Computers in Healthcare Essay Example for Free

Computers in Healthc are EssayIn all aspects of lifehome, work, sociallya basic understanding of ready reckoner motion is by and vainglorious a necessity. Even the health check field has become dependent on computing machines, both to record vital diligent information, but also for billing, researching maladies, and prescribing medicines. This report takes a look at how and why health care professionals use computers, where computers are used in the health care system, and how all this new technology is touching the medical field for both the patient and provider. Health Care Professionals use computers because they boost productivity. Health care mental faculty, for instance, send word more easily keep and rise to power medical records. Specific computer programs also allow medicos to analyze patient data both statistically and mathematically, which leads to the creation of mul sequencedia system patient records.A multimedia file is an image, text file, a video clip or audio fileanything that give the gate be displayed or played on computer monitors or speakers. An example, a cardiologist can use a computer to scan a patients EKG strip, and then attach that image to the patients permanent record for future reference (Spekowius and Wendler 38-39). The ability to store patient data on a computer hard drive reduces paperwork, and the number of staff members needed to maintain that paperwork. Having a patients file just a few computer clicks away also cuts down on the time it takes a physician to locate the necessary information.Beyond simplifying office paperwork, computers also open lines of communication between the patient and physician. Physicians who engage in emailing can easier reaction patient questions, and cut down on phone calls. Computers are used throughout the Health Care System. Clerical staff relies on computers for reports, memos, patient records, billing, statistics, indemnification claims, as well as charting and researching graphics. Nursing stations depend on computers for reports, patient records, along with hospital information systems. And computers are critical in the operation of patient monitors, medication delivery systems and lab equipment (Spekowius and Wendler 76).Also, in medical education, computers are essential for Computer Aided Instruction, Computer Managed Instruction, and Interactive Multi-media systems (Forman and Pomerantz). Beyond all of these uses, the computer has become increasingly necessary for diagnosis, research, publication retrieval (National Library of Medicine), and automated patient interview and history. Computers have become increasingly vital to Pharmacies. With the use of computers, pharmacists can fill prescriptions, control the dispensing, and talk with the patients through a video hookup. People living in remote areas also may use computers to order and put one across their prescriptions without having to make a special trip into town or even leave their home. This is a particularly valu able tool for the elderly. Also, physicians now are able to typesetters case prescriptions into computers and email them to pharmacists, cutting down on errors because of sloppy doctor handwriting. Computers have become commonplace in Radiology. Radiologists use computers to prepare and store patient case histories, prepare conference talks, and to examine images. Computers are especially important when examining images radiologists depend on digital radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imagery, nuclear medicine, and ultrasonic imaging (Trovato). Computers can also enable a radiologist to view an emergency case from home, reducing the response time when dealing with a crisis situation.In radiology it is imperative that the computer system be powerful enough to observe very fine images faulty screen imaging could lead to a dour analysis, and possibly compromise patient health (Leach). Computers are also used in surgery to produce a thre e-dimensional image of the organ that is be operated on. This technology is especially useful to young surgeons, small clinics and developing countries where such sophisticated imagery has previously been unavailable. In addition, this type of surgery is less trespassing(a) on the patient, so recovery time and cost are reduced.Genetics is another area of medicine in which the use of computers has been increasingly useful. Pharmacogenomics, for instance, helps determine what drugs are compatible with a patients gene type. Gene information obtained from a patient blood sample is entered into the computer, which then determines which drugs may not be compatible before dispensing. In the future doctors may be able to use a similar method to determine the most effective type of chemotherapy for a cancer patient. This could save a patient from having a series of supernumerary and ineffective treatments (Mandel). Computers also allow access to the Internet, which can be a very useful too l when trying to run an office. Connecting to the World Wide Web can help lower costs, improve patient/member dish up and assist in the delivery of better-coordinated care.The physician is able to compile and analyze data from a single or multiple number of sources, reveal health paradoxs, and even gains a better understanding of a treatments financial performance. Also, the Internet is a great marketing tool for a physicians medical practice. The Internet is awash with medical information, which is both useful for patients and possibly detrimental. Some patients who should see a doctor instead try and self-diagnose development information gleaned from computer research. So many medical sources exist on computersmuch of it valid, good informationthat a person might read the symptoms and commit they have a particular disease and try to treat themselves.Faulty treatment of a medical problem could lead to more serious medical problems down the road. Another pitfall to consider is h ow web sites allow a person to seek medical advice by querying a so-called physician online. The problem That advice may be coming from an accredited medical personor someone pretending to be a physician. So now with all this talk about how computers can be very beneficial to the medical field, one may wonder if computers do a better job than humans. The answer Yes, due to a computers flawless memory. Even though physicians have the desire to be efficient and thorough when it comes to their patients, they are human and they occasionally make mistakes.Computers accurately think up vast amounts of information, which is especially important these days given all the emerging medical information and technology in the world today (Spekowius and Wendler 439). In conclusion, it is translucent that the medical field has benefited greatly since the advent of computers. Without computers the world would not be as advanced as it is today.New discoveries might never have been made, unnecessary tests and treatments would have been performed, and lives would have been lost. Computers are propelling the medical world into a new dimension where literally anything is possibleincluding increased longevity, cures for cancer and paralysis reversal. It is indeed a win-win situation for physicians and patients.Works CitedForman, Lloyd J. and Sherry C. Pomerantz. Computer-Assisted Instruction A Survey on the Attitudes of Osteopathic Medical Students. JAOA Medical Education (2006) 572-575. Leach, Michelle. Computed Radiography Vs. Digital Radiography. n.d. ehow. February 2013 http//www.ehow.com/about_6836650_computed-radiography-vs_-digital-radiog