Informatics And Evidenced Based Practice the need for nurses to be prepared to effectively

use technology to provide evidence-based care.

KEY TERMS
TIGER competencies include:
• Agency for Healthcare Research and
• Basic computer proficiency
Quality
• The ability to identify a clinical questions,
• Boolean operators
find, evaluate, and apply information on
• Centers for Disease Control and
the question (information literacy) and,
Prevention
• The ability to appropriately collect,
• Clinical decision-support systems
process, and communicate data
• Cochrane Databases (information management)
• Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied
Health Literature The TIGER report encourages inclusion of all
• Directory of Open Access Journals three areas in nursing programs as these are key
• Evidence-based practice skills of evidence-based practice.
• Google Scholar Successful use of technology by nurses to
• Interlibrary Loan implement evidence-based practice and thus to
• Literature Search improve patient care requires a basic
• Medical Subject Headings understanding of computer, computer
• National Center for Biotechnology terminology, and data file management.
Information Developing the skill of finding and appraising
• National Guideline Clearinghouse current evidence from research, systematic
• National Library of Medicine reviews of literature, and clinical practice
• Open Access guidelines may be difficult as the nurse moves
• Plan-Do-Study-Act from the academic to practice settings.
• PubMed
Evidenced-based practice is a core skill
• PubMed Advanced Search Builder
necessary to improve nursing care and enhance
• PubMed Clinical Queries
the safety of patients.
• PubMed LinkOut
• PubMed sidebar filters INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION AND
• Rich site filters COMPUTER SCIENCE
• Zotero Computer Architecture
CHAPTER OVERVIEW Computers are used to find, manipulate,
Since the passage of the Affordable Care and store data in an electronic format. In recent
Act in 2009, and with the opportunity to capture years, computers have become more complex
incentive monies from the Centers for Medicare and mobile, and they are increasingly essential to
and Medicaid Services, the use of technology has individuals in their personal and professional
exploded as healthcare organizations have lives.
accepted the challenge to convert their paper Desktop devices, laptops, tablets, cell or
records to an electronic health record. smartphones, and wide variety of medical and
Technology Informatics Guiding household equipment use computer software to
Education Reform (TIGER) initiative addressed perform their functions. A basic understanding of
this explosion of technology in healthcare and how computers operate provides the nurse with
the first step to exploring the evidence as it and university computer systems are examples of
relates to clinical practice. mainframe computers.

A computer system has four main functions: The smallest computer,

microcomputers, or personal computers, are
✓ collection
designed for single users, can be connected as a
✓ processing
network, and are small and affordable to most
✓ storage
individuals.
✓ retrieval of data
Data Organization, Representation and
Two main components of a computer are its
Structure
hardware (physical components) and software
(applications). A computer’s work begins with input of
information via an external or touch-screen
Physical components include the casing
keyboard to a CPU where a processor chip
(desktop, laptop, or mobile) and internal
collects data and makes decisions based on the
mechanisms (CPU, motherboard, power supply,
software’s program code (instructions). The
hard disc, and memory). External hardware
memory of a computer is divided into a random
includes touch screens, keyboards, a mouse to
access (RAM) and read-only (ROM).
control screen position, and monitor that
displays information on a screen. Additional RAM provides temporary storage of data
hardware is available to help the user print during the creation of work before it is stored in
information or enhance listening. a permanent location, either in the computer’s
hard drive or other storage location. Unless
saved to a permanent location, RAM storage is
lost when the program is closed, or the computer
is turned off.

ROM is located in the motherboard

(circuit boards) and saves data in a more
permanent way after the computer is turned off.
During work, data are uploaded in the RAM and
when directed by the user, stored in ROM on the
hard drive, on a USB flash drive or in external
locations.

