For years, computers in healthcare served a mostly administrative function. As the technology grew and regulations changed, computers became more and more common in other parts of medical facilities. Today, computers are used everywhere from patient bedsides, medical carts, nurse stations, laboratories, and operating rooms. In this article, we explain some of the most common applications in which healthcare personnel would use computers.
When examining patients, doctors and nurses can take notes and prescribe treatments at the point of care. This eliminates a lot of potential for mistakes from personnel trying to read handwriting or trying to remember the situation later on. It also adds efficiency because doctors and nurses can enter pertinent information on the spot.
Medical PCs are often used to control medical devices that perform CT Scans, ultrasounds, MRIs, or blood tests. They can even be integrated into the equipment itself, saving space. Additionally, doctors and nurses are able to show patients their X-Rays and other images or videos to explain their condition and treatment.
In hospitals, lives can be saved by machine monitoring. Computers now can control lab equipment, blood pressure monitors, heart rate monitors, and other important medical equipment, as well as notify staff if something is not right. In some cases, computers can aid doctors in procedures, making situations more safe and convenient for both the patient and the personnel. While computerized equipment is monitoring a patient, it is also collecting the data constantly so it can be accessed in the future if needed.
Computers in the healthcare field have vastly increased the amount of knowledge that medical staff can access. Doctors can consult medical databases to learn more about a specific disease or treatment plan. Computers can run simulations to try and find causes and cures for diseases and work with other machines to increase the chance of success.
Healthcare staff lead hectic lives. Using computers to communicate adds efficiency and simplicity to
their jobs. Instead of taking messages or leaving notes, they can chat in real-time so important
information is relayed when needed.
Telemedicine is an option available now that wasn’t previously. Doctors are able to communicate via
computers and smart phones with colleagues from all over the world, and patients in rural areas can
receive a diagnosis without travelling to a hospital. In the case of disaster areas, telemedicine
can
greatly improve care when it wouldn’t otherwise be available, like during the Haiti earthquake or in
war
zones.