Review Questions

Review Questions

1. Why is it essential for today’s health care worker to be computer literate?

Computers are now used in all areas of health care delivery. All health care workers function as information managers. The ability to use computers has become an important workplace competency. The correct use of computers permits:

* Accessing huge amounts of stored information

* Calculating and manipulating patient data quickly and accurately

* Enabling high-speed communication

2. List at least three computer applications for health care in each of the following areas:

Information management: allows selection of appropriate patient treatment, preparation of reports for regulatory agencies, and justification of costs for insurance billing

Creation of documents: allows creation of concise, error-free documents to deliver home-care instructions, provide very accurate medical reports, and produce research reports

Numerical calculations: provides spreadsheets for accounting and financial management, quickly and automatically performs statistical analysis, and creates databases for future reference

Integration of operations: computer-integrated health care information systems permit patient record keeping, appointment scheduling, insurance coding, billing, and report creation through the use of a single, coordinated data input system

Diagnostics: diagnoses are aided and enhanced by computers with quicker analysis of blood and other body fluids, creation of soft-tissue images, and more efficient viewing of internal body organs

Treatment: many new treatment methods use computers, including robotic surgery, laser scanning and tissue removal, and modeling for cosmetic surgery

Patient monitoring: monitoring of critical body functions with built-in alarms to warn health care worker of variances to the norm, charting and record keeping on the patient can be entered electronically, information can be entered from remote locations with the use of a laptop, a camera can be used in conjunction for evaluation and documentation of improvement

Research: research is enhanced by computers because large databases like MEDLARS, the National Library of Medicine database, or other published information services like PsychINFO (Psychological Abstracts database) can be quickly scanned for point-of-interest data or to match biological data using bioinformatics (organizing biological data into databases)

Education: computers allow a variety of new educational tactics/techniques, ranging from long-distance learning, in which learners literally access and tie into education providers; to use of CDs, which permit accessing particular information sources; to using computers to simulate reality and permit learners to study care/surgery techniques on virtual humans before treating real people

Communication: communication using computers ranges from obtaining needed drugs from a pharmacy to conveying information over a LAN (Local Area Network linking, for example, a hospital and attending physicians’ offices), to accessing medical research using the Internet with its world-wide scope

3. What is the difference between computer hardware and software?

Hardware is the computer’s physical components, for example, the CPU (the central processing unit), which manages a computer’s operations. Software contains the instructions needed to permit the computer to function and is loaded onto the computer from diskettes or CDs.

4. What are five ways to properly handle and care for computer hardware?

In order to properly handle computer hardware:

* Never bring down a mouse sharply on a hard surface.
* Do not pull or jerk cables, wires, or peripherals.
* Keep liquids away from any computer hardware.
* Keep all hardware free of dust and food crumbs.
* Clean all hardware in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

5. What are six guidelines for using computers effectively?

To use a computer effectively:

* Verify the accuracy of all data you enter.
* Always back up your work/computerized data.
* Stay legal; particularly avoid copyright infringement.
* Keep up with the rapid pace of computer advancements.
* Do not panic when the computer “acts up.”
* Avoid injury with prolonged or improper use.

6. How can the health care worker help ensure the security of computerized records?

To help ensure the security of computerized records:

* Do not use an obvious password like a nickname.
* Clear your monitor’s screen before leaving the work area.
* Keep unauthorized personnel away from work area.
* Shred discarded printouts before trashing them.

7. What are three ways the health care worker can learn more about using computers?

To learn more about using computers:

* Take classes.
* Read the manuals that come with the hardware/software.
* Work through tutorials and help menus provided with software.
* Explore the software you have installed.
* Read some of the many books available to all levels of users.