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Introduction to Computer Systems for Health

Information Technology

Chapter 1:Introduction to Computers

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History of Computers in Healthcare

• 1960s– Financial applications

• 1970s– Departmental computer systems– Dummy terminals– Hard drives

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History of Computers in Healthcare

• 1980s and 1990s– Personal computers– Increase in speed– Specialized software– Networking

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Technology’s Impact on HIM Profession in 1990s

• Electronic billing• Charge description master• Networking of systems

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Impact of Computers

• Patient care– World Wide Web– Patient health record

• Finance and reimbursement– Reimbursement systems

• Public health and epidemiology– Secondary data– Track trends

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Impact of Computers

• Research– Clinical trials

• Education– Used in classrooms– Distance education– Internet databases

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Hardware

• Portion of the computer that can be touched• Examples

– Hard drive– Monitor– Mouse– Keyboard– Printer

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Hardware – Central Processing Unit

• Megahertz • Cache memory• Random Access Memory

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Hardware – Types of Computers

• Mainframe• Laptop computes• Handheld device

– Personal digital assistant

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Hardware – Peripherals

• Examples– Keyboard– Mouse– Printer– Scanner– Monitor– Speakers– Flash drive

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Hardware – Common Input Devices

• Keyboard• Mouse• Light pen• Touch screens• Scanner• Digital camera and video• Microphone

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Hardware – Common Input Devices

• Docking station• Optical character recognition

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Hardware within Computer

• Personal computer– CPU– Motherboard– Memory chips

• Random Access Memory• Read-Only Memory• Cache

– System files

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Hardware within Computer

• Ports– Traditional types

• Serial port• Parallel port

– Modern types• USB port• Firewire• Infrared light beam port• Bluetooth

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Hardware within Computer

• Modem• Video card• Sound card• Fan• Expansion slots

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Hardware within Computer

• Bus– Internal bus– External bus– Address bus– Data bus

• Surge protectors

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Output Devices

• Monitor– Resolution– Pixel

• megapixel

– LCD screen– Plasma screens

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Output Devices

• Printers– Dot matrix

• Dots per inch

– Laser printer– Thermal printers– Ink jet printers– Multifunction printer

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Output Devices

• Speakers• Data projector

– Keystoning

• Scanner• Optical disc

– Write once read many

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Wireless Connection

• Wi-Fi

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Notebook PC

• Laptop• Wireless computers

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Software

• Instructions to operate– Operating systems– Application software– Utility programs

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Software

• Multitasking• Device driver• Enterprise software

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Programming Languages

• Bit• Byte• Sample software languages

– FORTRAN– COBOL– BASIC– Java– C++

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Internet Programming Languages

• Hypertext markup language• Extensible markup language• Generalized markup language

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Communication and Internet Technologies

• Network– Hub– Peer-to-peer

• Firewall• Routes• Client-server networks• Local area network• Wide area network

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Interfaces

• Connection between computer and network

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Internet Connections in Networks

• Ethernet• Wireless• Fiberoptic• Modems

– Dial-up– Cable– Digital subscriber line

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Internet Connections in Networks

• Wireless cards

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Types of Networks

• Bus• Star• Token ring• Tree (hierarchical)• Hybrid• Daisy chain network

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Internet Technologies

• Internet– Internet service provider– High speed

• T1• T3

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Internet Technologies

• Intranet• Extranet

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Computerized Records

• Electronic health record• Electronic medical record• Computerized patient record

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Computerized Records – Factors

• Instant access• Automatic transfer of data• 100% availability• Interface with other hospital systems• User friendly• Secure security semantics• Confidentiality• Integrity of system

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Computerized Records – Benefits

• Improved access to education resources• Decreased clinical errors• Reduced redundant data entry• Reduced duplicate testing• Improved data analysis• Improved record accessibility• Increased accountability for accurate and complete

records

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Computerized Records – Benefits

• Improved patient confidentiality and record security

• Consistent data presentation• Increased patient healthcare communications• Increased efficiency• Reduced operating costs

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Computerized Records – Benefits

• Frees up space for document storage• Reduced lost or misfiled documents• Improved workflow• Increased reimbursement turnaround time• Ensured backup and disaster recovery