Applications of Computers in Hospitals and Their Types
Computers can perform multiple tasks with maximum efficiency, so they are used in hospitals for maintaining patient information, medical research, use in Surgical procedures, medical equipment, and Imaging.
Hospital information systems, data analysis in medicine, medical imaging laboratory computing, computer-aided medical decision-making, care of critically sick patients, computer-assisted therapy, and other applications are major uses of computers in medicine. Let’s learn about it further ahead.
Types of Computers Used in Hospitals
Desktop Computers: These are regular computers with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. They are used by hospital staff for tasks like managing patient records, scheduling, and billing.
Laptop Computers: Laptops are portable and are used by doctors and nurses to move around the hospital while accessing patient data and updating records.
Tablets: Tablets are handheld devices that allow doctors and nurses to quickly access patient information, check medical records, or enter data at the patient’s bedside.
Servers: Servers store large amounts of hospital data, like patient records and test results, and help share this information across different departments.
Workstations: These are specialised computers that are used by doctors and medical professionals to view detailed medical images like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs.
Medical Equipment Computers: Some hospital machines, like heart monitors, MRI machines, or ventilators, have built-in computers to monitor and control the equipment’s functions.
10 Uses of Computers in Hospitals
1. Maintain Patient Information
Patient information is kept organised, safe, and readily available on a computer. In an emergency, medical staff needs quick access to patient records. There are fewer risks of data loss or mismatching while using a computer.
Patient Records in Hospital
2. Monitor Patients
Hospitals now utilise computers to keep track of vital signs like heart rate and blood pressure. Additionally, the computer monitoring system gathers helpful patient data. It is possible to retrieve this data for future use in research or other purposes.
Monitoring Patients in Hospital
3. Medical Research
To understand more about a certain ailment, clinicians may now search medical databases. The ability of medical staff to obtain and apply knowledge is being improved through the use of computers in healthcare.
Medical Research in Hospital
4. Inventory
Knowing what medications are on hand is crucial for a patient's therapy. The rehabilitation process might be slowed down if a doctor prescribes a medication that is out of stock, thus it is essential to keep an inventory list up to date. In the meanwhile, inventory control is crucial for hospitals and medical facilities. Therefore, inventory managers can track stock levels thanks to computers.
Inventory in Hospital.
5. Use in Surgical Procedures
Computers are capable of performing multiple tasks with precision, so the use of computers in operating rooms can save lives. For completing complicated treatments, surgeons rely on computers.
Use of Computer in a Hospital.
6. Medical Equipment and Imaging
Computers are widely used to operate medical machinery that conducts crucial medical tests including ultrasonography, CT scans, MRIs, blood tests, etc. Doctors also utilise computers to display their findings and describe the illness and course of therapy. Computers may be used for 3D modelling and drawing.
Computer Imaging in Hospital
7. Communication
The use of computers for communication amongst healthcare professionals helps the staff and makes their job easier because they are sometimes quite busy. Healthcare staff can communicate in real-time chat on a computer to share important information. It is preferable than receiving texts or post-it notes.
Communication in Hospital
8. Telemedicine
The act of treating patients remotely while neither the patient nor the practitioner is present physically is considered to be telemedicine. Doctors may now connect with patients and other medical personnel thanks to computers and cell phones. During natural calamities, telemedicine is crucial as well.
Telemedicine in Hospital
9. Customer Services
Hospitals now use automated systems like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to provide regular customer services to the patients (like payments, making demands, and complaints).
Customer Services on a Computer in Hospital
10. Online Payment
Hospitals now make use of online payment portals to enable patients to pay their hospital bills online. This reduces the chances of errors and the task is performed in minimum time.
Online Payments in Hospital
Solved Questions
1. How do computers help doctors to treat patients?
Ans: Computers are very useful for doctors to treat their patients as they help in maintaining important patient information, monitoring patients, performing surgical procedures, and helping with medical equipment and imaging.
2. How are computers used in scans?
Ans: Computers are widely used to operate medical machinery that conducts crucial medical tests including ultrasonography, CT scans, MRIs, blood tests, etc. Doctors also utilise computers to display their findings and describe the illness and course of therapy. Computers may be used for 3D modelling and drawing.
