist; and
3. simulate and assess the work performance of an of an Informatics Nurse
Specialist.
Introduction
An informatics nurse specialist is someone at the forefront of changing
technology in the medical world. Often, they act as liaisons between health
care providers and technology people in order to allow better decisions to
be made based on more accurate data. The paper records systems that have
been used by healthcare providers for more than a century are quickly
coming to an end.
Many informatics nurse specialists are registered nurses, which is key in

understanding the workflow as well as the working environment of the
various care settings. This role is an essential part of healthcare and a major
factor in selecting, implementing, and evaluating health IT that promotes
safe, high quality, patient-centric care. For nurses with an interest in
technology and for improving patient care, becoming an informatics nurse
specialist may be a good career fit.
 Informatics nurse specialist – It is someone at the forefront of changing
technology in the medical world. Often, they act as liaisons between
health care providers and technology people in order to allow better
decisions to be made based on more accurate data. The paper records
systems that have been used by healthcare providers for more than a
century are quickly coming to an end. Many informatics nurse specialists
are registered nurses, which is key in understanding the workflow as well
as the working environment of the various care settings. This role is an
essential part of healthcare and a major factor in selecting,
implementing, and evaluating health IT that promotes safe, high quality,
patient-centric care. For nurses with an interest in technology and for
improving patient care, becoming an informatics nurse specialist may be
a good career fit.
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 Electronic Health Record – It is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart.
EHRs are real-time, patient-centered records that make information
available instantly and securely to authorized users. While an EHR does
contain the medical and treatment histories of patients, an EHR system
is built to go beyond standard clinical data collected in a provider’s office
and can be inclusive of a broader view of a patient’s care.
Lecture Notes
What Role Do Nursing Informatics Specialists Play?
Nursing informatics specialists, also known as nurse informaticists, bring
medical knowledge into the IT realm. It’s a type of nurse skilled in both the
delivery of healthcare and the development and utilization of healthcare
technology. Nurses, with their medical training and hands-on patient
experience, are uniquely suited to work with IT professionals to ensure EHRs
(Electronic Health Records) and other healthcare technology work well in the
real world.
Vital roles of a Nursing Informatics Specialists

 Provides a work list to remind staff of planned nursing interventions
 Electronic medical records and computer based patient record.
 Monitoring devices that record vital signs and other measurement
directly into the client record.
 Computer generated nursing care plan and critical pathway.
 Automatic billing for supplies and procedures or procedures with nursing
documentation.
 Reminders and prompts that appears during documentation to ensure
comprehensive charting.
(Source: https://wp.nurse.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/nursing_informatics.jpg)
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With the increasing amount of healthcare technology and the increasing
complexity of EHRs, nursing informatics specialists can play a number of
important roles, including:
 Managing the transition from paper to digital records.
 Developing information systems based on current evidence-based
standards of care and ensuring systems remain updated.
 Developing EHR interfaces that are conducive to good care while
remaining efficient to use.
 Analyzing EHR data to identify areas where care can be improved and/or
costs better managed.
 Working with policymakers and government agencies to ensure laws and
regulations support healthcare technology and are compatible with
provider and patient technology needs.
 Developing and/or implementing healthcare technologies outside of
EHRs, including patient health monitoring systems, quality tracking
initiative, and home care management systems.
(Source: https://sites.google.com/site/nursingb1g/module-one/nursing-and-computers)
What’s the Career Outlook for Nursing Informatics Specialists?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that the field of medical
records and health information technicians will grow by 13% between 2016
and 2026, a rate that is faster than average. Most nurse informaticists,
however, are at a level above technicians and better described as health
information managers, a category that BLS includes under medical and
health services managers. This managerial category is expected to grow even
faster than the technician category, with employment in the field increasing
20% between 2016 and 2026.
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In addition to being a part of fields experiencing rapid employment growth,
nursing informatics specialists also enjoy excellent salaries. Over half of those
with a certification in nursing informatics average over $100,000 a year.
(Source: https://previews.123rf.com/images/visivasnc/visivasnc1701/visivasnc170100015/70868336-
doctor-and-nurse-use-the-computer-in-medical-office-concept-of-consulting.jpg)
How Can You Become a Nursing Informatics Specialist?

The best way to take your career in nursing into health informatics is to earn
a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a specialization in Nursing
Informatics. Offered by several of the top nursing schools, nurse informatics
MSN programs can help you gain the skills you’ll need to integrate data,
information, and knowledge to support patients, nurses, and other
caregivers in their decision-making in all roles and settings.
Just as health informatics utilizes modern technology, many master’s in
nursing programs now utilize technology too, offering online learning
formats that make earning your master’s degree in nursing more feasible
than ever before. Instead of requiring you to take classes on a campus, online
MSN programs allow you to complete courses from anywhere you have
internet access. Plus, when you earn a master’s in nursing online, you’ll have
the freedom to choose when in the day you attend class, making it possible
for you to continue working full time while enrolled.
If you hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, you’re already qualified to enroll
in most MSN programs online, such as the MSN nursing program offered by
Walden University. Walden also offers an RN to MSN path for nurses who
have not earned a BSN or hold a bachelor’s degree in subjects outside of
nursing. This level of convenience is just one more reason Walden produces
more nurses with advanced degrees than any other university. Nursing
informatics is an increasingly important healthcare career. With a master’s
of science in nursing from an online nursing school, you can make it your
career.
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Salary and Job Growth
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual income of $68,450

for registered nurses in 2016, with the profession expected to grow by 16
percent between 2014 and 2024. Advancement in this career path can be
rewarding—according to a Healthcare Information and Management
Systems Society survey, the median annual salary of qualified nursing
informatics specialists was $93,000 in 2014. The information technology that
nursing informatics specialists implement can provide advanced technical
support that enhances the communication process between patients and
hospital personnel. Strong communication—whether between patient and
caregiver, or amongst a team of medical personnel—is vital to the success of
medical care. By ensuring that information systems are built to utilize
relevant information and provide a user-friendly experience, nursing
informatics specialists can provide medical facilities with a heightened ability
to adapt to change, improving the quality of care and maximizing the ability
to save lives.
(Source: https://www.ecpi.edu/sites/default/files/nurseoncomp.png)
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Skills Needed
Nursing informatics specialists straddle the line that separates medical
professionals and information technology professionals, meaning they must
be adept in a wide range of technical skills to be effective in their line of work.
Some of the most critical skills include the following:
 Computer Skills: Nursing informatics specialists spend a large amount of
time using computers during their careers. Individuals pursuing this
profession need to be competent in performing advanced computational
tasks, such as programming and network infrastructure administration.
 Leadership: Nursing informatics specialists provide high-quality
leadership to ensure that information systems are implemented
correctly. When these individuals use strategic leadership to present to
all nursing team members a vision that incorporates technology, the
medical facilities that they operate within becoming better prepared to
embrace technology as a key component of their practices and policies.
 Teamwork: Managing massive networks requires the cooperation of
many nurses and medical personnel. Communicating with other
individuals is the best way to identify design flaws and technical bugs.
 Attention to Detail: Nursing informatics specialists must be thorough in
their work, paying attention to every aspect of current technology in
order to identify new opportunities to enhance a hospital’s information-
sharing and communication systems. They also need to pay attention to
which team members are struggling to acclimate to new systems and
information technology so they can deliver the appropriate instruction
or guidance.
 Data Analysis: The ability to process and analyze data is extremely
important for nursing informatics specialists, who need to interpret
massive amounts of data and compile useful information that can be
used to improve medical facilities’ information technology
infrastructures.
 Organization: Remaining organized is imperative for nursing informatics
specialists, as they tend to operate independently with the expectation
that they balance a wide range of technical job functions with patient
needs.
 Research: Information is a primary component of a nursing informatics
specialist’s job, thus collecting detailed and accurate data is important.
Staying up to date on the latest research techniques and trends
guarantees that the most valuable data is available.
 Critical Thinking: Applying logic and reason through the critical thinking
process allows nursing informatics specialists to assess their
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circumstances and generate effective solutions to problems in both the
long and short term.
Electronic Health Record (Preview for the next topic)
EHRs are a vital part of health IT and can:

 Contain a patient’s medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment
plans, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory
and test results
 Allow access to evidence-based tools that providers can use to make
decisions about a patient’s care
 Automate and streamline provider workflow
One of the key features of an EHR is that health information can be created
and managed by authorized providers in a digital format capable of being
shared with other providers across more than one health care organization.
EHRs are built to share information with other health care providers and
organizations – such as laboratories, specialists, medical imaging facilities,
pharmacies, emergency facilities, and school and workplace clinics – so they
contain information from all clinicians involved in a patient’s care.
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Focus Questions
1. In the future, if there will be a hiring for the position of the Nursing
Informaticist in a hospital, are you considering that position and why? (150
words minimum)
2. In your own words, do you think that a job of a Nursing Informaticist is a
tough one? Why or Why Not? (150 words minimum)
3. In your own words, is training important for a Nursing Informaticist? Why
or why not? (150 words minimum)
4. In your own words, is it easy to work with computers and patient care?
Why or why not? (150 words minimum)
Related Readings
 To further read about the Nurse Informatics Specialist careers, visit the
- https://healthinformatics.uic.edu/blog/career-spotlight-nurse-
informatics-specialist/
- https://www.nurse.com/blog/2019/09/17/explore-career-nursing-
informatics-good-fit/
- https://www.nurse.com/blog/2019/09/17/explore-career-nursing-
informatics-good-fit/
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Learning Activities
Name_Unit1_Assessment3.
Create at least 8 simulations/situations that describes the work of a Nursing
Informaticist. (40 points)
Follow the format below:
TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING:
- Size must be A4
- Font Style: Times New Roman
- Font Size: 11
- Spacing: 1.5
- Cite references properly
- Your name, instructors name, date itself, and simulation itself must not
be bold
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UNIT 2: Computer Usage for Nurse Informaticists
Chapter 4: Introduction to Software

1. discuss the computer software;
2. explain how the computer software works for nursing informatics; and
3. apply the use of computer software in nursing practice.
Introduction
Computer software is anything that can be stored electronically. The
term is used to contrast with computer hardware (the physical objects);
unlike hardware, software cannot be touched. Hardware and software
require each other and neither has any value without the other. With this,
the nurses will be trained and equipped with knowledge in using computers.
Please proceed immediately to the “Unlocking of Difficulties” part since
the first lesson is also definition of essential terms.
Key Terms:
 Peripherals – it is an auxiliary device used to put information into and get
information out of the computer.
 Input – it is to put (data) into a computer.
 Data – these are the quantities, characters, or symbols on which
operations are performed by a computer, being stored and transmitted
in the form of electrical signals and recorded on magnetic, optical, or
mechanical recording media.
 Output – it is produce, deliver, or supply (data) using a computer or other
device.
 Operating System – it is a system software that manages computer
hardware, software resources, and provides common services for
computer programs.
 Compilers – it is special program that processes statements written in a

particular programming language and turns them into machine language
or "code" that a computer's processor uses.
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Lecture Notes
COMPUTERS
 Computer is an advanced electronic device that takes raw data as an
input from the user and processes it under the control of a set of
instructions (called program), produces a result (output), and saves it for
future use. This tutorial explains the foundational concepts of computer
hardware, software, operating systems, peripherals, etc. along with how
to get the most value and impact from computer technology.
(Source: https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/roundups/03yEDeTzPo1WxOu5QGWq9Zq-
16..1598476026.jpg)
 Today’s world is an information-rich world and it has become a necessity

for everyone to know about computers. A computer is an electronic data
processing device, which accepts and stores data input, processes the
data input, and generates the output in a required format.
Functionalities of a Computer
If we look at it in a very broad sense, any digital computer carries out the
following five functions:
 Step 1 − Takes data as input.
 Step 2 − Stores the data/instructions in its memory and uses them as
required.clinical decision support, and computerized practitioner order
entry.
 Step 3 − Processes the data and converts it into useful information.
 Step 4 − Generates the output.
 Step 5 − Controls all the above four steps.
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(Source: https://www.tutorialspoint.com/computer_fundamentals/computer_overview.htm)
COMPUTER HARWARE
Software and computers cannot work without a Hardware, because it

represents the physical and tangible components of a computer, i.e. the
components that can be seen and touched.
Examples of Hardware are the following:

 Input devices − keyboard, mouse, etc.
 Output devices − printer, monitor, etc.
 Secondary storage devices − Hard disk, CD, DVD, etc.
 Internal components − CPU, motherboard, RAM, etc.
(Source: https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/top-suppliers/computer-hardware-
companies/)
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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HARWARE AND SOFTWARE
 Hardware and software are mutually dependent on each other. Both of
them must work together to make a computer produce a useful output.
 Software cannot be utilized without supporting hardware.
 Hardware without a set of programs to operate upon cannot be utilized
and is useless.
 Internal components − CPU, motherboard, RAM, etc.
 To get a particular job done on the computer, relevant software should
be loaded into the hardware.
 Hardware is a one-time expense.
 Software development is very expensive and is a continuing expense.
 Different software applications can be loaded on a hardware to run
different jobs.
 A software acts as an interface between the user and the hardware.
 If the hardware is the 'heart' of a computer system, then the software is
its 'soul'. Both are complementary to each other.
COMPUTER SOFTWARE
Software is a set of programs, which is designed to perform a well-defined

function. A program is a sequence of instructions written to solve a particular
problem.
There are two types of software:

