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12:1 INTRODUCTION

Greatest advancement in information processing since invention of printing press

Use of computers a necessity in health care

USES IN HEALTH CARE

Hospital or medical information systems (HIS or MIS)

Diagnostic testing

Education of health care personnel

Research: statistical analysis of data

COMPUTER LITERACY

Ability to understand basics of how a computer

works and applications used in your field or profession

Essential to health care professionals

Comfort in using a computer for job

Practice and experience in using computers

is necessary to develop computer literacy

HISTORY OF THE COMPUTER

First computers installed in late 1950s and early 1960s

Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC)

Microchips

Sizes of computers

12:2 WHAT IS A COMPUTER SYSTEM?

Electronic device that is a complete

information processing system

Hardware—machine components

Software—programs or instructions

INPUT DEVICES

Information is entered into the computer by means of an input device

Computer keyboardMagnetic tapeTouch screen monitorOptical scannerMouseLight pen

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

OUTPUT DEVICES

Output is the finished work of the computer system

Occurs after data has been processed by the CPU

Printer

Video display

Forms of output

12:3 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Word processing

Compiling databases

Scheduling

Maintaining financial records

Monitoring patients

Performing diagnostic tests

(continues)

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS(CONTINUED)

Maintaining inventories

Developing spreadsheets

Communicating through modems

EXAMPLES OF USES

Health information technician

Physician

Pharmacist

Dietician

Laboratory technician

Nurse

Environmental service worker

COMPUTER USES AND ISSUES

Hand-held portable computerConfidentiality for strict

enforcementContingency backup plan

essential

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS FOR DIAGNOSTICS

Computer-based diagnostic tests

Analyzing blood tests

Electrocardiogram (ECG) computerized interpretation systems

Computerized tomography (CT)

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

(continues)

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS FOR DIAGNOSTICS(CONTINUED)Positron emission tomography

(PET)UltrasonographyOncology

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATION

Computer-assisted instruction (CAI)

Interactive video or computer-assisted video technology

Internet for distance learning and licensure examinations

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

Available information from the National Library

of Medicine databaseStatistical Package for Social

Sciences (SPSS) to prepare and analyze

dataComputer technology research

world-wide, known as bioinformatics

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS FOR COMMUNICATION

Networks—computers linked together in health care facilities

Internet—links computers located around the world

Electronic mail (e-mail)Telemedicine for medical/health

care use

(continues)

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS FOR COMMUNICATION(CONTINUED)

E-medicine for contacting physicians

Telepharmacies speed up the process of

dispensing medicinesListserve mailing lists for sharing health information

12:4 USING THE INTERNET

Network of computer usersModem—electronic device to

send or receive data

Browser—software to access the Internet for information

Many services and sources available for the health care professional

SEARCH ENGINES

Defined as a database of Internet filesEngines include: search program,

index, and retrieval program

Types of search engines: crawler-based, human-powered, mixed

Many different search engines available

SEARCHING THE WEB

Must develop a strategyIdentify key wordsCombine key wordsVary your searchUse different search enginesEvaluate the source of all

informationIdentify the source

(continues)

SEARCHING THE WEB(CONTINUED)

Determine the authorCheck for accuracyVerify important dataLook for signs of qualityCheck for currencyHealth care workers are able to

research many topics on the Internet; can

be an excellent learning tool

12:5 COMPUTER PROTECTION AND SECURITY

Health care computerized records need to be safe and secure

Loss of information can result from electrical

problems, viruses, hackers, and breach of confidentiality

(continues)

COMPUTER PROTECTION AND SECURITY(CONTINUED)

Protecting a computer from electrical problems includes

Uninterrupted power supply (UPS)Daily backups onto compact disksStorage of data to external location

(continues)

COMPUTER PROTECTION AND SECURITY(CONTINUED)

Viruses are able to enter a computerwhen downloading information or programs

by opening e-mailswhen using different disks that contain viruses

Installation of antivirus software will

give protection(continues)

COMPUTER PROTECTION AND SECURITY(CONTINUED)

Other computers, outside programs, and hackers can gain access

Firewalls are needed for protection

Network computers only within the health care facility

Use dedicated computer to send information to outside source (continues)

COMPUTER PROTECTION AND SECURITY(CONTINUED)

Confidentiality is of the utmost importance

for patient recordsGuidelines have been

establishedRequirements of the Health

Insurance and Portability Act (HIPAA)

SUMMARY

Computers used as cost-effective and

efficient toolsEnhance quality patient careUsed for many areas of health careComputer technology has had

tremendous impact on health care

(continues)

SUMMARY(CONTINUED)

Used for health care researchInternet has opened up a

plethora of available information

Health care workers need to protect

computerized records/information