Computers in Healthcare Essay

In solely aspects of lifehome, work, sociallya primary understanding of computer operation is by and large a necessity. Even the medical sphere has pop off dependent on computers, both to record vital patient information, but also for billing, researching maladies, and prescribing medicines. This report takes a look at how and why health c are professionals exercising computers, where computers are used in the health care system, and how all this new technology is affecting the medical field for both the patient and provider. wellness Care Professionals use computers because they boost productivity. wellness care staff, for instance, nominate more easily keep and find medical records. Specific computer programs also allow docs to analyze patient data both statistically and mathematically, which leads to the creation of multimedia patient records.A multimedia file is an image, text file, a video snip or audio fileanything that mint be displayed or played on computer monitors o r speakers. An example, a cardiologist can use a computer to scan a patients EKG s teddy, and then attach that image to the patients permanent record for future quality (Spekowius and Wendler 38-39). The ability to store patient data on a computer hard drive reduces paperwork, and the tot 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 needed information.Beyond simplifying office paperwork, computers also open lines of communication between the patient and physician. Physicians who engage in emailing can easier answer 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, insurance claims, as well as charting and researching graphics. care for 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 catch increasingly necessary for diagnosis, research, number 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 subject fields also may use computers to order and receive their prescriptions without having to make a special trip into town or even leave their home.This is a particularly valuable tool for the elderly. Also, physicians now are able to type prescrip tions 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 run across images. Computers are especially important when examining images radiologists depend on digital radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, and supersonic imaging (Trovato). Computers can also enable a radiologist to view an emergency case from home, minify the response time when dealing with a crisis land site.In radiology it is imperative that the computer system be powerful enough to observe very fine images faulty screen imaging could lead to a false analysis, and possibly compromise patient health (Leach). Computers are also used in mental process to produce a three-dimensional image of the organ that is being operated on. This technology is especially useful to chi ldlike surgeons, small clinics and developing countries where such sophisticated imagery has previously been unavailable. In addition, this type of surgery is little invasive 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 unnecessary and ineffective treatments (Mandel). Computers also allow access to the internet, which can be a very useful tool when bear witnessing to run an office. Connecting to the World Wide Web can help lower costs, impro ve patient/member service 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, pause health problems, 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 overflowing with medical information, which is both useful for patients and possibly detrimental. Some patients who should see a doctor instead try and self-diagnose using information gleaned from computer research. So many medical sources exist on computersmuch of it valid, levelheaded informationthat a person baron read the symptoms and believe they have a particular unhealthiness and try to treat themselves.Faulty treatment of a medical problem could lead to more honorable medical problems down the road. Another pitfall to consider is how web sites allow a person to undertake medical advice by querying a so-c alled physician online. The problem That advice may be coming from an licensed 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 extol if computers do a better job than humans. The answer Yes, due to a computers unflawed memory. Even though physicians have the desire to be efficient and thorough when it comes to their patients, they are human and they at times make mistakes.Computers accurately remember 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 obvious 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 los t. 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