 System Software
 Application Software
System Software
The system software is a collection of programs designed to operate, control,

and extend the processing capabilities of the computer itself. System
software is generally prepared by the computer manufacturers. These
software products comprise of programs written in low-level languages,
which interact with the hardware at a very basic level. System software
serves as the interface between the hardware and the end users.
Some examples of system software are Operating System, Compilers,

Interpreter, Assemblers, etc.
24
Here is a list of some of the most prominent features of a system software:
 Close to the system
 Fast in speed
 Difficult to design
 Difficult to understand
 Less interactive
 Smaller in size
 Difficult to manipulate
 Generally written in low-level language
SOME EXAMPLES OF SYSTEM SOFTWARES

(Source: https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/top-suppliers/computer-hardware-
companies/)
Application Software
Application software products are designed to satisfy a particular need of a

particular environment. All software applications prepared in the computer
lab can come under the category of Application software.
Application software may consist of a single program, such as Microsoft's

notepad for writing and editing a simple text. It may also consist of a
collection of programs, often called a software package, which work together
to accomplish a task, such as a spreadsheet package.
25
Examples of Application software are the following:
 Electronic Health Records (Important)
 Payroll Software
 Student Record Software
 Inventory Management Software
 Income Tax Software
 Railways Reservation Software
 Microsoft Office Suite Software
 Microsoft Word
 Microsoft Excel
 Microsoft PowerPoint
Features of application software are as follows:

 Close to the user
 Easy to design
 More interactive
 Slow in speed
 Generally written in high-level language
 Easy to understand
 Easy to manipulate and use
 Bigger in size and requires large storage space
SOME EXAMPLES OF APPLICATION SOFTWARES

(Source: https://turbofuture.com/computers/Three-Categories-of-Application-Software)
26
ADVANTAGES OF COMPUTERS
The following are certain advantages of computers:
High Speed
 Computer is a very fast device.
 It is capable of performing calculation of very large amount of data.
 The computer has units of speed in microsecond, nanosecond, and even
the picosecond.
 It can perform millions of calculations in a few seconds as compared to
man who will spend many months to perform the same task.
Accuracy
 In addition to being very fast, computers are very accurate.
 The calculations are 100% error free.
 Computers perform all jobs with 100% accuracy provided that the input
is correct.
Storage Capability
 Memory is a very important characteristic of computers.
 A computer has much more storage capacity than human beings.
 It can store large amount of data.
 It can store any type of data such as images, videos, text, audio, etc.
Diligence
 Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness, and
lack of concentration.
 It can work continuously without any error and boredom.
 It can perform repeated tasks with the same speed and accuracy.
Versatility
 A computer is a very versatile machine.
 A computer is very flexible in performing the jobs to be done.
 This machine can be used to solve the problems related to various
fields.
 At one instance, it may be solving a complex scientific problem and the
very next moment it may be playing a card game.
Reliability
 A computer is a reliable machine.
 Modern electronic components have long lives.
 Computers are designed to make maintenance easy.
27
Automation
 Computer is an automatic machine.
 Automation is the ability to perform a given task automatically. Once the
computer receives a program i.e., the program is stored in the computer
memory, then the program and instruction can control the program
execution without human interaction.
Reduction in Paper Work and Cost

 The use of computers for data processing in an organization leads to
reduction in paper work and results in speeding up the process.
 As data in electronic files can be retrieved as and when required, the
problem of maintenance of large number of paper files gets reduced.
 Though the initial investment for installing a computer is high, it
substantially reduces the cost of each of its transaction.
DISADVANTAGES OF COMPUTERS
The following are certain disadvantages of computers:
No I.Q.
 A computer is a machine that has no intelligence to perform any task.
 Each instruction has to be given to the computer.
 A computer cannot take any decision on its own.
Dependency
 It functions as per the user’s instruction, thus it is fully dependent on
humans.
Environment
 The operating environment of the computer should be dust free and
suitable.
No Feeling
 The Computers have no feelings or emotions.
 It cannot make judgment based on feeling, taste, experience, and
knowledge unlike humans.
28
COMPUTER IN HEALTHCARE
Computers have become an important part in hospitals, labs, and

dispensaries. They are being used in hospitals to keep the record of patients
and medicines. It is also used in scanning and diagnosing different diseases.
ECG, EEG, ultrasounds and CT scans, etc. are also done by computerized
machines.
Following are some major fields of health care in which computers are
used:
 Diagnostic System − Computers are used to collect data and identify the
cause of illness.
 Lab-diagnostic System − All tests can be done and the reports are
prepared by computer.
 Patient Monitoring System − These are used to check the patient's signs
for abnormality such as in Cardiac Arrest, ECG, etc.
 Pharma Information System − Computer is used to check drug labels,
expiry dates, harmful side effects, etc.
 Surgery − Nowadays, computers are also used in performing surgery.
29
Focus Questions
1. In your own words, why is it that computer software is helpful for
nurses? (150 words minimum)
2. Does computer software helpful in patient care? Why of why not? (150
words minimum)
3. Are you willing to be trained in using the software for both nurses and
patient care? Why or why not? (150 words minimum)
Related Readings
 To further read about the computer software, visit the following
webpages below
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/computer_software.htms
- https://sites.google.com/site/nursingb1g/module-one/nursing-
and-computers
Learning Activities
Name_U2C4_Assessment.
IDENTIFICATION: Answer the following questions in your MS Word/written

format (No erasures if using written).
1. They are designed to satisfy a particular need of a particular
environment.
2. It is generally prepared by the computer manufacturers.
3. Keyboard, mouse are examples of what hardware?
_____4. It represents the physical and tangible components of a computer.
_____5. It represents the physical and tangible components of a computer.
_____6. It can be used to check the patient's signs for abnormality such as
in Cardiac Arrest, ECG
_____7. Give at least 2 examples of System Software. (For nos. 7-8)
_____8.
_____9. Give at least 2 examples of Application Software. (For nos. 9-10)
_____10.
30
Chapter 5: Microsoft Office use for Nurses
1. define the Microsoft Office applications and its features;
2. identify the features suitable for nursing informatics; and
3. compare the applications and its efficacy particularly on the use of the E-
Health Records.
Introduction
Microsoft Office, or simply Office, is a family of client software, server
software, and services developed by Microsoft. It was first announced by Bill
Gates on August 1, 1988, at COMDEX in Las Vegas. Initially a marketing term
for an office suite (bundled set of productivity applications), the first version
of Office contained Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft
PowerPoint. Over the years, Office applications have grown substantially
closer with shared features such as a common spell checker, OLE data
integration and Visual Basic for Applications scripting language. Microsoft
also positions Office as a development platform for line-of-business software
under the Office Business Applications brand. On July 10, 2012, Softpedia
reported that Office was being used by over a billion people worldwide.
 Word Processor – is a device or computer program that provides for
input, editing, formatting and output of text, often with some additional
features.
 Analysis – using data to synthesize knowledge, inform decision support,
and manage outcomes as well as taxonomies.
 Spreadsheet – is a computer application for organization, analysis and
storage of data in tabular form. Spreadsheets were developed as
computerized analogs of paper accounting worksheets. The program
operates on data entered in cells of a table.
31
Lecture Notes
MICROSOFT WORD
 Microsoft Word is arguably the most popular word processor on the
planet. That’s because it’s part of Microsoft’s Office Suite, which is
installed in 1 billion devices in the world (according to groovyPost).
 When Word 1.0 for Windows was released in 1989, it was one of the first
word processors that offered a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get)
interface.
 This combination of ease of use and robust features makes it the go- to
word processor in both homes and offices today. It’s now also available
for the Mac operating system as well as a web-based version through an
Office 365 subscription.
What Is Microsoft Word Used For?
For Business or School - Microsoft Office's Word is a great tool for creating
business documents. Of course, you could design business and school
documents from scratch. Or you could get a head start using a professionally
designed template:
(Source: https://business.tutsplus.com/tutorials/what-is-microsoft-word-
definition--cms-34990)
32
You can also find templates to help you create the following:
 letter  sign
 report or paper  banner
 proposal  resume
 newsletter  business card
 brochure  invoice
 catalog  receipt
 poster  product packaging
 flyer  mailing label
 postcard
For Personal Purposes
(Source: https://business.tutsplus.com/tutorials/what-is-microsoft-word-definition--
cms-34990)
There are also many personal uses of MS Word. Here are just a few:
 invitation
 card
 gift tag
 recipe card
 place card
 certificates
(See the PPT/demonstration for the step-by-step use of MS Word)
33
MICROSOFT EXCEL
 MS Excel is a commercial spreadsheet application that is produced and
distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS operating
systems. It features the ability to perform basic calculations, use graphing
tools, create pivot tables and create macros, among other useful
features.
 Spreadsheet applications such as MS Excel use a collection of cells
arranged into rows and columns to organize and manipulate data. They
can also display data as charts, histograms and line graphs.
 MS Excel permits users to arrange data in order to view various factors
from different perspectives. Microsoft Visual Basic is a programming
language used for applications in Excel, allowing users to create a variety
of complex numerical methods. Programmers are given an option to code
directly using the Visual Basic Editor, including Windows for writing code,
debugging and code module organization.
(Source: https://www.microsoft.com/en-ie/microsoft-365/excel)
34
Excel Basics
If you're just starting out with Excel, there are a few basic commands that
we suggest you become familiar with. These are things like:
 Creating a new spreadsheet from scratch.
 Executing basic computations in a spreadsheet, like adding, subtracting,
multiplying, and dividing in a spreadsheet.
 Writing and formatting column text and titles.
 Excel's auto-fill features.
 Adding or deleting single columns, rows, and spreadsheets. Below, we'll
get into how to add things like multiple columns and rows.
 Keeping column and row titles visible as you scroll past them in a
spreadsheet, so that you know what data you're filling as you move
further down the document.
(See the PPT Presentation for the step-by-step use of MS Excel)
SAMPLE OF WHAT MICROSOFT EXCEL LOOKS LIKE

(Source: https://www.britannica.com/technology/Microsoft-Excel)
MICROSOFT POWERPOINT
 Microsoft PowerPoint is a powerful presentation software developed by
Microsoft. It is a standard component of the company's Microsoft Office
suite software, and is bundled together with Word, Excel and other Office
productivity tools.
 The program uses slides to convey information rich in multimedia and is
used to create complex business presentations, simple educational
outlines and much more.
35
 PowerPoint allows users to create media-rich presentations constituted
by a series of slides. Since it’s fully integrated with the other tools of the
Microsoft Office suite, the user can import content created with Excel or
Word into PowerPoint, as well as other media such as pictures, audio,
and video clips.
How to create slides for a PowerPoint Presentation?

 Open Microsoft PowerPoint.
 If a page with templates doesn't automatically open, go to "File" at the
top left of your screen and click "New Presentation".
 To use a template, either click the "Design" tab or go to "File" again and
click "New from Template".
 Insert a new slide by clicking on the "Home" tab and then the "New Slide"
button.
 Consider what content you want to put on the slide, including heading,
text, and imagery.
 Keep the amount of text under 6-8 lines (or 30 words) at a minimum of
size 24 pt.
 Add images by clicking "Insert" and clicking the "Picture" icon.
 Add other elements by using features in the "Home" and "Insert" tabs on
the top ribbon.
 Play around with the layout by dragging elements around with your
mouse.
36
(Source: https://356labs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/PowerPoint-2019-is-here-
What%E2%80%99s-New.png)
(See the PPT/demonstration for the step-by-step use of MS PowerPoint)
MICROSOFT OUTLOOK
 Microsoft Outlook is a proprietary email and task management
application that is available with most versions of Microsoft Office. It was
first released with Exchange Server 5.5 as a bundled program and later
integrated as a mainstay application with Microsoft Office 97 suite and
subsequent versions.
 Microsoft Outlook was initially released to provide users with a
desktop/local means of configuring POP3 and Web-based email
accounts/services.
 A user can compose, send, receive and manage one or more email
accounts with Microsoft Outlook. Although mainly popular as an email
client, Microsoft Outlook also allows users to create and manage
contacts, calendars, tasks, a personal journal and Web browsing support.
 It can configure and receive RSS feeds, social updates, calendar sharing,
weather updates and more. Microsoft Outlook can be installed and used
as a standalone application or with SharePoint and Exchange Server in an
enterprise / networked environment.
37
(Source: https://www.cdrinfo.com/images/uploaded/Microsoft_Outlook_Mac_1.jpg)
MICROSOFT OFFICE 365

 Microsoft 365 is a line of subscription services offered by Microsoft that
offers well-known applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Based
on the subscription selected, users can get cloud storage, advanced
security, and various Microsoft applications.
 Microsoft 365 was launched in 2017 as a superset of Office 365 and
Windows 10 Enterprise licenses, along with other cloud-based security
and device management products. In 2020, Office 365 was rebranded as
Microsoft 365 to be marketed towards consumers and small businesses
to emphasize a wider inclusion of products that reach beyond the central
Microsoft Office software, such as cloud- based productivity tools and
artificial intelligence (AI) features.
Microsoft 365 Core Features