3. What is telemedicine?
Ans: Doctors may now connect with patients and other medical personnel thanks to computers and cellphones. The act of treating patients remotely while neither the patient nor the practitioner is present physically is considered to be telemedicine. During natural calamities, telemedicine is crucial as well.
Learning by Doing
Choose the Correct Answer.
In hospitals, what of the following are computers used for?
Play music
Research
Teach students
How does a computer help a doctor treat their patients?
(A) Computer maintains the record of a patient.
(B) With the aid of computers, doctors examine the internal organs of the patient.
(C) Both (A) and (B)
(D) None of these.
Write True or False:
1. In hospitals, computers are used to detect illnesses. (T/F)
2. Computers used in Scans. (T/F)
3. Computers do not help in Surgical Procedures. (T/F)
4. Computers do not help to monitor patients. (T/F)
Learning about computers is so fun yet interesting, Kids can learn about computers from the start and can use Computer Basics, which is a simple and helpful guide to understand them better.
Summary
In hospitals, computers are utilised to detect illnesses and analyse the human body's interior organs. Computers are used to perform CAT scans, imaging, ultrasound, surgery, post-operative care, and eye diagnostics. They are also used to preserve patient data, track development, and locate treatments. Hospital information systems, data analysis in medicine, medical imaging laboratory computing, computer-aided medical decision-making, care of critically sick patients, computer-assisted therapy, and other applications are among the major uses of computers in medicine. Hence, it is evident that computers form an integral part of a smooth functioning hospital or diagnostic centre.
FAQs on Uses of Computers in Hospital
1. How do computers help monitor patients?
Computers help to keep track of vital signs like heart rate and blood pressure. Additionally, the computer monitoring system gathers helpful and crucial patient data. It is possible to retrieve this data for future use in research or other purposes.
2. Give five uses of computers in hospitals.
Computers are utilised in hospitals for preserving patient information, medical research, and usage in surgical operations, medical equipment, and imaging because they can execute several jobs with the greatest efficiency.
3. How do computers help doctors in treating far-off patients?
Telemedicine helps doctors in treating far-off patients during natural calamities. The act of treating patients remotely while neither the patient nor the practitioner is present physically is considered to be telemedicine. Doctors can easily connect with patients and other medical personnel through computers and cell phones.
4. What is the use of computers in hospitals?
Computers in hospitals are essential for managing patient records, conducting medical research, performing diagnostic imaging, assisting in surgeries, and facilitating communication among healthcare professionals.
5. What is the application of computers in hospitals?
Computers in hospitals are applied for:
Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Digitally storing patient information for easy access and updates.
Medical Imaging: Creating and analysing images from diagnostic tools.
Telemedicine: Facilitating remote healthcare services.
Research and Data Analysis: Supporting medical research through data management.
Surgical Assistance: Aiding in complex surgeries with precision tools.
6. What is the application of computers in clinical settings?
In clinical settings, computers are used for:
Patient Data Management: Organising and accessing patient information efficiently.
Diagnostic Support: Assisting in interpreting test results and images.
Treatment Planning: Developing personalised care plans based on data analysis.
Communication: Enhancing interaction among healthcare teams.
Education: Providing resources for continuous learning and training.
7. What are the uses of computer in nursing?
Nurses use computers for:
Patient Record Keeping: Documenting and retrieving patient information.
Medication Management: Tracking prescriptions and administering medications.
Monitoring: Observing patient vital signs through connected devices.
Scheduling: Organising shifts and patient appointments.
Education: Accessing medical literature and training materials.
8. How do computers assist in patient monitoring within hospitals?
Computers play a crucial role in patient monitoring by integrating with medical devices to track vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. These systems can alert healthcare providers to any abnormalities, enabling prompt intervention. For example, computers can control lab equipment, blood pressure monitors, heart rate monitors, and other important medical equipment, notifying staff if something is not right.
10. How do computers support telemedicine services in hospitals?
Computers are integral to telemedicine by enabling remote consultations between patients and healthcare providers. Through video conferencing, secure messaging, and data sharing, patients can receive medical advice and follow-up care without the need for in-person visits. This is particularly beneficial for patients in remote areas or those with mobility challenges.