Computers are further categorized on The ability to store information is based

the basis of size and use. Supercomputers are on the capacity of the device.
large and only run a few programs at a high
The basic (smallest) unit of memory is a
processing speed. Their specific uses range from
bit; a byte consists of eight bits of data. From
animations and stimulations, or training to
these small units, storage can be expanded in
weather forecasting.
increments of 1000 to kilobytes (KB), megabytes
Mainframe computers have large (MB), gigabytes (GB), and terabytes (TB).
memory capacity, work at a high speed, and have
Decision about the amount of storage
the ability for many users to operate the
needed in a computer system is based on the
computer system at the same time. Healthcare
amount of data to be processed and stored, and Each website is identified by a unique
on estimated storage time. uniform resource locator (URL) protocol. Two
types of URL addresses are commonly used to
Data can be collected, organized, and
reach web resources: hypertext transfer
stored in a database where it can be retrieved
protocol (HTTP) or hypertext transfer protocol-
easily and in a way that is meaningful to the user.
secure (HTTPS).
Commonly used database in health care includes
electronic medical records, databases that HTTP does not have an encryption which
support mobile applications. makes it easier for a hacker to read your
passwords. While HTTPS has encryption which
• Software applications are internal
makes your passwords safe and encrypted.
programs that can be modified without
changes to the external hardware of the Computer networks allow knowledge to
computer. These applications are be shared in multiple ways. The World Wide Web
categorized as productivity, creative, or (WWW) is a network program that is familiar to
communication programs. the most internet users. A collection of
• Productivity software include a variety documents, images, and web pages, the World
of information processing needs. Wide Web makes it possible to gather
• Creative software can be used to create information from many resources, as well as to
drawing, music, or digital share information around the globe.
photography/videos.
Smartphones add another layer of
• Communication software includes email
information gathering and storage via telephone
programs, internet browsers, instant
and global positioning system (GPS) technology,
messaging, and variety of conferencing
preserving the ability to access and disseminate
programs.
information, no matter where we are, 24 hours a
NETWORKING AND DATA COMMUNICATION day.

Computer networks are formed when Another use of internet is to store large
two or more computers are linked in a way that amounts of information in a cloud. This method
allows them to share information. of storage allows an organization to achieve cost
savings in many areas (maintenance,
A local area network (LAN) is confined to infrastructure, use less of expensive computers).
a single site, a metropolitan area network
(MAN) connects regional areas, and a wide area Health care has benefited from recent
network (WAN) reaches far beyond the single computer advances in software programming,
location to connect many LANs together. including educational packages for online
instruction through courses, simulation
Connections to the internet are available experiences (avatar, high fidelity mannequins,
through cable or digital subscriber lines (DSL) or and online students resources), artificial
through dial up telephone services. To connect to intelligence/robotics to improve life for
the internet, the computer has to be connected individuals with disabilities and research.
to an internet service provider (ISP) through a
modem and a unique internet protocol (IP) Social networking applications (Social
address. Media) are software programs that encourage
communication with others.
 Individuals can set up blogs or join social such as a monitor, printer, or
networks like Facebook or Twitter to share speakers.
information with friends, family, or other with Modem The device that allows your
similar health conditions. computer to talk to other
computers over a telephone
Social media has become a way that line.
patients, families, and caregivers gain Monitor A video or computer display
information and support from one another, device that contains a screen.
particularly with chronic illnesses or life-limiting Laser Printer A printer that uses both laser
illnesses. and photographic technology
to produce high quality
BASIC TERMINOLOGY OF COMPUTING output.
Understanding basic computer Printer The hardware that provides
printed output from the
terminology is the first step to effective
computer.
computer use. Many internet sites have
Hard Copy A printed copy of computer
compiled comprehensive lists of computer terms output.
and definitions that can be easily accessed and Compact A disc on which a laser has
used for teaching and learning basic computer Disc digitally recorded information
language. such as audio, video, or
computer data.
Hardware The physical components of
Hard Disk A fixed, large-capacity
the computer system, such as
magnetic storage medium for
the hard drive, disc drives, and
computer data; this is inside
modem.
the computer.
Software The programs or instructions
Floppy Disk A portable magnetic storage
that tell the computer what to
medium for computer data
do, such as word processors,
that allows users to randomly
spreadsheets, and databases.
access information.
CPU The brain of the computer or
Graphical The use of graphical symbols
Central Processing Unit.
User instead of text commands to
ROM The permanent memory that
Interface control common computer
is built in your computer. This
functions such as copying
is Read-Only-Memory.
programs and disks.
RAM The computer’s working
Icon A small picture or symbol
memory, sometimes called
representing a computer
Random-Accessed Memory.
hardware function or
Megabyte Approximately a million bytes
component.
(a measure of storage).
Ink-Jet A type of printer that forms
Gigabyte Approximately a billion bytes
Printer letters on the page by
(or 1000) megabytes.
shooting tiny electrically
Input Device The hardware that is used to
charged droplets of ink.
pass information into the
Peripheral Any hardware attached to the
computer, such as mouse,
CPU, whether it be an input,
keyboard, or microphone.
output, or storage device.
Output The hardware that receives
Device and displays information
coming from the computer,
 Having a common terminology is
essential to the effective use of retrieved
computer data to improve patient care and
outcomes.