 Word
 Excel
 PowerPoint
 Outlook
 SharePoint
 OneDrive
 OneNote
38
(Source: https://tr4.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2020/04/28/42044c62-49f5-495f-8dd6-
e23bb8fb68b9/resize/1200x/7051c04da57d0b8b8ac65fdbb0982749/microsoft-365-list-
apps.jpg)
Office 365 for Hospitals - Improving the Healthcare Sector

 Microsoft Office 365 is a suite of cloud-based collaboration and
interactive tools that incorporate all of Microsoft's existing online apps
(Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher, Sway, and
Access) into a cloud service. Office 365 is an automated software or
integrated experience that can help hospitals improve patient care and
reduce operational costs by enhancing collaboration and communication
between doctors, nurses, staff, and independent specialties, health
teams, and health care professionals in healthcare organizations. It is
designed to help you achieve your passion for providing quality care and
expand your hospital’s health insurance portability and accountability.
Built on Microsoft 365’s stable, compatible platform, Teams provide all
healthcare workers with a common way to communicate in real-time,
organize patient care, and maximize operational efficiency.
The latest and updated approach for the healthcare system is the Office365
for hospitals
 The intricate ways healthcare services has been conducted for many
years has changed now. Microsoft technology navigated the
administrating and accounting functions of the healthcare system to a
new era of development and improvement. Medical care has evolved
into team-based care, incredibly large medical specializations, electronic
patient data storage, and regulations for patient's privacy. Healthcare
organizations and centers are working by securely collaborating with
Office 365 for better communication, security, and patient care.
 The healthcare professionals, including doctors, surgeons, or nurses,
have several concerns in their professional life. Their prime concern is to
39
be updated with day to day new information related to the drug,
modified techniques, and tactics of any surgery or any new research
related to the human body. This daily need for being updated can easily
be achieved through office 365 with its unique features and technology.
The healthcare staff deals daily with new researches, experimentation,
and testing. The office365 has easy access to daily workshops,
internships, or assignments scheduled for discoveries. The stress of
having updated information can quickly be solved with security and
compliance served through office365.
 Microsoft 365 was launched in 2017 as a superset of Office 365 and
Windows 10 Enterprise licenses, along with other cloud-based security
and device management products. In 2020, Office 365 was rebranded as
Microsoft 365 to be marketed towards consumers and small businesses
to emphasize a wider inclusion of products that reach beyond the central
Microsoft Office software, such as cloud- based productivity tools and
artificial intelligence (AI) features.
 The patient's accurate information and health history must be
documented correctly is the patient's prime concern. The reliability of
the patient's health information is the most crucial factor that medical
health organizations care about. Microsoft teams succeeded in
implementing a care market instead of the cure market, where the
caretakers and healthcare providers are successfully being engaged in
healthcare services provision aided by new technology. The current
improvements have to with proper services delivery. An example will be
updates related to patient's medicine information shared with all care
provider teams.
 A healthy relationship between health care providers and patients can be
maintained through persuasive communication. Office 365 enables
healthcare providers or professionals to securely communicate or
collaborate in real-time with patients or colleagues wherever they want.
It also provides easy asses to schedule and links for both providers and
patients for booking virtual appointments. Built on the secure, compliant
Microsoft 365 cloud, the team gives all healthcare workers a familiar way
to communicate in real-time, coordinate patient care, and improve
operational efficiencies.
40
(Source: https://www.aalto.fi/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/2_3_1380w_600h_n/public/2019-
07/office365- 1024x488.jpg?h=7e470e3b&itok=1jJQPNY6)
 The improvements or productivity that office 365 provides to healthcare

organizations include advanced level coordination, enhanced
collaboration, and an agile healthcare team. A fully equipped and
informed team is what a healthcare organization needed for a better and
healthy future.
 Healthcare organizations work more productive through a Microsoft
technology created by the Microsoft Excel team. The efficacy and
productivity of the overburden team decline with time. The Microsoft
office enables the team to work efficiently in peak hours of a rush as well
as in every emergency. The daily need for data entry, including the record
of the patient's current status. Staff needs to collaborate with clients,
patients, and their families to keep up the increasing demands and keep
quality of service.
 It enables users to collaborates or communicate or handling data or
details in the strive of seeking quality or maintaining the quality indeed.
The caretakers can have quicker information about any health alert,
protocol, or in emergency circumstances or for better regulations. They
will have easy access to information anywhere anytime. Caretakers,
either in elderly care or home care, can have far quicker access to
information.
 Many patients choose hospitals based on the behavior and reputation of
staff and healthcare provides. A kind and friendly staff are more
functional and skillful in public dealing. The overfull patients in
healthcare wards or emergency departments are one of the many
problems that nursing staff need to face; a systemized way is Microsoft
office that enables the team to work with fewer errors.
41
Focus Questions
1. In your own words, which MS word is effective for you as a nurse? Explain.
(150 words minimum)
2. In your own words, is the Microsoft Office helpful for health professionals?
Why or Why Not? (150 words minimum)
3. In your own words, what MS Word output is suitable for Nursing
Profession? Explain. (150 words minimum)
4. In your own words, what MS Excel output is suitable for Nursing
5. In your own words, what MS PowerPoint output is suitable for Nursing
Related Readings
 To further read about the Microsoft Office and Healthcare, visit the
- https://www.microsoft.com/en/microsoft-365/solutions/healthx
- https://news.microsoft.com/2003/08/21/microsoft-office-system-
set-to-help-healthcare-industry-relieve-paperwork-ills/
42
Learning Activities
Name_Unit1_Assessment.
A (Option 1): For those with laptop/computer, create this excel worksheet
and apply the excel applications. Follow the format below:
Source: http://www.cogniview.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dr_scott.jpg
SCORING RUBRICS:
 Organization (Structure of the worksheet) = 20 points
 Excel tools use (Using the tools properly) = 20 points
 Excel calculation (Applying mathematics) = 20 points
 TOTAL POINTS = 60 POINTS
43
A (Option 2): For those with no laptop/computer, explain in a written form
at least 30 functions of Excel (60 pints):
B. IDENTIFICATION: Answer the following questions in your MS

Word/written format (No erasures if using written).
1. It is an automated software or integrated experience that can
help hospitals improve patient care.
2. It is a commercial spreadsheet application that is produced and
distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS operating
systems.
3. If a page with templates doesn't automatically open, go to
"File" at the top left of your screen and click .
4. It allows users to create media-rich presentations constituted
by a series of slides.
5. It is a proprietary email and task management application that
is available with most versions of Microsoft Office.
6. They were developed as computerized analogs of paper
accounting worksheets.
7. Give at least 4 applications of Office 365. (For nos. 7-10)
8.
9.
10.
44
UNIT 3: Automated Health Records and Software
Chapter 6: Electronic Health Records

1. discuss the purpose of e-health records;
2. describe the types of e-health records and its functions
3. differentiate the e-health records and e-medical records; and
4. demonstrate the process of creating e-health records.
Introduction
The electronic health record (EHR) has catalyzed change for clinicians
by making available vast amounts of patient data and other information that
could be used for clinical decision support (CDS).
Legislation in the U.S. has created financial incentives to adopt an EHR
and, more importantly, to derive meaningful use from the EHR. Although
adoption of the EHR has been brisk in the U.S., the role it plays in patient care
is unclear and will continue to evolve for many years as new uses are
discovered.
The sheer amount of patient information available in a single
electronic location rather than in volumes of paper can assist clinical decision
making, even if the EHR serves as nothing more than a repository of
information and images that can be searched, reviewed, and compared.
Key Points:
 Patient’s Paper Chart – it is a complete record of a patient’s key clinical
data and medical history, such as demographics, vital signs, diagnoses,
medications, treatment plans, progress notes, problems,
immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory and
test results.
 Streamline – it is to make (an organization or system) more efficient
and effective by employing faster or simpler working methods.
 Antitrust – it is relating to legislation preventing or controlling trusts
or other monopolies, with the intention of promoting competition in
business.
45
Lecture Notes
ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS

An electronic health record (EHR) is a digital version of a patient’s
paper chart. EHRs are real-time, patient-centered records that make
information available instantly and securely to authorized users. While an
EHR does contain the medical and treatment histories of patients, an EHR
system is built to go beyond standard clinical data collected in a provider’s
office and can be inclusive of a broader view of a patient’s care. EHRs are a
vital part of health IT and can:
 Contain a patient’s medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment
plans, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory
and test results
 Allow access to evidence-based tools that providers can use to make
decisions about a patient’s care
 Automate and streamline provider workflow
(Source: https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/roundups/03yEDeTzPo1WxOu5QGWq9Zq-
16..1598476026.jpg)
One of the key features of an EHR is that health information can be

created and managed by authorized providers in a digital format capable of
being shared with other providers across more than one health care
organization. EHRs are built to share information with other health care
providers and organizations – such as laboratories, specialists, medical
imaging facilities, pharmacies, emergency facilities, and school and
workplace clinics – so they contain information from all clinicians involved in
a patient’s care. Not only do EHRs make it much simpler and commonplace
for a physician to access a chart remotely, they can be made aware of
potentially dangerous medication errors far sooner. An EHR, which shares
information between multiple healthcare providers, also allows a physician
to learn about critical lab values quickly. This kind of information sharing
leads to knowledge that is a step towards improving a patient’s overall health
outcome long-term.
46
The purpose of EHR, or Electronic Health Records, is to consolidate a
patient’s medical chart into digital documents. They are updated patient
records that can be accessed in real time by authorized users in a digital
format. They contain details of medical history, medications, allergies,
radiology images, treatment plans and laboratory results of patients. In
addition to the above, they also give physicians and care providers’ tools to
help them make decisions about a patient’s care.
TYPES OF E.H.R. SYSTEMS

There are different ways EHR systems are configured. Each has its own
advantages and disadvantages, depending on a medical practice’s own
needs and requirements.
 Physician hosted systems very basically means that all data is hosted
on a physician’s own servers.
This means that a physician is responsible for purchasing hardware and
software, as well as the continued maintenance and security of the data
stored on their servers.
An EHR system hosted by a physician at their medical practice may be
beneficial for larger practices that can cover the overhead costs of the
complex software. Having the servers on site also helps speed up an
EHR system and makes it a more reliable source of information.
 Remotely hosted systems shift the storage of data from the physician
to a third party.
This entity must deal with maintenance, data backup, and security. This
type of system puts the responsibility for maintaining data somewhere
else besides a single physician or medical practice. This shift of
responsibility might be attractive to smaller practices or any healthcare
provider that wants to focus more on collecting the information and not
storing it. This type of system eliminates some of the IT headaches that
can take away a physician’s attention from their patient’s care and
wellbeing.
 There are three different varieties of Remote Systems: Subsidized: A
subsidized system involves a relationship with some entity that
subsidizes the cost of an EHR. Generally, a physician forms this
relationship with a hospital, which then controls the data. Keep in mind
that a remote system involving a subsidizing entity can bring up certain
legal issues, including antitrust and data ownership concerns.
Dedicated: A dedicated host system means that physicians store EHRs
on a vendor’s servers. These servers are usually in specific locations. A
physician cannot control most aspects of data storage with this system.
47
(Source: https://www.accenture.com/t20171220T013536Z__w__/no-
en/_acnmedia/Accenture/Conversion-Assets/DotCom/Images/Local/no-en/3/Accenture-
Electronic-Health-overview.pngla=en)
ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD

EMR stands for Electronic medical records, which are the digital
equivalent of paper records, or charts at a clinician’s office. EMRs typically
contain general information such as treatment and medical history about a
patient as it is collected by the individual medical practice.
BENEFITS OF E.M.R. IMPLEMENTATION

By implementing EMR, patient data can be tracked over an extended
period of time by multiple healthcare providers. It can help identify those
who are due for preventive checkups and screenings and monitor how each
patient measures up to certain requirements like vaccinations and blood
pressure readings. EMRs are designed to help organizations provide efficient
and precise care.
Perhaps the most significant difference is that EMR records are
universal, meaning that instead of having different charts at different
healthcare facilities, a patient will have one electronic chart that can be
accessed from any healthcare facility using EMR software.
(Source: https://avalonecon.com/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/istock-EMRs-1034068274-
3asnhlkvsitblvkauhcrnk.jpg)
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Financial Benefits of EMR
Should you decide to implement EMRs in your facility, you may
actually experience a decrease in overall expenditure. The decision to use an
EMR system instead of paper records can result in a positive return on your
financial investment, according to a study published in The American Journal
of Medicine. In the study, providers saved on drug expenditure, improved
efficiency in radiologic diagnostics, upgraded the recording and reporting of
billing services, and decreased billing errors.
EMR applications can also boost the quality and safety of patient care.
With an EMR system, you can prescribe and order medication for patients
online more safely as you will know if the patient was prescribed any
medication from another physician. You can also immediately know each
patient’s medical problems and any allergies they may have. With such
detailed information available at your fingertips, your staff can more easily
give your patients the safe, efficient and personalized care that they deserve.
Improving Patient Care

EMR software systems are also designed to help patients and their
families become more involved in the healthcare process. One example of
this is seen when clinical summaries, available for more than half of all visits,
are sent to patients within 3 business days. Each summary contains
information about the care provided during the visit, medications
prescribed, upcoming/follow-up appointments and related medical advice.
The objective of the summary is to make patients and their family members
more aware of what occurred during the visit and how they can assist in
patient care.
Patients can also become more involved in their care by exploring
patient-specific education resources. EMR software systems will provide
links to articles, videos, and images that can help patients better understand
their specific healthcare situation. With this technology, patients can make
more informed decisions about medical procedures and lifestyle
adjustments.
Using EMR systems, patients can quickly and easily receive electronic
copies of their healthcare information upon request. In the event they
choose to change healthcare providers, the universal detailed medical record
will help give the patients’ new healthcare provider a comprehensive
understanding of their medical history and current state of health.
Healthcare facilities will still be able to exchange patient information if the
patient does not request it.
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https://img.hcinnovationgroup.com/files/base/ebm/hci/image/2020/02/medical_record_history.5e56b2
4d61c73.png?auto=format&w=720
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN E.H.R. AND E.M.R.

