Computer in medical technolog (1)

Computers in
Health Care
S.M.ZEESHAN
INStItutE of MEdIcAl
tEcHNology

2
11:1 Introduction
 Greatest advancement in information
processing since invention of
printing press
 Use of computers a necessity in
health care

3
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

4
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

5
History of the Computer
 First computers installed in late 1950s and
early 1960s
 Electronic Numerical Integrator and
Computer (ENIAC)
 Microchips
 Sizes of computers

6
11:2 What is a
Computer System?
 Electronic device that is a complete
information processing system
 Hardware
 Software

7
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

8
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

9
Output Devices
 Output the finished work of the computer
 Occurs after data has been processed by
the CPU
 Printer
 Video display
 Forms of output

10
Computer Applications
 First used to simplify accounting
procedures
 Medical and hospital information system
(HIS or MIS)

11
Computer Uses in
Health Care (Medical Technology)
 Word processing
 Compiling databases
 Scheduling
 Maintaining financial records
 Monitoring patients
 Performing diagnostic tests

12
Computer Uses in
Health Care (Medical Technology)
 Maintaining inventories
 Developing spreadsheets
 CAT
 Ultrasound
 MRI
 ENDOSCOPY
 Pacemaker
 Photoshop CS2
 Nuclear magnetic

13
Examples of Uses
 Admissions clerk
 Physician
 Pharmacist
 Dietician
 Medical Technologist
 Laboratory technician
 Nurse
 Environmental service worker

14
Computer Uses and Issues
 Hand-held portable computer
 Confidentiality
 Contingency backup plan essential

15
Computer Applications for
Diagnostics
 Computer-based diagnostic tests
 Analyzing blood tests
 Electrocardiogram (ECG) computerized
interpretation systems
 Computerized tomography (CT) scanner
 Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

16
Computer Applications for
Diagnostics (continued)
 Positron emission tomography (PET)
 Ultrasonography
 Oncology

17
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

18
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

19
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

20
Searching the Web
 Must develop a strategy
 Identify key words
 Combine key words
 Vary your search

21
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

Contingency Plans
 Whenever humans depend on machines,
contingency plans need to be made just in
case the machine stops functioning.
 Computer downtime may be scheduled or
unexpected.
 Medical facilities must have manual methods
available to accomplish all of the tasks a
computer does.
 Examples: patient admissions, bed
assignments, medical records, ordering,
scheduling, etc.
.
22

Computers Can Be Our Friends
 They can make our jobs
simpler. Examples:
– Data analysis
– Presentation of information
– Internet
– Databases
– Appointment scheduling
(coordinate multiple appts,
auto reminders)
– Patient monitoring
– Medical claims
Paperless records
(pharmacy, lab results,
radiology)
Information at our
fingertips (electronic
medical records)
Email systems
Off site/telemedicine
Payroll, employee info
Communication
Create documents (word
processing, spreadsheets)
23

Ethics and Confidentiality
 The health care worker must remember
the importance of ethics and confidentiality
when using a computer.
 Computers contain privileged information
that must be protected.
 Keep your identifications codes and
passwords confidential to protect you and
the patient.
. 24

Communication
 Email (Electronic Mail)
– A means of creating and sending messages from one
computer to another using a system of networks.
– Now a standard professional communication tool.
– Can attach documents and files.
– It is essential that email messages be clear and
accurate.
– Keep messages brief and to the point.
– No personal email correspondence - employers have
the right to read and monitor any messages sent
through their computers.
25

Telemedicine
 Medicine is practiced over telephone lines.
 Images, such as x-rays can be transmitted.
 Benefits:
– Allows patient access to specialists located far away.
– Communicate vital signs from home to a facility.
– Perform physical exams from a distance.
– Link physicians to emergency medical workers in the
field.
– Technology is advancing more quickly than society.
26

Telepharmacies
 Allow dispensing of drugs at sites other than
pharmacies.
 Instructions for prescriptions are sent to a
computerized dispensing unit over telephone
lines.
 The dispensing unit prepares and releases the
exact dosage.
 Safety features are built into the system to
prevent incorrect types and amounts of drugs
from being dispensed.
27

Virtual Communities
 Individuals who use the Internet to communicate
and share information.
 Discussion groups and methods for exchanging
information can be very valuable.
 Health care workers and patients can share
information and experiences about specific health
conditions.
 Examples:
– Chat rooms – correspond in real time.
– Listserves – receiving a newsletter/info on
specific topics.
28

Internet
 Began as a method for government authorities
to communicate in case of a nuclear attack.
 Has rapidly grown to become a principal means
of communicating, conducting business,
shopping, learning, and securing needed
information.
 Medical uses for the Internet:
– Organ transplant databases.
– Research and information.
– Patient education.
29

Summary
 Computers are an essential part of health
care and also a necessity.
 All health care services have gained a
greater ability to treat, diagnose, and care
for patients through computerization.
 Every health care worker should have
basic computer literacy.
 Bottom line – computers DO enhance the
quality of patient care!!!
30

31
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

Computer in medical technolog (1)

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