importance of computerized system?

Question

what is the iportance of computrized system like in the field of medicine?

Answer 1

A computerized system is important in the field of medicine because it allows storage and retrieval of a greatly massive amount of information in a quick and efficient manner, which makes health care more effective. Such things become important when patient records need to be retrieved immediately, such as in the emergency setting, when allergies or other potentially-adverse reactions must be known before medications or anesthetics may be administered -- in this case, a computerized system would allow rapid search of a patient database to locate that information quickly, so that medical management may be appropriately administered.

Answer 2

While Citizen Kane is quite correct in his answer, I'd like to add that computers also help to reduce errors, increase convience and lower costs.

Comptuer used to enter orders alleviate the problem of not being able to read a physician's horrible handwriting (no, not just a sterotype!). The same system can also check to compare the drug to the patient's known drug allergies, instantly. It also allows for more rapid monitoring of the dose and interval of the drugs being given. It can also instanly compare the drug being ordered to all the other drugs being given to avoid an interaction.

Comptuerized charts allow for more rapid generation of the required data. It also alleviates the handwriting problem. It allows the data to be transmitted rapidly or stored in a convient format.

In radiology computerized images can be manipulated to being out subtle findings. It also greatly reduces the storage requirement. It allows "films" to be read anywhere in the hospital. Some hospitals pay physicians in Australia or Israel to read their radiographs during the overnight shift.

In surgery, the comptuers can track equipment used during the procedure to streamline billing. It can also automatically order inventory to keep the OR well stocked. Today, computers can control robots to assist in the surgery! There are voice activated systems that can "lend a hand". There are even robots that are controlled by surgeons that are used to perform the surgery.

In emergency medicine, you can pull up a patients chart to see why they were seen previoulsy. A big help if the patient comes in unconcious.

Comptuers are now also being used to help patients in rehab to learn new skills.

Lots more examples out there.