In recent years, the U.S. healthcare industry transitioned from paper
to digital record keeping by hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics and nursing
facilities. The federal government and health organizations invested billions
of dollars to fund the hardware, software and training necessary to complete
the changeover.
The mandated switch to electronic records garnered plenty of news
coverage, with stories about electronic health records (EHR) and electronic
medical records (EMR) peppering both medical and mainstream
publications. The terms are often used interchangeably, which can lead to
confusion. However, there are distinct differences between EHR and EMR.
Electronic Medical Records:
An electronic medical record (EMR) is a single practice’s digital version
of a patient’s chart. An EMR contains the patient’s medical history, diagnoses
and treatments by a particular physician, nurse practitioner, specialist,
dentist, surgeon or clinic.
Electronic medical records (EMRs) are digital versions of the paper
charts in clinician offices, clinics, and hospitals. EMRs contain notes and
information collected by and for the clinicians in that office, clinic, or hospital
and are mostly used by providers for diagnosis and treatment. EMRs are
more valuable than paper records because they enable providers to track
data over time, identify patients for preventive visits and screenings, monitor
patients, and improve health care quality.
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EMRs offer several advantages over paper records:
 Better data tracking over time.
 Timely reminders for patient screenings and preventative check-
ups.
 Improved patient care.
Electronic Health Records:

An electronic health record (EHR) is also a digital version of a patient
chart, but it is a more inclusive snapshot of the patient’s medical history.
Electronic health records are designed to be shared with other providers, so
authorized users may instantly access a patient’s EHR from across different
healthcare providers.
Electronic health records (EHRs) are built to go beyond standard
clinical data collected in a provider’s office and are inclusive of a broader
view of a patient’s care. EHRs contain information from all the clinicians
involved in a patient’s care and all authorized clinicians involved in a patient’s
care can access the information to provide care to that patient. EHRs also
share information with other health care providers, such as laboratories and
specialists. EHRs follow patients – to the specialist, the hospital, the nursing
home, or even across the country.
The benefits of EHRs include:
 Streamlined sharing of updated, real-time information.
 Access to tools that providers can use for decision-making.
 A complete medical history of the patient, from allergies and
radiology images to lab results.
How do EMR Differ from EHR?

It’s easy to remember the distinction between EMRs and EHRs, if you
think about the term “medical” versus the term “health.” An EMR is a
narrower view of a patient’s medical history, while an EHR is a more
comprehensive report of the patient’s overall health.
Here are a few more ways EMRs and EHRs differ
 An EMR is mainly used by providers for diagnosis and treatment.
 EMRs are not designed to be shared outside the individual
practice.
 EHRs are designed to share a patient’s information with
authorized providers and staff from more than one organization.
 EHRs allow a patient’s medical information to move with them to
specialists, labs, imaging facilities, emergency rooms and
pharmacies, as well as across state lines.
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(Source: https://thirdway.imgix.net/products/a-lifetime-electronic-health-record-for-every-american/HC-
Medical-Records-Digital.jpg?w=900&h=450&fit=crop)
Electronic Records Offer Big Benefits

Both EHRs and EMRs offer benefits to patients and healthcare
providers:
 With fast, accurate and updated information, medical errors are
reduced and health care is improved.
 Patient charts are more complete and clear – no more deciphering
illegible scribbles.
 Information sharing can reduce duplicate testing, saving patients and
providers time, money and trouble.
 Improved information access makes prescribing medication safer and
more reliable.
 Promoting patient participation can encourage healthier lifestyles and
more frequent use of preventative care.
 More complete information means more accurate diagnoses.
Electronic records are expected to make healthcare more efficient and
less costly, making the switch a good investment for our nation’s healthcare.
10 STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL E.H.R. IMPLEMENTATION
Implementing an Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a multi-step
process that will impact all staff members. As with any new process, a
learning curve is involved. Having a solid plan can save hours of stress for
everyone on your team.
Here are ten essential steps to take for a successful EHR
Implementation.
1. Build your Electronic Health Record (EHR) Implementation Team
 As you implement your EHR, you’ll need a strong team to help the
process go as smoothly as possible. The team can include staff
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members such as physicians, nurses, medical assistants and
administrative staff. Team members will assist the process by
teaching colleagues EHR skills and serving as messengers to the
implementation team to identify challenges along the way. A lead
super user, lead physician, and project manager are three essential
roles to consider while building your team
 The Lead Super User is the resident in-house EHR expert. A few
duties may include template creation and developing workflows.
This position may also be responsible for creating standard
operating procedures to address problems users come across as
they use the system.
 The Lead Physician’s role is to guide the organization through EHR
implementation by serving as a link between the front line users of
the system and the technical staff. Consider utilizing a tech-savvy
physician who welcomes the new process as the lead physician.
 The Project Manager will become the main point of contact with
the EHR vendor and staff. This position will also help everyone keep
focused on implementation timelines, track progress and deal with
user issues.
2. Prepare the software

 When implementing your EHR, ensure security measures are met
to not violate HIPPA. Your organization may need to conduct a
HIPPA risk assessment. You can work with your health IT vendor to
make sure the software is compliant.
3. Determine your hardware needs

 Your hardware choices will have a significant impact on the time
and money your practice uses. For example, having a printer in
every room can save physicians up to 30 minutes a day. Some
practices provide each staff member with their own tablet or
laptop to save time logging in and out between each patient
interaction.
 If the idea of doing all this seems overwhelming, IT service
companies can help practices with system hardware needs by
helping find the correct equipment at the best price. Many
companies will also install and troubleshoot the devices, taking the
burden off your office staff.
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4. Consider the Patient Treatment Room Layout
 As the EHR program requires electronic data entry, the room
layout can have a substantial impact on patient engagement and
satisfaction. If the staff and physician face away from the patient
while entering data, patients may feel like they are not being
heard.
 One way to solve this is by using the “triangle of trust.” This is a
room configuration where the patient, physician, and computer
form a virtual triangle, allowing the patient and physician to see
each other. This layout helps because the staff member or
physician only has to turn slightly while entering data, helping the
patient feel they are being seen. Consider placing semi-circular
shaped desks in patient rooms or use moveable carts to help the
patient feel at ease during their appointment.
5. Transfer Data
 Once your hardware and software are ready to go, the next step
in EHR implementation is to transfer the data. To begin, you’ll
need to determine how to migrate data from your former record
system to your new EHR.
 There are a couple ways to do this step. You can assign existing
staff, or hire additional or temporary staff to upload information
into the new EHR.
 To make this process as smooth as possible, you’ll want to prepare
a checklist of information to be entered into the EHR. Having a
process in place will help ensure no critical information is missed.
6. Create Workflows
 Speaking of process, now is the time to get solid workflows in
place. It is vital to establish workflows prior to EHR
implementation to decrease the amount of stress your team will
face.
 Having inefficient workflows, including an insufficient number of
staff members who are trained and ready to use the EHR will
exacerbate issues during the implementation process.
Consider these questions as you create workflows:
- Is this necessary?
- Does this add value for the patient?
- Does this increase efficiency for the staff?
- Is this the right order?
- Is the right person doing this step?
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7. What to do when your EHR is down
 As with any type of technology, you must be prepared for the
occasional glitch. Start by brainstorming issues and come up with
a solid game plan for how to handle potential problems.
 For example, what will you do when the power goes out? What if
there is a system-wide malfunction that requires the help of IT to
fix? You will want to develop procedures that give clear
instructions to physicians and staff on what to do when the EHR is
unavailable.
Consider these questions when developing your procedures:
- How will physicians and staff be notified of downtime?
- How will the patient care flow continue?
- How will patient check-in occur?
- How will physicians and staff document the visit?
Having electronic and paper procedures available to staff will
increase their confidence on how to handle EHR downtime. Some
medical practices compile the instructions in three-ring binders
and store copies both in-house and offsite. Also, consider storing
PDF copies on a secure cloud, so staff members have multiple
options to get the instructions quickly.
8. Have a training program in place
 Extensive training is imperative to ensure success with EHR
implementation. Create a training plan so that all physicians and
staff, current and future, can gain the knowledge and skills to use
the EHR successfully when you are ready to launch.
Here are a few principles to consider:

 Start slow - Provide physicians and staff with basic skills before
launching. It can be difficult for users to fully understand the
system until they are able to use the program. Once users are able
to “drive” for at least a week, additional training can be introduced
to increase skills, learn time-saving tricks and get more
comfortable with the technology.
 Let colleagues teach colleagues - Consider training super users in
each specialty and for each role. For example, nurses teach nurses
best and surgeons teach surgeons best. Besides, if you have a
super user in each specialty, they can become an ongoing resource
for their colleagues.
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 Map out ongoing training needs - Have a plan for ongoing
training. As time passes, users will find shortcuts and new ways to
use the tools, and will want to share these findings with their
colleagues. In addition, the EHR will need to be updated with new
and/or improved functionality that will require extra training.
Ways to effectively handle these situations include:

- Develop a system for users to submit EHR recommendations so
changes can be made.
- Encourage active EHR users to share input and offer solutions
for enhancing usability, either by a formal tracking system or
through an online discussion that encourages the sharing of
ideas.
- Create a system for continuous EHR customization. Once
physicians and staff have a handle on the new EHR, they will
identify modifications that can improve workflow.
- Preserve the EHR vendor relationship and utilize IT support to:
 Develop or customize data entry templates
 Revise EHR generated forms and letters
 Enable new clinical decision support rules (if available)
 Modify order sets
 Look for integration opportunities with other commonly
used systems in the practice
- Plan group training in advance. Training will take time from
seeing patients, so advanced planning decreases disruption to
the practice workflow.
9. Decide on launch approach – “Big Bang” or Incremental?

 Once your EHR implementation plan is ready to go, it’s time to
decide how to launch. There are typically two ways to do this, all
at once, the “Big Bang” or slowly, in an incremental approach.
 Some practices use the “big bang” approach and roll out the EHR
system for all patients and functions on the same day. This
approach minimizes time spent managing paper records as well as
the new EHR system at the same time. The disadvantage is it can
be very disruptive and small problems can seem monumental.
 Some practices take a slower approach and implement the EHR
incrementally. By introducing EHR functions one at a time, such as
e-prescribing to begin and then introducing other features later,
some practices find the disruption easier to manage. Larger
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practices and organizations may implement slowly by rolling out
the EHR in specific sites or departments first and introducing the
program to the rest of the organization later.
 Once the launch approach is decided, physicians and staff can get
ready for the new EHR system.
 On the actual “Go Live” day it is recommended to lower the
patient volume which will ensure a smooth transition for both
patients and staff. It is also recommended that the front desk staff
informs the patients either pre-appointment or the day of that the
practice is transitioning software and that the process may be
slightly interrupted. They will appreciate the insight and have
more patience should there be a delay during their visit.
10. GATHER FEEDBACK FOR CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT

 Now that you’ve successfully implemented the EHR, be sure to
gather feedback from the users to continually improve the
process. Be sure to keep the lines of communication open so staff
members and physicians feel comfortable providing feedback. If
everyone works together, the EHR system will be an improvement
to your practice.
 Implementing an EHR is a multi-step process that requires
advanced planning. Use these steps to help make the transition as
smooth as possible.
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Focus Questions