Nurses must be able to capture their

work in a way that is meaningful and allows for
evaluation of the effectiveness of nursing
interventions.

The goals of these documents are similar

and support the use of common nursing
language to raise awareness of nursing work,
communication within the healthcare team, ease
of data retrieval and analysis for evaluation of
nursing work, and increased ability to
incorporate and adhere to evidence-based
standards of care.

Use of terminologies ensures that

communications are understood and interpreted
in the same way by all members of healthcare
team.
From videos played by sir during discussion Mainframe computer - are large size and bigger
than mini computer. The cost of mainframe
TYPES OF COMPUTERS
computers are high. It has high computing
• Microcomputer power. It is a multi-user system where 100 users
• Mini computer can work at a time. Mainframe computers are
• Mainframe computer used in large business organizations, such as
• Supercomputer insurance company, and universities. Examples
of mainframe computer are:
Microcomputer - is also known as personal
computer. Micro computers are easy to use, it is • IBM 7094
small in size. Micro computers have low • ICL 2966
computing power only one user can use Supercomputer - is the largest and fastest
microcomputer at a time. The cost of computer. It is the most expensive computer.
microcomputers are less. It is used for personal Super computers have very high computing
applications in our daily life. Examples of power. Super computers are used in very large
microcomputer are: organizations such as weather forecasting, and
✓ desktop computer space exploration. Examples of super computers
✓ laptop computer are:
✓ tablet
• Param
✓ smartphones; and
• Cray
✓ palm top computers
• Summit

QUESTIONS:

