Unit 11 Computers in

Health Care
 11:1 Introduction
 Greatest advancement in information
processing since invention of
printing press
 Use of computers a necessity in
health care

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2

 Uses in Health Care
 Hospital or medical information systems
(HIS or MIS)
 Diagnostic testing
 Education of health care personnel
 Basic and applied research: statistical
analysis of data

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 3

 Computer Literacy
 Ability to understand basics of how a
computer works and applications used in
your field or profession
 Essential to every health care professional
 Comfort in using a computer for job needs
 Practice and experience in using
computers is necessary to develop
computer literacy
Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 4
 History of the Computer
 First computers installed in late 1950s and
early 1960s
 Electronic Numerical Integrator and
Computer (ENIAC)
 Microchips
 Sizes of computers

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 5

 11:2 What is a
Computer System?
 Electronic device that is a complete
information processing system
 Hardware
 Software

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 6

 Input Devices
 Information is entered into the computer
by means of an input device
 Computer keyboard
 Magnetic tape
 Touch screen monitor
 Optical scanner
 Mouse
 Light pen

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 7

 Central Processing Unit
(CPU)
 Processes all information or data entered
into the computer
 Acts as the “brains” of the computer
 Internal memory unit
 Arithmetic and logic unit
 Control unit

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 8

 Output Devices
 Output the finished work of the computer
 Occurs after data has been processed by
the CPU
 Printer
 Video display
 Forms of output

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 9

 11:3 Computer Applications
 First used to simplify accounting
procedures
 Medical and hospital information system
(HIS or MIS)

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 10

 Computer Uses in
Health Care
 Word processing
 Compiling databases
 Scheduling
 Maintaining financial records
 Monitoring patients
 Performing diagnostic tests

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 11

 Computer Uses in
Health Care (continued)
 Maintaining inventories
 Developing spreadsheets
 Communicating through modems

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 12

 Examples of Uses
 Admissions clerk
 Physician
 Pharmacist
 Dietician
 Laboratory technician
 Nurse
 Environmental service worker

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 13

 Computer Uses and Issues
 Hand-held portable computer
 Confidentiality
 Contingency backup plan essential

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 14

 Computer Applications for
Diagnostics
 Computer-based diagnostic tests
 Analyzing blood tests
 Electrocardiogram (ECG) computerized
interpretation systems
 Computerized tomography (CT) scanner
 Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 15

 Computer Applications for
Diagnostics (continued)
 Positron emission tomography (PET)
 Ultrasonography
 Oncology

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 16

 Computer Applications
for Education
 Commonplace as an educational tool
 Computer-assisted instruction (CAI)
 Interactive video or
computer-assisted video
 Computer applications for research
 Research using computer technology
 Clinical researchers

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 17

 11:4 Using the Internet
 Network of computer users
 Modem attached to computer,
telephone line, or cable lines and
specialized software
 Readily connects to others
 Many services and sources available
 Major use in health care relates to
organ transplants
Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 18
 Search Engines
 Defined as a database of Internet files
 Engines include: search program, index,
and retrieval program
 Types of search engines: crawler-based,
human-powered, mixed
 Many different search engines available

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 19

 Searching the Web
 Must develop a strategy
 Identify key words
 Combine key words
 Vary your search

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 20

 Searching the Web
(continued)
 Evaluate the source of all information
– Not all data is accurate or current
– Check source of information
– Check the credentials of the author
– Note the date of publication
– Evaluate references if listed
 Health care workers can research many
topics; can be an excellent learning tool

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 21

 Summary
 Computers used as cost-effective and
efficient tools
 Enhance quality patient care
 Used for many areas of health care
 Computer technology has had tremendous
impact on health care field

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 22