NI_Last Name_U3C6_FQ1. Properly cite your references using APA format.
1. In your own words, does the EMR and EHR have the same ability on the
patient care? (150 words minimum)
2. Does the EMR and EHR useful for nurses? Why of why not? (150 words
minimum)
3. Does the EMR and EHR have the ability on recording the coronavirus cases,
symptoms, and records? Why or why not? (150 words minimum)
Related Readings
 To further read about the Electronic Health Records and Electronic
Medical Records, visit the following webpages below
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2793588/
- https://innovatemedtec.com/digital-health/ehr--emr
Learning Activities
General Instruction: Please submit the document containing your answer

for the following exercises through Google Classroom. Name your file
NI_Group Number_U3C6_Group Assessment.
GROUP ACTIVITY: Create your own sample E-Health Record and E-Medical
Record by group assigned by your instructor. Sample E-Health and E-
Medical Record to be provided by your instructor.
CRITERIA FOR SCORING (Both E-Health and E-Medical Record):
- Content = 20 points
- Record Related to Medical and Health = 20 points
- Originality = 10 points
- TOTAL = 50 points
- OVERALL TOTAL = 100 points (In both E-Health and E-Medical
Record)
SUBMISSION PROCEDURE:
Only one representative will submit their outputs, front page format of
submission will be given by your instructor.
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Chapter 7: Medical and Nursing Software
1. list the healthcare software applications;
2. characterize the functions of healthcare software; and
3. compare the efficiency of the healthcare software application.
Introduction
The average person often doesn’t think about healthcare software.
They often don’t think about how it affects the medical industry as a whole
either. Many might think, “My clinic is doing just fine, what do I care?” but
the impact of health information technology has revolutionized patient care
on a global scale.
Every year, more and more healthcare providers are taking steps to
change the way their business manages their internal processes. The
implementation of medical software and other specialized healthcare
information systems in hospitals and other healthcare organizations has had
monumental effects.
But choosing the right one for your business can be confusing. There are
several categories of health information technology (HIT), and with many of
these software systems sharing similar capabilities, it’s not always easy to
distinguish one from the next. That’s why we’ve made a primer to help you
break down the types of health information technology.
Key Points:
 Kareo Software – it is a Web-based EHR, medical billing, and practice
management used by thousands of physicians across the United
States. With Kareo, practices can schedule patients, confirm
insurance, manage delinquent accounts and the collections process,
store patient documents, develop customized reports and more.
 Athenahealth – it is a private American company that provides
network-enabled services for healthcare and point-of-care mobile
apps in the United States. The company was founded in 1997 in San
Diego and is now headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts.
 CureMD – it is an award winning provider of EHR, Practice
Management, Patient Portal and Medical Billing Services, designed to
optimize outcomes, quality and returns. Unlike other systems CureMD
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is a Cloud system which does not require costly installations and can
be accessed with just an internet browser.
 SoftClinic – it is an end-to-end hospital management software that
helps physicians, clinics, and hospitals to make their practice
paperless. We tailor customized hospital management information
systems and clinic management systems that best suit the unique
requirement of each hospital.
 DrChrono – it is a patient care platform that offers customization at
the point of care and on the go. DrChrono also includes scheduling,
billing and patient reminders.
Lecture Notes
WHAT IS MEDICAL SOFTWARE?

Medical software, also known as health information technology
software, is a blanket category that includes several different software types.
In general, this software helps healthcare providers manage patients and
practices.
Medical software is a category of tools used in medical settings that
collect data points on individual patient health for future reference, long-
term study of behaviors, or short-term diagnoses. The tools can be found in
all sectors of the healthcare and medical industries, from pharmacies and
labs to mental health and physical rehabilitation facilities.
And with the expansion of software into wearable devices, medical
software has moved beyond the healthcare sector and into individuals’ daily
lives. Wearable medical devices store vital signs, aggregate health data
points across long periods of time, and can be used in conjunction with
records tools to improve patient care and engagement.
MULTI-TOOL ON-PREMISE OR CLOUD MEDICAL SOFTWARE

SOLUTIONS
Larger practices and hospital systems of all sizes use multi-tool medical
software solutions that centralize patient and critical information required
to keep the organization running. These tools often include medical records,
charting, billing, supply management, and resource allocation software. They
also might include patient portal and patient engagement software along
with marketing and sales tools that help the organization deepen
relationships with current patients and grow the business.
The website “Technology Advice” researched the medical software on
the market and compared their major features. Read on after the chart for
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detailed information about the medical software market, major features to
look for in your next system, and recommendations on the best medical
software for your practice or hospital.
(Source: https://technologyadvice.com/medical/#top-medical-software-reviews-and-best-
practice-articles)
Focus Questions

1. In your own words, what medical IT solutions mentioned in the lesson
would you like to use as a nurse? Why? (150 words minimum)
2. Is there a positive and negative impact in using medical software?
Explain. (150 words minimum)
3. Are you willing to operate the medical software without an IT
supervision? Why or why not? (150 words minimum)
Related Readings
 To further read about the Nursing and Medical Sofftware, visit the
- https://medium.com/@dmitriy.malets/10-most-popular-types-of-
healthcare-software-2019-edition-61129475bbc0
- https://www.netguru.com/blog/healthcare-software-types
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Learning Activities
General Instruction: Please submit the document containing your answer

for the following exercises through Google Classroom. Name your file NI
_U3C7_Individual Assessment.
INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY: Research 5 mobile applications for nurses and 5
medical mobile applications, cite the descriptions and functions each.
SCORE BREAKDOWN WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:
Mobile App name = 2 point each (10 points equivalent)
Descriptions and functions = 10 points (50 points equivalent)
TOTAL POINTS = 60 points (Overall)
Your activity will be done by using MS word/written procedure.
Chapter 8: Mobile Application Software in Nursing

Informatics
1. List the mobile application software dedicated for Nursing
Professionals;
2. characterize the functions of mobile healthcare applications; and
3. compare the efficiency of the mobile healthcare application.
Introduction
The mobile software application is a common thing when people want
to get better features on their smartphones. Nowadays, people are attached
to their smartphones for various reasons. Some need it for communicating,
while another for having great experience in entertainment. Whatever the
reasons are, the mobile application is a must for most people. Actually what
is meant by a mobile software application and what are the benefits?
A mobile software application, or simply called as a mobile app, can be
defined as the software or computer program which is specially designed to
be used in mobile devices. The apps help users to do many things, from
playing online gambling games to finishing some work while on the go. It
functions as it is designed, which is to get things done.
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In the beginning, mobile applications aim for helping productivity such
as email and calendar. However, as time goes by, people want various kinds
of applications in many fields, such as factory productivity, tracking, GPS,
online shopping and more. Right now, there are many applications can be
downloaded for free in play stores or the application platform.
The mobile application is specifically used to run on mobile phones or
mobile devices. In general, mobile applications can be classified into three
main types. They are hybrid applications, native applications, and web-based
applications.
 Unix – it is a family of multitasking, multiuser computer operating
systems that derive from the original AT&T Unix, whose development
started in the 1970s at the Bell Labs research center by Ken Thompson,
Dennis Ritchie, and others.
 Sonographic – it is an ultrasound is a diagnostic imaging technique, or
therapeutic application of ultrasound. It is used to create an image of
internal body structures such as tendons, muscles, joints, blood
vessels, and internal organs. Its aim is often to find a source of a
disease or to exclude pathology.
 Intuitive – it is a chiefly of computer software; easy to use and
understand.
Lecture Notes
MOBILE DEVELOPMENT
One of the most intriguing areas of software development has always
been mobile development. Why? Because mobile development presents a
pretty unique opportunity for a one-person development team to build an
actual, usable, meaningful app end-to-end in a relatively short period of
time. Mobile development is doing any kind of development for any kind of
mobile device, it also doesn’t necessarily mean developing purely mobile
applications, since even web developers today have to think about how their
applications are going to be used and accessed on a mobile device.
Major Mobile Development Platforms

Throughout computing history, there have actually been quite a few
different mobile application development platforms, but until recently,
mobile development had not taken the limelight and no dominant platforms
had existed.
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Mobile Operating System
Operating systems, also known as mobile OS, are the software that run our
desktop computers and laptops and manage their resources and memory
when they're being used for multi-tasking.
But for some time now, smartphones have used operating systems too and
it's this development that has brought advanced functions to mobiles that
were previously only available on our computers.
It is also a platform so developers can create applications or 'apps' (software
programs developed for smartphones that can carry out specific functions).
(Source: https://dzone.com/articles/what-is-mobile-development)
iOS is quite arguably the “big dog” when it comes to major mobile
development platforms, partially because it was the platform that finally
brought mobile development into the modern day and age by completely
transforming the idea of a mobile device and mobile software.
iOS is, of course, developed by Apple, and it runs exclusively on Apple
products.
At the time of this writing, iOS runs on iPhones, iPods, iPads, Apple Watches,
and Apple TV, but I expect there will be more devices which will run iOS in
the future.
iOS at its core is very Unix-like; it is based on Darwin (BSD) and OS X.
It shares some important frameworks with OS X, and its user interface is
based on Apple’s Cocoa UI, which is used in OS X applications, but has been
modified and redesigned for touch devices and called Cocoa Touch.
Apple provides iOS developers with several native tools and libraries to
develop iOS applications, and, although you don’t need to use Apple’s
development tools to build your apps, you do have to have a Mac running
OS X to build your application.
iOS applications are typically built utilizing either Objective-C or the now
more popular development language for the platform, Swift.
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(Source: https://www.computerworld.com/article/3572400/android-awkward-timing.html)
Android is the other dominant player in this space.

Android was a little later to the game, first being released in September 2008,
almost a year later than iOS, but it has still managed to gain a pretty large
share of the mobile market.
Technically, Android is the mobile OS with the largest, most dominant share
of the market, weighing in at around an 80 percent share compared to iOS’s
18 percent share.
Those numbers are a bit deceiving since Android is a fragmented market,
consisting of many different devices made by different manufacturers,
running different versions of the Android operating system.
That is the primary difference between iOS and Android.
Android, backed by Google, is open.
iOS, backed by Apple, is not.
Anyone can build an Android device, and it is designed to run on a variety of
different hardware platforms and devices with very different form factors
and capabilities.
iOS is designed to run, and only runs on, a specific set of Apple devices.
Android is based on the Linux kernel, and the source code for Android is
released as open source by Google.
Like Apple, Google provides some native tools for Android development, but
again, you aren’t required to use them.
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https://onlinenursing.cn.edu/news/best-nursing-apps
NURSING APPS
The best nursing apps help nurses juggle the demands in today’s busy
healthcare environment. As nurses face more pressure to be up-to-date on
trends and advancements in the field, they’re also working to make sure that
their personal lives are in order.
Source: https://onlinenursing.cn.edu/news/best-nursing-apps
General Study Aid

It can be a challenge to keep up with your studies while also logging in
long hours as a nurse. School work and test prep require hours of dedication.
Carving out focus time in an already busy schedule, though, can be a struggle.
That’s where some of the best nursing apps can help.
Some of the best nursing apps to keep your notes organized include:
 EverNote or OneNote
These two leading note-taking platforms are among the best nursing
apps because they allow you to consolidate all of your notes in your
smartphone or another device. You can highlight terms or passages
that are relevant so you can return later for quick review. You can also
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scan handouts and other in-class materials to compile all of your
materials into one space.
 StudyBlue or Cram
These two make our list of best nursing apps because they are great
for test preparation. With these apps, you can make flashcards, use
practice tests to prepare for course exams, or brush up on your
knowledge on a given topic.
(Source: https://onlinenursing.cn.edu/news/best-nursing-apps)
Field Specific Apps

Among best nursing apps are those created specifically to expand
knowledge in the field. Whether you use them to learn new material or
freshen up on medical concepts, these field specific apps will help you stay
sharp as a nurse.
Some these best nursing apps include:
 Nursing Essentials
This app is incredibly handy for student nurses or for those who simply
want to review concepts. In addition to the ability to take notes and
mark sections for quick reference, this app also includes a calculator
for your convenience.
 Med Mnemonics
If you’ve struggled to master the complex terminology used in the
medical field, rest assured that you are not alone. This is why Med
Mnemonics is one of the best nursing apps—it simplifies the
memorization process with an array of handy rhymes and acronyms
that are sure to stick out in your mind.
 Human Anatomy Atlas 2021
This handy guide is among best nursing apps for those who want to
review parts of the human body. With visual graphics and extensive
content, this app allows users to quickly search for and discover all of
the components of anatomy.
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 FNP Pocket Prep
Pocket Prep’s Family Nurse Practitioner Exam Prep is one of the best
nursing apps that is filled with helpful flashcards to streamline study
as well as practice exam questions tailored to AANP standards. This
app was specifically designed for those preparing for the American
Nurses Credentialing Center Exam, required for those seeking to
pursue licensed FNP practice. Adding to this app’s appeal is that it also
features a countdown to test day to fuel your focus on preparation.
(https://onlinenursing.cn.edu/news/best-nursing-apps)
MOST POPULAR MEDICAL APPS FOR DOCTORS AND PATIENTS

Over the last decade, smartphones have made a disruptive
breakthrough, started from merely communications tools with a set of
simplified games and got to where they are now – powerful business
mediators with lots of specialized mobile apps.
10 top medical apps to consider

