Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Chapter 19: Computers and Other Technology

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Introduction Technology has had a huge impact on health care Virtually all health care workers now rely on computers Patient care is enhanced Health care providers have increased responsibilities with technology

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care Examples of Uses of Computers in Health Care –Electronic billing –Scheduling appointments –Tracking inventory –Clinical applications –Data reporting –Patient & home health monitoring –Medication dispensing –Provider & patient communication –Diagnostic testing & imaging –Lab testing & data analysis –Education –Time management

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) General Uses of Computers –Clinical & administrative purposes –Communication –Common office applications: Word processing

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) Hardware: Key Components of a Computer –Central processing unit (CPU) –Random access memory (RAM) –Hard drive –Input devices –Monitor –Printer –Secondary storage systems

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) Hardware: Types of Computers –Desktop –Laptop –Tablet –Personal digital assistant (PDA) –Smart phone

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) Common PDA Applications –Address book –Calendar – –Word processing

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) PDA Applications for Health Care –Assessing patients’ charts –Using pharmacy & formulary dosing tools –Assessing Micromedex –Downloading & viewing health books & journals –Viewing procedures not routinely performed –Setting up virtual offices –Viewing financial information

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) –Enhances communication –Promotes teamwork –Eliminates phone tag –Provides written documentation of messages

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) Rules for –Ensure compliance with HIPAA’s privacy rule in patient s –Do not use an office account for personal messages –Do not forward chain or inappropriate s from office account –Keep messages professional –Use encryption

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) Word Processing –Be clear, accurate, & professional –Use medical dictionary for spell checking –Follow HIPAA’s privacy rule

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) Research –Wealth of health-related information on Internet –Use only trusted web sites –Use health care search engines instead of regular –Use effective key words to focus search engine research

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) Document Transmission –Medical information can be shared rapidly & securely –Use the security method employed at your facility

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) Guidelines for Computer Security –Never give out passwords or access codes –Do not leave a computer terminal unattended –Never create, change, or delete records without authority –Regularly back up files –Use office Internet access only for work tasks –Obtain test results only for patients being treated –Follow office policies & procedures on privacy & confidentiality –Patient consent is required for release of patient information

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) Guidelines for Passwords –Include both letters & numbers –Do not use initials, birthdates, or phone numbers –Change system-wide passwords when employees leave practice –Do not leave out written notes containing passwords –Include additional password verification for sensitive information

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) Uses of Computers in Health Care –Electronic collection & management of health information is increasing –Computers improve health care in: Quality Safety Efficiency Cost effectiveness

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) Health Informatics –Integration of information technology & health care –Optimizes process used to obtain, store, & use health info –Quick, efficient, & secure transmission –Ease of sharing –Better, more efficient health care delivery

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) Electronic Medical Records: Information Contained –Patient identification data –Clinic & inpatient notes –Preventive care delivery –Laboratory data –Radiology data –Pharmacy data –Surgical procedures performed –Emergency department visits –Billing information

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) Example of electronic medical record input screen

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) –Best practices –Preventative care –Diagnosis & treatment plans –Condition-specific guidelines –Monitoring of medication orders –Procedure authorization –Avoidance of duplicate or unnecessary tests –Referrals & referral follow-up –Coding & documentation

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) Computerized Physician Order Entry System (CPOE) –Allows certain licensed professionals to enter medical orders –Reduces possibility of error occurring

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) Health Care Education –Online or application access to much information: Signs & symptoms Disease descriptions Recent research studies Government health regulations –Quick & easy access via handheld devices & computers

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) Reporting Systems –Collect various types of data pertaining to patient care –Share data with government agencies & other providers –Assist in treatment of patients –Can help diagnose, treat, & stop spread of disease –Capture & track: Medication errors Patient accidents or falls Patient misidentification Post-surgical infections

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) Patient Monitoring –Constant electronic watch over a patient’s: Physical status Vital signs –Computer-controlled medication dispensing systems –Patient home health monitoring (telemonitoring)

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) Diagnostics –Electroconvulsion therapy (ECT) –Computerized tomography (CT) scan –Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) –Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Computers in Health Care (cont’d) Laboratory Tests and Data Analysis –Computer analysis of patient’s blood sample –Computer analysis of bodily fluids

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Other Technology in Health Care Key Technological Advances –Digital imaging technology –Noninvasive & robotic surgery –Telemedicine: consultation among physicians at a distance –Telesurgery: surgical care from a distance –Genetic testing & mapping –Brain-machine interface for control of prosthetic limbs –Robotic hands

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Other Technology in Health Care (cont’d) Globalization and Outsourcing of Health Care –Overseas outsourcing of: Billing Coding Transcription –Emphasis on cost reduction

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Staying Current in Technology Continuing Education Courses –Required for recertification in many health care careers –Help professionals stay up to date with new technologies –Classes, seminars, & online courses offered by professional organizations –Professional publications –In-service educational opportunities offered by employers

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Staying Current in Technology (cont’d) Self-Directed Study –Software applications with: Tutorials User’s manual Help screens –Online resources provided by professional journals