Computers in Medicine

1. Computers in Medicine Will Henderson, Erica Deahl, Neal Robinson

2. Robots • Robotic surgery is a new advancement in surgery. Robotic surgery allows the surgeon to operate through the aid of a robot. • This enables the surgeon to make smaller incisions and operate through the use of a camera and “arms”.

3. Advantages To Robotic Surgery • Cuts down on simple human error, because the surgeon is seated and relaxed. • Smaller incision means smaller scars and faster recovery. The incision would normally be nearly 10 times as big. • Cleaner, less chance of an infection.

4. Training • There are several ways that computers have aided students in their training and education. • On-line schools such as http://www.lincolncollegeonline-usa.com • Lincoln offers online courses on management and running a doctor’s office. • Some operations can even be simulated on a computer monitor and the surgeon practices decision making and other skills.

5. Easy Access to Medical Files • This can help them in the ER if a patient is non-responsive and the doctors can find out important information. • It can help if a patient needs to have tests done or seek other opinions. • Makes switching doctors easy. • Also can access family history and check for on-going family illnesses.

6. Treatment • Computers are vital to monitor patients staying in hospitals. • Through the use of a computer a nurse can be paged if a patients heart-rate drops or if their body temperature rises. • It can also control things like IVs and change their speed if necessary. • This way one nurse can monitor several patients without actually being in the room.

7. WebMD • www.webMD.com is a free website with information on nearly everything medical related. • It is a compilation site that covers anything from drugs, diets, illnesses, and symptoms. • It also has information on nearby specialists. • Has information on prescription drugs and side effects.

8. Electronic Medical Records This is a safe way for medical practices to electronically keep all the data of their patients.

9. Advantages of Electronic Medical Records • Improve Efficiency • Save money and earn money ($3) chart • Increase # of patients (speed) • Allows medications to be managed easily and sufficiently • Accurate documentation of patients

10. Electronic Prescriptions • Electronic prescription systems are being designed to increase in quality of care. These systems are able to check the dosage of the medicine and ensure that it will not cause a reaction or bad event based on the history of that particular patient.

11. Electronic Prescriptions • The accuracy of handwritten prescriptions don’t even compare to electronic ones • 4% error rate on electronic prescription to a 34% error rate on handwritten prescriptions • Greatest reason for error is communication, such as the pharmacists not being able to read the doctors handwriting.

12. Advantages of Computers in Medicine • Avoid illegal handwriting • Help identify patients • More easily collect data • Data can be transferred very quick and can travel long distances • Improve medical education by decreasing the amount of time and effort needed to know all the necessary information

13. Disadvantages of Computers in Medicine • Less useful for people who don’t type fast enough • Viruses and technical problems • Fear that data in computers can be used against doctors and hospitals • Make the relationship with the doctor and the patient less personal • Computers can get fairly expensive

14. Computer Software • Can be used for diagnosis of diseases • Can be used for identifying internal organs in the body • Can also be used to examine delicate organs in the body • Some complex surgeries can be performed with the aid of computers

15. Epocrates • Is one of the many software’s used in Medical computers • Has 2600+ medications • Includes packaging and pricing information • Medical prescriptions are automatically updated • Formulary available for AK, CA, DE, GA, MA, MN, OR, TX, WA, AZ, CT, FL, KN, MI, MO, OH, PA, VA • Alternative medication application in development

16. Medical Appliances with small programmed computers • X-Ray • MRI • Hospital Beds • Emergency Alarm systems

17. History of Computers in Medicine • Started in the 70’s • Main purpose of computerization was labor-saving for the process of insurance claim and the scope was limited only within the administrative section in medical institutions • The physician order entry system (POES) appeared in the 80’s by a centralized system of a host computer and based on the computerization of clinical laboratory and pharmacy

18. History Continued • The POES contributed reducing patient’s waiting time in clinical institutions and also making the process of insurance claim efficient. • The growth of networking, especially the internet in the 90’s enhanced cooperation among clinical professionals or clinical institutions. • The electronic medical record came into existence in a Japan hospital, when it was the first to get rid of paper in 1999.

19. Genome Informatics • 1911- Alfred Sturtevantrealized that he could map the locations of Drosophila genes followed over generations • Problem was managing the enormous amount of data • New computational approaches help analyze and understand the data generated by the Human Genome Project (HGP)

20. Genome Informatics • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDfCHZJw-KE

21. Effect on Jobs • Many offices have replaced paper files with all computers • Opens up opportunities for IT techs, programmers, and other software people • Takes away lower paying, traditional jobs • Expands the budgets of clinics

22. Handheld Computers These small, convenient tools can help doctors do the following things at the same time they are caring for a patient: • Access reference information • Make medical calculations • Improve coding and billing • Track patient data

23. Medical Imaging • Use computers to create images of the human body • Also used in magnetic resonance imaging • Computed tomography is used to form 3-D images • Infrared cameras can be used with computers to create high resolution images

24. Nuclear Medicine • Improved acquisition, display and analysis of radionuclide data • Create ability of radionuclide studies to accurately quantify organ physiology

25. Communication • Computers allow nurses to communicate with each other quickly and easily • Don’t have to worry about tied up phone lines in case of emergency • Can communicate with larger amounts of people at a time • Cut down on costs of long distance calling

26. Advertisting • Websites can be used to market a physician’s practice • Very cost efficient way of advertising • More people will be able to access and see the advertisement

27. Software Programs • A4 Health Systems • Acermed • AdvancedMD • LeonardoMD • Lytec(NDC Health) • Medical Manager (Emdeon Practice Services) • MediSoft(Per-Se Technologies) • Millbrook (GE Medical Systems Information Technologies) • Misys Healthcare Systems • Visionary Medical Systems

28. Bibliography • hesca.org/past_meetings/winnipeg/pdas.ppt • http://www.iit.edu/~marajos/CS485/project/index.html • http://www.anest.ufl.edu/computer/index.html • www.nii.ac.jp/pi/n2/2_3.pdf • http://www.buzzle.com/articles/importance-of-computers-in-medicine.html • http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00760/Advantages%20of%20Robotic%20Surgery.htm • http://www.iit.edu/~marajos/CS485/project/index.html