Among the ocean of unappetizing medical apps, however, it is way too
difficult to find the effective ones that would suit your needs. You may
wonder, how to choose a decent mobile application for healthcare?
After a thorough examination (not medical this time, though the pun
is intended), we’ve made up a top list of the best medical apps for doctors,
medical students and patients of 2020. So, here it is – just take your pick:
1. UpToDate
It is a powerful platform for doctors and medical students. It provides
easy access to its functions from most devices, like smartphones, desktop
computers and tablets. The solution has vast amounts of up-to-date
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professional info resources on almost every single field of healthcare, which
is shared across physicians and clinics with no hassle. Doctors from all around
the globe have a possibility to get proven recommendations from the world’s
best experts.
2. DynaMed Plus
This is a robust evidence-based solution for clinicians, who need to get
instant yet relevant insights on multiple cases when they are on the go. The
app is fully compatible with iOS and Android platforms. A user-friendly
interface and access to exhaustive information on every topic is what makes
it an indispensable tool for healthcare providers.
3. Isabel Pro
One of the most actionable medical apps for diagnostics. A large
database enables practitioners to consult expert publications to check their
diagnoses. The app includes a number of useful features, like filtering by age,
gender and travel history of patients. An integrated knowledge base contains
info on all the known diseases and their symptoms to help healthcare
providers make better decisions.
4. Sonosupport
A unique tool for ultrasound examinations. With this app on board,
you can easily get your clinical-grade ultrasound diagnostics at home. The
app provides insights on when and why the patient should undergo a
scanning procedure. Due to a vast hi-res image database, you can easily
double-check the previous diagnosis. A mobile responsive interface with
well-detailed anatomy illustrations helps compare sonographic results right
at the bedside.
5. Medscape
This app can retrieve healthcare-related news from the Internet to
provide physicians with the most accurate and timely information on all the
clinical topics. Its database comprises reference information on over 8,000
OTC and prescription drugs, supplements and herbals alongside a checker
for drug interaction and a pill identifier.
6. PEPID
This is a complex clinical software solution designed for decision
support and patient care optimization. The app allows physicians to input all
the patient’s symptoms to come up with a certain diagnosis. Free access to
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over 3,000 disease profiles and intuitive interface makes the application
popular among healthcare providers.
7. MDCalc
This is an effective calculating tool that can be used both as a desktop
and a mobile app version. The app is available for iOS and Android platforms.
It provides healthcare professionals and medical students with great decision
tools to help identify over 150 various disease states with recommended
treatment instructions.
8. Complete Anatomy
This solution designed by 3D4Medical is more than just a medical app.
This is a full-fledged anatomy platform that leverages the benefits of
innovative 3D technology to provide insights no conventional tools ever
could. The solution is compatible with all the popular devices, be it macOS,
Windows 10, iPad, iPhone or Android. With a widespread professional
community that interactively contribute to the development of the medical
app knowledge base, this application is used in over 300 top medical
universities by both medical students and professors.
9. VisualDX
Yet another visual-based healthcare app that possesses a unique
digital library of numerous disease states, even the rarest health conditions.
The app is geared for assisting healthcare specialists to make more accurate
clinical decisions based on the vast hi-res image database and intuitive
search features.
10. Appointik
This is a cloud-based application design to improve medical practice
management efficiency. The tool is available for Android devices so far, yet
the huge potential leaves no room for doubt of its soon expansion on other
platforms. Among the most prominent features are easy access to patient
historical data, smooth appointment scheduling and canceling, e-
prescription, billing and quick info sharing via messengers or email.
With all that said, you can’t but notice that mHealth apps are great in
number and quite hard to choose from. However, most of them allow users
to give it a try with free trial periods and less pricey individual plans.
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Focus Questions

1. In your own words, how can these medical apps mentioned help you as
a future nurse? (150 words minimum)
2. Does the study apps for nurses helpful in your future reviews
particularly in Nursing and Physician Licensure Exams? Why of why not?
(150 words minimum)
3. What study app for nurses will you try when you are going to take a
review in NLE/PLE? Why or why not? (150 words minimum)
Related Readings
 To further read about the Nursing and Medical Mobile Application,
visit the following webpages below
- https://hitconsultant.net/2018/11/08/5-types-medical-apps-for-
nursses/
- https://mhealth.jmir.org/2019/11/e15195
- https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/blog/best-nursing-
apps/
Learning Activities
Instructions:
GROUP ACTIVITY: You’ll be creating a proposal of what will be your mobile
application for nursing professional and medical practice that you want to
create. It will be done within your group assigned by your instructor.
Create a Separate MS Word and PowerPoint Presentation indicating the
following:
- Introduction
- Explanation of the Proposed Mobile App
- Explanation on how could the Mobile App be helpful to Nurses
- Explanation on how could the Mobile App be helpful to Patients
NOTE:
- Your MS Word output must be submitted in Google Classroom
- MS Word users will be given a format by your instructor
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- Your PowerPoint Presentation must be presented during the live
lecture of your instructor and your output needs to be defended.
CRITERIA FOR SCORING:

 Content (Both Word and PPT) = 25 points
 Relevance (Both Word and PPT) = 25 points
 Presentation (PPT only) = 25 points
 Format (Word only) = 25 points
TOTAL = 75 point (Both Word and PPT)
(Failure to follow the instructions will result in deduction of points)
Chapter 9: Scanning Devices for Medical and Nursing

Practice
1. Identify the Scanning Devices used for medical and nursing practice;
2. differentiate the use of Barcode, Fingerprint, and QR Code; and
3. compare the efficiency and reliability of the Medical and Nursing
Barcode, Fingerprint, and QR Code System.
Introduction
An image scanner, often abbreviated to just scanner, is a device that
optically scans images, printed text, handwriting or an object and converts it
to a digital image. Commonly used in offices are variations of the desktop
flatbed scanner where the document is placed on a glass window for
scanning. Hand-held scanners, where the device is moved by hand, have
evolved from text scanning "wands" to 3D scanners used for industrial
design, reverse engineering, test and measurement, orthotics, gaming and
other applications. Mechanically driven scanners that move the document
are typically used for large-format documents, where a flatbed design would
be impractical.
Modern scanners typically use a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a
contact image sensor (CIS) as the image sensor, whereas drum scanners,
developed earlier and still used for the highest possible image quality, use a
photomultiplier tube (PMT) as the image sensor. A rotary scanner, used for
high-speed document scanning, is a type of drum scanner that uses a CCD
array instead of a photomultiplier. Non-contact planetary scanners
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essentially photograph delicate books and documents. All these scanners
produce two-dimensional images of subjects that are usually flat, but
sometimes solid; 3D scanners produce information on the three-dimensional
structure of solid objects.
Key Points:
 Resonance – it describes the phenomenon of increased amplitude
that occurs when the frequency of a periodically applied force is equal
or close to a natural frequency of the system on which it acts.
 Cartridge – it is a container holding a spool of photographic film, a
quantity of ink, or other item or substance, designed for insertion into
a mechanism.
 Ambulant – it is walking or in a walking position specifically.
 Wristband – it is an encircling strips worn on the wrist or lower
forearm. The term can be used to refer to a bracelet-like band, similar
to that of a wristwatch, to the cuff or other part of a sleeve that covers
the wrist, or decorative or functional bands worn on the wrist for many
different reasons.
 Biometric – it is a physical or behavioral human characteristics to that
can be used to digitally identify a person to grant access to systems,
devices or data.
 Strides – it is a step or stage in progress toward an aim.
 Counterfeit – it is to imitate something authentic, with the intent to
steal, destroy, or replace the original, for use in illegal transactions, or
otherwise to deceive individuals into believing that the fake is of equal
or greater value than the real thing.
 Dashboard – it is a tool used for information management and
business intelligence. Much like the dashboard of a car, data
dashboards organize, store, and display important information from
multiple data sources into one, easy-to-access place.
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Lecture Notes
SCANNING DEVICES FOR MEDICAL AND NURSING PRACTICE

There are many ways doctors use imaging to diagnose or monitor a
medical condition. Different types of scans are used for different conditions,
and the kind of scan your doctor orders will depend on your symptoms.
Imaging scans are relatively safe and carry minimal risks, but you'll feel more
prepared if you know what to expect. Here's what you should know.
(Source: https://www.dignityhealth.org/articles/types-of-scans-and-medical-imaging)
MRI
One of the most common types of scans is a magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) scan. An MRI can detect nerve injuries, tumors, brain injuries,
stroke, or even the cause of a headache. There is no radiation involved in an
MRI since it uses radio waves and magnetic fields to scan the body.
"MRIs are very commonly used for brain imaging, spine imaging, and
the imaging of the joints," said Daniel Herron, MD, the director of women's
imaging at Mercy Imaging Centers, a service of Dignity Health Medical
Foundation. They can detect liver abnormalities, as well as appendicitis in
pregnant women, he said.
Before your MRI, make sure you fill out the screening questionnaire
fully and honestly. Tell the radiologist or technician if you have any medical
device implants, pacemakers, or knee or hip replacements. Mention any
tattoos as well; these can cause burns or skin irritation during the exam,
according to the Food and Drug Administration.
An MRI can be loud, and nearly all technicians will offer earplugs when
you arrive for your appointment. Side effects are minimal and may include
headache or nausea. An MRI can take between 10 minutes to an hour to
complete.
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X-Ray
X-rays are one of the most common types of scans. According to the
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, X-rays are a
form of ionizing radiation that can pass through most objects, including the
human body. As X-rays travel through the body, different tissues absorb
them in different amounts.
Dr. Herron explained that an X-ray can typically be completed in 15
minutes or less, and use less radiation than a CT scan. X-rays are used in
mammography to detect and diagnose breast cancer, and Dr. Herron said
they are also useful for finding pneumonia, certain tumors or abnormal
masses, and bone fractures.
CT/CAT Scan
Computerized tomography (CT) and computerized axial tomography
(CAT) are two names for the same type of scan. This scan combines several
X-ray images taken from multiple angles to create cross-sectional "slices" of
bones, blood vessels, and soft tissues. A CT/CAT scan can be performed on
every area of the body and provides greater clarity than traditional X-rays.
"A CT scan is sort of our workhorse of radiology," Dr. Herron said. It is
used in the emergency room to evaluate headaches or trauma, such as a
broken rib. CT/CAT scans are also being used to screen for lung cancer, he
explained.
A CT/CAT scan is painless and non-invasive; no instruments are
introduced into the body, other than contrast dye to increase visibility. A
CT/CAT scan can be performed if you have an implanted medical device and
takes about half an hour to complete. They do, however, involve some
radiation risk, which accumulates over time.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to take images of the
inside of the body. The scan is performed by applying a water-based gel and
then gliding a transducer over the area to be scanned. The transducer sends
sound waves into the body and then receives the echoing waves to form an
image. An ultrasound is typically used during pregnancy, but it can also
detect and diagnose conditions that affect the body's organs and soft tissues.
"The images from ultrasound are getting better each year, and the
technology is getting better, so we're using it more and more for things
because of concerns over contrast reactions and radiation," Dr. Herron said.
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Ultrasounds can evaluate the thyroid gland and find breast cancer, Dr.
Herron said. They can also guide procedures, such as biopsies.
Your doctor may either instruct you to fast (not eat or drink for a
number of hours) before the test or to drink a certain number of glasses of
water to make sure your bladder is full. An ultrasound takes between a half
an hour to an hour, and does not require anesthesia or medication.
Medical imaging is a useful tool for diagnosing and detecting certain
conditions and illnesses, and the benefits outweigh the minimal risks. If you
have concerns, be sure to talk to your doctor before undergoing any testing.
BARCODES
A barcode is an image consisting of a series of parallel black and white
lines that, when scanned, relays information about a product. Barcodes are
read by special optical scanners. Once the scanner device is placed across the
barcode, it immediately processes the data contained within it, typically the
price of the product that the barcode is printed on. The most common form
of a barcode is the Universal Product Code (UPC), which was first introduced
in the 1970s for use in grocery stores.
A barcode is an image consisting of a series of parallel black and white
lines that, when scanned, relays information about a product. Barcodes are
read by special optical scanners. Once the scanner device is placed across the
barcode, it immediately processes the data contained within it, typically the
price of the product that the barcode is printed on. The most common form
of a barcode is the Universal Product Code (UPC), which was first introduced
in the 1970s for use in grocery stores.
(Source:https://journals.lww.com/nursing/Fulltext/2015/03000/How_informatics_nurses_use_bar_code_
technology_to.18.aspx)
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How informatics nurses use bar code technology to reduce
medication errors
In 1999, death due to medication errors became the eighth leading
cause of mortality in the United States. Since then, advances in nursing
informatics and technology have brought major changes to the old system
of medication administration, improving patient safety. The electronic health
record (EHR), bar code medication administration (BCMA), and other
technologic innovations help nurses deliver safer patient care, efficiently
manage patient information, and improve documentation.
The Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) initiative has
established a set of competencies for nursing informatics including safety,
evidence, quality, and team involvement. QSEN defines the role of
informatics as the use of information and technology “to communicate,
manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision making”. These
competencies relate to the role of the BCMA coordinator and support the
main focus, which is the informatics nurse's crucial role in the
implementation and management of technology that improves safety during
medication administration.
How Does Barcode Technology Help in the Healthcare Industry?

The barcode technology has increased patient safety, their
identification and other improved operational efficiencies.
Barcode technology provides an easy-to-use and cost-effective
solution to all the complex problems that run inside the hospitality industry.
These barcodes allow quick and accurate data entry for the healthcare
industry, supporting precious time to be spent in increasing efficiencies
instead of manually entering the data.
(Source: https://www.assetinfinity.com/blog/barcode-technology-in-healthcare-industry)
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5 benefits of implementing barcode scanners into your healthcare
facility:
1. Safety of Patient
Barcode solutions in the healthcare industry help in organizing the patient
admittance process, track their medication and care admission, and
identification of patients through their admission period.
The barcode wristbands are created for the patients at the time of their
admission with their specific information, which is continuously updated on
the basis of the patient’s need.
All the patient’s records like medical report, medication and specimen
samples are tagged with barcode labels. These labels are of great help to
doctors and nurses for the easy scan to track critical patient’s information.
For instance, if a patient is needed to be medicated, first the nurse can create
the barcode wristband just by using the mobile printer, which is placed right
beside the patient’s bed.
After this, whenever the medication will be administered, anyone nurse or
doctor just need to scan the patient’s wristband and the barcode on the
medication, and the information will be automatically recorded in the
patient’s medical record.
The barcode technology also makes sure of the treatment administered to
the patient, so that correct treatment should be given and continued to the
right patient. This ultimately reduces errors and ensures patient safety.
Importance of barcode solution is also seen in the workflows and its related
changes in hospitals and healthcare practices.
Barcode technology helps practitioners and doctors to see all the previous
notes along with the medical information attached to the unique barcode
label linked to each patient.
Similarly, when in need the medical staff can also access the records easily
and see the location of the patient in terms of its medication cycle and about
other care and therapies that patient may require.
Through the efficient work of the nurses and doctors and their care towards
the patients during their shift actually saves the hospitals time as well as
resources.
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As of advanced technology being practiced in the healthcare industry, the
use of electronic medical appliances and records, barcode solutions have
almost eliminated manual data collection.
Nowadays, the patient’s information is easily and instantly collected and
recorded that too electronically, which further reduced manpower.
2. Easy to Use
Healthcare is the profession and industry are the places, where the prime
focus is always patients, rather technology used to treat them that is
secondary.
Therefore, any technology that happens to be used in the healthcare
industry should fit seamlessly into existing software solutions and
infrastructure.
Just like barcode technology solutions, it can use both thermal and laser
printers. Hospitals that have already installed laser printers can easily
implement a barcode tracking system.
This is just a myth that any new technology will be complicated and will have
a learning curve. It is just over its use and implementation.
For example, the barcode technology printers and scanners are so easy to
use even for the nurses unknowledgeable about the technology.
The barcode printers are small, durable, and ambulant. The cartridges can
also be changed quickly.
3. Wristband Efficiency
Before the implementation of any new technology, planning and testing for
its seamless adoption are required and processed.
Similarly, it is in the case of barcode wristband labels, they have to be worn
by the patients throughout, therefore, they should be durable and should
meet the needs of patients, clinicians, and healthcare practitioners.
For the testing of these barcode wristbands, these are worn by the staff
members of the hospital for the whole long day doing their daily chores. So,
their durability and efficiency can be checked before their implementation.
Using a high-quality wristband and printer, the wrist band would work
seamless and efficient after the duration of 10 days also, being totally intact
and being able to scan immediately, even after working in variety example,
taking showers, washing dishes and working among chemicals.
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This testing is important for the wristbands as they had to stay in good
condition for the period of patient’s stay to provide continuous and accurate
identification with tracking and recording of the patients.
4. Inventory Control
Inventory control is a complex process in the healthcare industry to deal with
as it consumes a lot of time.
Barcodes have helped the industry in managing its inventory regardless of
where they are located. As a result, the right materials and equipment are
available whenever and wherever they are needed.
Barcode scanning of products speeds up the re-order process as well. The
system is enabled to automatically re-order products when they reach a
specific inventory level (surgical utensils, medicines, equipment, etc.).
5. Track of Materials
Barcodes also assist in tracking the supplies (medicines, bandages, etc.) given
to a particular patient while treatment and also identifies the clinician who
used it with the patient.
Moreover, barcodes are also used to track the item straight from the
manufacturer, which allows the defective items to be refunded by the
distributor.
And anything that can be identified with numbers or letters can be tracked
using barcodes like medical records and laboratory results.
(Source: https://www.assetinfinity.com/blog/barcode-technology-in-healthcare-industry)
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FINGERPRINT SCANNING
(Source: https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2019/12/biometrics-healthcare-how-it-keeps-patients-
and-data-safe-perfcon)
Biometrics in Healthcare: How It Keeps Patients and Data Safe

With a touch, a glance or a few spoken words, a person’s physical
characteristics can offer a key step for authentication in healthcare.
Biometric security technologies that might have once seemed futuristic are
less jarring today for patients and providers accustomed to asking a smart
speaker for help or using a fingerprint to unlock their smartphone.
In a hospital or clinic, these tools offer safe, speedy benefits that include
identification at check-in, access to applications and records, and ensuring a
patient is treated by the right teams (and for the right reasons). That’s critical
when 64 percent of healthcare professionals say misidentification happens
often, a Ponemon Institute survey has found, and the average hospital loses
$17.4 million annually in denied claims as a result.
The approach is also helpful for the strictly regulated process of electronic
prescribing for controlled substances.
“It is an easy, fast, and highly secure way for prescribers to complete two-
factor authentication,” Dr. Sean Kelly, chief medical officer for the biometrics
technology company Imprivata, told Managed Healthcare Executive.
Adoption is poised to grow: The healthcare biometrics market is estimated
to be worth $14.5 billion by 2025, according to Grand View Research. That’s
due in part to the growth of health information exchanges, which share data
among organizations, and rising healthcare cyberthreats prompting the need
for stricter fraud deterrents.
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Uses for Biometric Security in Healthcare
At Northwell Health, the largest healthcare provider in New York State, a
2018 rollout of biometric scans was designed to integrate iris and facial
recognition technology into various functions throughout the hospital
system.
Put into practice, the process is as simple as having an ID photo taken.
“People are used to checking in at a kiosk at the airport, but in a medical
setting, we’re working to make the process feel more personal,” Laura
Semlies, vice president of digital patient experience at Northwell, recently
told HealthTech.
Semlies notes that the “best users” of biometrics employ more than one
measurement. The system, which has seen about 50,000 patients
participate, may one day add voice recognition as an added layer of
identification.
The concept has also taken off at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center,
which first implemented finger scanners in 2016 to reduce patient
registration times for office visits. Today, UPMC maintains 3,800 biometric
readers across 68 sites. To date, more than 630,000 fingerprints have been
logged.
Most patients are eager to use their fingerprint to check in for convenience
and security, Ed McCallister, UMPC’s CIO, told HealthTech. The technology,
he adds, “It is an excellent example of how we are aiming to make the
consumer experience more personalized, coordinated and connected.”
Palm-vein scanning, meanwhile, is in place at NYU Langone Health and Harris
Health System. The latter organization, based in Houston, uses it to alleviate
confusion: Harris has 138,000 cases in which two or more patients have the
same first and last names and dates of birth, Becker’s Hospital Review
reports.
Biometric Scans and Privacy Concerns

Biometric authentication is certainly the most secure approach to verifying a
user, but it also comes with a host of privacy concerns that may limit user
acceptance, according to a CDW white paper on identity and access
management solutions. Audiences might be hesitant to participate out of
fear their data could be misused for other purposes.
A 2018 survey by the Center for Identity at the University of Texas at Austin
found that 58 percent of 1,000 respondents feel very comfortable with
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fingerprint recognition technology; about 33 percent are comfortable with
other forms of biometric technology.
Employers and healthcare providers, CDW notes, can alleviate some
concerns by adopting a strong privacy policy that clearly states what
biometric information will be collected and strictly limits the use of that
information for authentication purposes only. Northwell Health, for one, has
trained staff to explain the technology to patients.
Still, a growing consumer preference for healthcare processes to mimic the
experiences of hospitality and retail is helping nudge the transition.
“If health systems acknowledge and embrace this fact, then moving forward
with biometrics should not be a difficult process,” Michael Trader, co-
founder of the artificial intelligence–enabled biometrics platform
RightPatient, told Managed Healthcare Executive. Skeptics, he notes, “are in
the vast minority and many of them are typically won over when they see
the technology in action and witness firsthand the impact that it delivers.”
Biometric Scans and Privacy Concerns

As biometric technology becomes more common — as user comfort grows
and costs go down — the identification tools are poised to play a role in more
functions than just check-in and access to records.
They could, as a 2018 report from biometric software company Aware notes,
one day be used as an out-of-band multifactor authentication — such as
letting individuals log in to their patient portal via a fingerprint scan after a
failed password attempt. Biometrics may also be used to bring an added level
of security and convenience to telemedicine tools.
More comprehensive applications are in the works: Northwell Health
envisions every patient encounter starting not only with taking a picture to
identify a customer and his or her record but also with using CCTV to detect
their arrival and provide customized directions, wait times and introductions
to clinicians providing treatment. “We intend to also pilot and test
opportunities through AI that can identify indicators from changes in
appearance, pointing to clinical indicators,” Keely Aarnes, Northwell’s IT
director, told Healthcare IT News. “With a longitudinal view of the patient’s
pictures, there are many opportunities to create alerts to the patient’s care
team.
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QR CODE
(Source: https://blog.beaconstac.com/2020/02/qr-codes-in-healthcare/)
QR Codes in Healthcare: Why it Makes a Difference

The implementation of QR Codes in healthcare serves as a powerful solution
in improving communication, transparency, and information between
healthcare providers, caregivers, and care recipients.
The medical industry has slowly embraced technology to improve patient
treatment, streamline operations, and to shift the tectonic plates of
traditional methods of keeping data in check. QR Codes in healthcare has
drastically improved the way hospitals run.
Since the medical field is making strides rapidly, QR Codes can be deployed
in hospitals to get access to thousands of research papers, hospital records,
medicines, and other procedures.
QR Codes in Healthcare: Use-cases

A number of hospitals have already leveraged the power of QR Codes. In
addition to that, pharmaceutical companies have also implemented QR
Codes on medicines to instill trust amongst their patients.
Here are a few ways to include QR Codes in healthcare:
1. Patient identification
Typically, healthcare systems have always been built as siloed architectures.
Patient data is not uniform throughout the storage system or, sometimes,
they may not even exist in another department.
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According to a study by Harvard Business Review, a platform must be
accessible to reveal the patient’s medical record to all parties involved.
Patient identity management thus is vital for any healthcare system.
False identification can not only lead to an improper diagnosis, risking
patients of medication errors but sometimes, even death.
QR Codes can serve as an important tool in helping healthcare providers to
keep the correct track of patients throughout their administration. QR Codes
can be embedded in the patient’s medical bracelet and their medical history
datasheet to access the patient’s information.
Patient information from admission to discharge, medical prescription to
even their previous health history for doctors and caretakers to provide quick
service can be accessed via QR Codes.
2. Healthcare marketing
The healthcare system hasn’t heavily invested in marketing. Although a
collective number of hospitals deny that their service isn’t a business, it
inevitably is.
As for any other marketing campaign goes, QR Codes are more than ideal for
the healthcare marketing field as well. Healthcare providers and
pharmaceutical companies can leverage QR Codes to promote their business
and increase awareness at the same time.
For instance, include QR Codes on leaflets, brochures, and bills that can be
handed over to the visitors and patients. Upon scanning, these QR Codes can
be redirected to a landing page which can attribute to the infrastructure of
the hospital, cleanliness, success stories, and other methods to treat a
patient.
Healthcare systems are hot property in the private equity market. With each
passing year, private equity deals continue to set a new record.
As a result, it is crucial to jump on to the marketing board; QR Codes can
make a huge impact to increase patient visits, profit, and reputation.
QR Codes in healthcare marketing can also be used on a plethora of
marketing materials such as:
Emails
Newsletters and flyers
Online advertisements
Billboards
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Medical publishings such as journals and theses
Read about types of QR Codes
3. Drug safety
Implementing QR Codes in healthcare for drug safety
The healthcare system and pharmaceutical companies strive hard to
maintain authenticity and ensure eradicating undetected items in the
manufacturing of medicines.
Drug counterfeit is a global threat.
QR Codes in healthcare for drug safety can go a long way in tackling drug
counterfeit and correct administration of medication to patients. Medicine
packages now come with QR Codes on them to be more transparent about
the manufacturing process, expiry date, and contents of the drugs.
QR Codes on medicines can also alert caregivers in medication
administration. QR Codes for medicine administration can alert caregivers
about the exact dosage, timing of the medicine, and procedure of the
medication to be given, thereby, saving time and error.
China has administered ingestible QR Codes on medicines to fight drug
counterfeit. These 3D ingestible QR Codes can be scanned before consuming
to see the composition of the drug and authentication.
In addition to this, the University of Copenhagen has also proposed ingestible
paper-like medicine with QR Codes on them as medicines in order to make
the process of consuming medicines marginally easy.
QR Codes in healthcare, especially for medicines, can be a strong tool to
tackle counterfeit.
Read about QR Code mandate on drug labels
4. Medical equipment information
Hospitals and medical colleges are entirely dependent on the pieces of
equipment they use. The correct functioning of medical pieces of equipment
is vital for the effective delivery of care.
With the wide range of medical pieces of equipment used, QR Codes can be
deployed to ensure the proper functioning of the equipment.
Important information regarding the equipment can be attached to a landing
page, upon scanning the QR Code. Healthcare professionals and operators
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can use a smartphone or an app to scan the QR Code to get access to
manuals, operating instructions, and videos about setting up any equipment.
QR Codes on medical pieces of equipment can enable caregivers to learn
about them in a short time as opposed to reading lengthy manuals, which is
not only time consuming but also less understandable.
In addition to this, these QR Codes can also alert healthcare officials in case
there is any malfunction or replacements in a rather seamless manner.
Read about interesting QR Code statistics here
5. Maintaining authenticity
QR Codes in healthcare: Maintaining authenticity
Oftentimes, a patient is not treated correctly for their sickness because
caregivers are not prepared. Every year over 400,000 people die from
medical errors.
Doctors and healthcare providers must need accurate information about the
patient’s health condition. The first responders need to know.
QR Codes in healthcare for cross-checking authenticity is convenient, time-
saving, and rather beneficial. In fact, 38% of smartphone users in the USA say
that mobiles are essential to access health information.
A study by Family Caregiver Alliance found that uncoordinated care patients
accounted for 46% of drug costs, 32% of medical costs, and 36% of total
costs.
Additionally, on average, uncoordinated care of patients costs were 75%
higher than those compared with patients whose care was coordinated.
QR Codes serve as the correct tool to obtain a patient’s medical history in
order to maintain authenticity. Medical bracelets, medical tags, and folders
with QR Codes embedded in it to provide instant and convenient access to
caregivers.
6. Health tracking
QR Code in healthcare: Asset tracking
As aforementioned, QR Codes in healthcare can be a great asset for a
number of useful things. One such use can be to track the progress of a
patient’s health status.
87
In cases where the patient isn’t advised to step out of their houses where
they could be a potential threat to the community, QR Codes can act as a
great tool to alert their doctors about their health status.
In light of such a scenario, the infamous Coronavirus spread in China has
given birth to the deployment of color-coded QR Codes, or, health codes to
keep patients in check.
The Chinese government in association with AliPay and WeChat has rolled
out color-coded QR Codes. These health codes can alert their guards
regarding their level of infiltration of the Coronavirus infection attack in a
patient.
This initiative has proven to be greatly helpful to avoid further spreading of
the deadly virus in the country.
QR Codes can be leveraged for daily tracking of a patient’s health status,
medication required, special dietary instructions, and additional tests, if
required.
7. Asset tracking
Medical institutes and hospitals handle plenty of assets such as tools,
medical samples, tests, and equipment. The healthcare field especially is in
dire need of asset management and tracking systems.
Any form of mismanagement and error can have grave consequences,
sometimes leading to death. In addition to that, medical instruments and
equipment are immensely expensive and hard to retrieve.
Traditional methods involved to track and maintain equipment are very
time-consuming, and laborious. Not just that, they have high chances of
human error occurring as well.
QR Codes for asset tracking and management tackles all the above-
mentioned problems without any hassle. QR Codes can be used for
equipment to track them in real-time, update numbers, alert operators in
case of any emergency, and send feedback.
In addition to that, having a user-friendly dashboard can serve as an
extremely handy tool in asset tracking. By implementing QR Codes in
healthcare, hospitals can thus save capital by eliminating the use of
expensive scanning devices.
88
8. Procedure information for patients
Hull University Teaching Hospitals included QR Codes in all their patients’
leaflets to download a copy of the medical information whilst they are still
on the premises.
Patient and procedure information is vital in helping caregivers and patients
understand the care they are getting regarding their condition and preparing
them to go home, from the hospital.
Dynamic QR Codes are used on the leaflets to change the information
accordingly which can also be printed and translated to 100 other different
languages, thus, it is accessible by a large audience.
Want to know how to create multi-lingual QR Codes?
Smartphones are used in every industry vertical. Patients and caregivers
especially use the internet to gain knowledge about their illness, oftentimes
reading the wrong information.
In such cases, hospitals and medical centers must implement QR Codes to
educate them about the medical procedure, risks, and benefits involved to
minimize damage.
QR Codes in waiting areas
For instance, QR Codes can be put up in the lobby area for patients to get
access to their respective doctors and ailments. QR Codes can also be put up
in a patient’s post-treatment booklet to contact the closest healthcare unit
for assistance, answers to common questions, and treatment.
A study by Annals of Family Medicine found that doctors spend more than
half of their time in E.M.R. This insinuates that less time is available for
patients and doctors are more likely to face issues like burnout.
In such cases, QR Codes can be attached to every patient to let them know
about their wait time, and common treatments involved.
89
Focus Questions

1. Do you think that barcode scanning still exist in medical profession? In
what sense? (150 words minimum)
2. Is Fingerprinting Scanning safe for patients and medical professionals?
Why of why not? (150 words minimum)
3. Aside from QR Code used for Contact Tracing on COVID-19, what is your
experience in using QR Code? (150 words minimum)
Related Readings
 To further read about the scanning use in medical and healthcare
profession, visit the following webpages below
- https://www.psqh.com/sepoct05/barcodingrfid1.html
- https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2019/12/how-biometric-
technologies-improve-healthcare-operations
- https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s1290
9-019-1876-4/
Learning Activities
Instructions:
GROUP ACTIVITY: You’ll be creating a proposal of what will be your scanning
device (Whether Barcode, Biometrics, or QR Code) for nursing professional
and medical practice that you want to create. It will be done within your
group assigned by your instructor.
Create a Separate MS Word and PowerPoint Presentation indicating the
following:
- Introduction
- Explanation of the Proposed Scanning Device
- Explanation on how could the Scanning Device be helpful to Nurses
- Explanation on how could the Scanning Device be helpful to
Patients
90
NOTE:
- Your MS Word output must be submitted in Google Classroom
- MS Word users will be given a format by your instructor
- Your PowerPoint Presentation must be presented during the live
lecture of your instructor and your output needs to be defended.
CRITERIA FOR SCORING:
 Content (Both Word and PPT) = 25 points

 Relevance (Both Word and PPT) = 25 points
 Presentation (PPT only) = 25 points
 Format (Word only) = 25 points
TOTAL = 75 point (Both Word and PPT)
(Failure to follow the instructions will result in deduction of points)
References
 Tayla Holm (May 2018); Types of Scans and Medical Imaging; Dignity
Health
https://www.dignityhealth.org/articles/types-of-scans-and-medical-
imaging
 How Does Barcode Technology Help in the Healthcare Industry? (October
2019); Asset Infinity;
https://www.assetinfinity.com/blog/barcode-technology-in-healthcare-
industry/
 Kevin Joy (December 2019); Biometrics in Healthcare: How It Keeps
Patients and Data Safe; Health Tech Magazine
https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2019/12/biometrics-
healthcare-how-it-keeps-patients-and-data-safe-perfcon
 Apoorva Hedge (February 2021); QR Codes in Healthcare: Why it Makes
a Difference; Beaconstac
https://blog.beaconstac.com/2020/02/qr-codes-in-healthcare/
 What is Nursing Informatics? (May 2019); Healthcare Information and
Management Systems Society
https://www.himss.org/resources/what-nursing-informatics
 Stephanie Behring; Nursing Informatics Career and Degree Guide; All
Nursing Schools
https://www.allnursingschools.com/nursing-informatics/job-
description/
91
 Belle Esc (September 2014); History of Nursing Informatics in the
Philippines; Prezi.com
https://prezi.com/xkxh7ehdanb1/history-of-nursing-informatics-in- the-
philippines/
 Carol J. Bickford, PhD, RN-BC, CPHIMS, FAAN, American Nurses
Association (November 2014); Nursing Informatics: Scope and Standards
of Practice, Second Edition; Healthcare Information and Management
Systems Society
http://s3.amazonaws.com/rdcms-
himss/files/production/public/FileDownloads/Nursing_Scope%20and%
20Standards%20of%20Practice,%20Second%20Edition_141702099
8703_1.pdf
 A Career Overview of the Nursing Informatics Specialist (November
2017); Norwich University Online
https://online.norwich.edu/academic-programs/resources/a-career-
overview-of-the-nursing-informatics-specialist
 What Does a Nursing Informatics Specialist Do? (2016), Second Edition;
Walden University Online
https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/master-of-
science-in-nursing/msn-nursing-informatics/resource/what-does-a-
nursing-informatics-specialist-do
 What is an electronic health record (EHR)?; HealthIT.gov
https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-electronic-health-record-ehr
 Computer - Software (2021); Tutorials Point
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/computer_fundamentals/computer_ov
erview.htm
 Microsoft Word (November 2020); Computer Hope
https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/m/microsoft-word.htm
 Microsoft Excel (November 2020); TechnoPedia
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/5430/microsoft-excel
 Jaime Cartwright (January 2021); 14 PowerPoint Presentation Tips to
Make More Creative Slideshows; Hubspot
https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/easy-powerpoint-design-tricks- ht
 Microsoft Excel (August 2020); TechnoPedia
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/5457/microsoft- powerpoint-
ppt
 Microsoft Outlook (February 2017); TechnoPedia
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/355/microsoft-outlook
 Microsoft Office 365 (February 2018); TechnoPedia
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/26678/microsoft-office-365
92
 Amir Shingray (January 2021); Office 365 for Hospitals - Improving The
Healthcare Sector; Infowise
https://www.infowisesolutions.com/blog/office-365-for-hospitals---
improving-the-healthcare-sector
 Douglas L. McGee (Nov 2018); Electronic Health Records (EHR) and
Clinical Decision Support; MSD MANUAL Professional Version
https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/special-subjects/clinical-
decision-making/electronic-health-records-ehr-and-clinical-decision-
support
 What is an electronic health record (EHR)? (September 2019);
HealthIT.gov
https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-electronic-health-record-ehr
 Chet Tharpe, MD (August 2020); Types of EHR Systems; Wheel
https://www.wheel.com/companies-blog/types-of-ehr-systems
 Divya Dugar (2021); Key Benefits of Electronic Health Records (EHR);
Select Hub
https://www.selecthub.com/medical-software/benefits-of-ehr-
systems/
 What is EMR? (November 2020); USF Health, Morsani College of
Medicine
https://www.usfhealthonline.com/resources/key-concepts/what-are-
electronic-medical-records-emr/
 Differences Between EHR and EMR (November 2020); USF Health,
Morsani College of Medicine
https://www.usfhealthonline.com/resources/key-concepts/ehr-vs-emr/
 Michael Hodgkins, MD, MPHa (March 2015); Electronic Health Record
(EHR) Implementation: Ease the transition from paper to electronic
health records; AMA Ed Hub
https://edhub.ama-assn.org/steps-forward/module/2702512#section-
steps
 TechnologyAdvice Guide to Medical Software (February 2021);
TechnologyAdvice
https://technologyadvice.com/medical/#top-medical-software-reviews-
and-best-practice-articles
 John Sonmez (December 2016); What is Mobile Development?; DZone
https://dzone.com/articles/what-is-mobile-development
 What are the different mobile operating systems? (December 2020);
Uswitch Mobiles;
https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/guides/mobile-operating-systems/
93
 Most Popular Medical Apps for Doctors and Patients (August 2020);
ByteAnt
https://www.wheel.com/companies-blog/types-of-ehr-systems
94

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Hello TDCIans! Welcome to this course.

This course deals with Nursing

Course overview: At the end of this course, given simulated

UNIT 1: Introduction to Nursing Informatics

1. What is Nursing Informatics?

 Nursing informatics can be applied to several areas of nursing practice.

2. What’s It Like to Work as a Nurse Informaticist?

3. Nursing informatics in the Philippines

Model of Professional Nursing Practice Regulation

The Nursing Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional

Scope of Practice Statement Addresses Who, What, When, Where, How,

Many informatics nurse specialists are registered nurses, which is key in

Vital roles of a Nursing Informatics Specialists

What’s the Career Outlook for Nursing Informatics Specialists?

How Can You Become a Nursing Informatics Specialist?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual income of $68,450

Electronic Health Record (Preview for the next topic)

EHRs are a vital part of health IT and can:

TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING:

Chapter 4: Introduction to Software

 Compilers – it is special program that processes statements written in a

 Today’s world is an information-rich world and it has become a necessity

Software and computers cannot work without a Hardware, because it

Examples of Hardware are the following:

Software is a set of programs, which is designed to perform a well-defined

There are two types of software:

The system software is a collection of programs designed to operate, control,

Some examples of system software are Operating System, Compilers,

SOME EXAMPLES OF SYSTEM SOFTWARES

Application software products are designed to satisfy a particular need of a

Application software may consist of a single program, such as Microsoft's

Features of application software are as follows:

SOME EXAMPLES OF APPLICATION SOFTWARES

Reduction in Paper Work and Cost

Computers have become an important part in hospitals, labs, and

IDENTIFICATION: Answer the following questions in your MS Word/written

What Is Microsoft Word Used For?

For Personal Purposes

(See the PPT/demonstration for the step-by-step use of MS Word)

(See the PPT Presentation for the step-by-step use of MS Excel)

SAMPLE OF WHAT MICROSOFT EXCEL LOOKS LIKE

How to create slides for a PowerPoint Presentation?

(See the PPT/demonstration for the step-by-step use of MS PowerPoint)

MICROSOFT OFFICE 365

Microsoft 365 Core Features

Office 365 for Hospitals - Improving the Healthcare Sector

 The improvements or productivity that office 365 provides to healthcare

B. IDENTIFICATION: Answer the following questions in your MS

Chapter 6: Electronic Health Records

ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS

One of the key features of an EHR is that health information can be

TYPES OF E.H.R. SYSTEMS

ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD

BENEFITS OF E.M.R. IMPLEMENTATION

Improving Patient Care

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN E.H.R. AND E.M.R.

Electronic Health Records:

How do EMR Differ from EHR?

Electronic Records Offer Big Benefits

2. Prepare the software

3. Determine your hardware needs

Here are a few principles to consider:

Ways to effectively handle these situations include:

9. Decide on launch approach – “Big Bang” or Incremental?