1. Which is the fastest computer?

Supercomputer
2. Which computer is called the ‘Big Iron’?
Mainframe computer
3. Which computer is also known as
personal computer? Microcomputer
4. Which computer is used by single user?
Mini computer - is also called as a mid-range Microcomputer
computer. Many computers are medium sized 5. Which is the most powerful
and bigger than microcomputer. The cost of mini supercomputer in the world? SUMMIT
computers are average. It has average computing 6. Which computer is called midrange
power. Mini computers multi-users systems computer? Minicomputer
where more than one user can work 7. Which computer uses one
simultaneously, normally 10 to 60 users can work microprocessor? Microcomputer
at a time. Mini computers are used in small 8. CRAY is an example of ______.
business companies, banks and supermarkets. Supercomputer
Examples of mini computer are: 9. Laptop is an example of _____.
Microcomputer
• Vax
10. PDP-11 is an example of ____.
• PDP 11
Minicomputer
 11. Which computer is used in weather stores such instructions that are required to start
forecasting? Supercomputer a computer, and this operation is called the
12. Which is the first supercomputer? CDC bootstrap. For example, when you start your
6600 computer, the screen doesn’t appear instantly. It
requires time to appear as there are instructions
RAM vs. ROM
stored in ROM which are required to start the
RAM - stands for Random Access computer during booting process. Also, ROM is
Memory. This is one of the most components of much slower and much cheaper than that of
a computer, cell phones, tablets, and other RAM.
devices. Without RAM doing something in your
The difference between RAM and ROM
computer or device is much slower, or even
are based on their uses, storage capabilities,
applications in your device like Netflix, Mobile
capacity, and physical sizes of their chips.
Legends, Facebook and etc. cannot be open.
RAM is considered as storage since it stores data RAM ROM
or information in your device temporarily. Even Stands for Random Read Only
though it is considered storage, RAM is volatile or Access Memory
volatile type storage meaning when you turn off Memory
your laptop or device all the data or information Storage Volatile Non-volatile
stored in RAM will be deleted. The most common Capability memory memory and
type of RAM is the Dynamic RAM or DRAM. In meaning it doesn’t need
requires power to
DRAM each memory cell is composed of a
power to store data
transistor and capacitor within the integrated
store data
circuits or (IC) that stores electrical charges. It
Data Access Data can be Data is a read
dynamic since it holds charges briefly before it erased, read, only data
drains and needed to refresh or recharged again or modified
every few milliseconds to retain data. DRAM’s Uses Is to store Stores data
latency or the time it takes to send information is data for that are
around 100 nanoseconds. Now 100 nanoseconds current required to
is quiet fast already but for the modern CPU the instruction start a
100 nanoseconds is too long. That’s why another processing computer or
type of RAM is introduced, and this is the Static to bootstrap
RAM or SRAM. SRAM is made up of 4 to 6 the computer
interlock transistors. SRAM doesn’t need Storage 1 to 256 4 to 8 MB
refreshing that’s why it is the fastest memory in Capacity gigabytes or only
GB
computer system but the also the most
Storage Desktop RAM Size varies
expensive part of computer. For the storage
Capability is about 5 1/2 from less
capacity, RAM can store multiple gigabytes (GB)
inches in than 1 inch in
of data ranging from 1 to 256 gigabytes per chip. length & 1 length to
ROM - stands for Read Only Memory. As inch in width. multiple
what the name indicates, it can only read data. inches in
Laptop RAM length and
ROM is also a storage medium that stores
is just half the width
information permanently, meaning it is non-
length of depending on
volatile memory. So even if you turn off your their use
computer, the data in ROM will remain. A ROM
 desktop Operating system is a software that acts as an
computer interface between the user and the computer
system.
Types of Software: Application Software and Operating system for desktop and laptop are:
System Software
• Microsoft Windows is a very popular
Computer software is a set of instruction operating system created by Microsoft.
that guides the computer hardware and tell the The founder of Microsoft is Bill Gates.
hardware what to do, when to do, and how to do There are different versions of Microsoft
a task. Software gives life to the computer; windows.
without software the computer is a dead • Linux is a free operating system that can
machine. be downloaded from the internet. It was
developed by Linus Torvalds.
Computer Software
• Mac OS is an operating system created
Application Software are programs that help the by Apple. The founder of apple is Steve
user perform specific tasks. Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Mac OS can run
all Macintosh computers.
• Word Processing Software (MS WORD,
WORDAD, NOTEPAD) - are used to create
documents such as letters, reports, etc.
• Database Software (ORACLE, MS
ACCESS) - are to store data and perform
some operations on the data.
• Spreadsheet Software (MS EXCEL) - are
used to organize data in rows and
columns, perform calculations, and
present data in charts and graphs.
• Presentation Software (POWERPOINT) - Operating systems for mobile devices are:
is used to display information in a form
• Android is the most common mobile
of slides.
operating system used for mobile phone
• Internet Browser (GOOGLE CHROME,
and tablets.
FIREFIX, SAFARI) - are used to access the
• Apple IOS is used on iPhone and iPad.
internet.
Utility Software is used to analyze, configure,
System Software
optimize, and maintain the computer.
System Software is a set of programs that
Example:
controls the computer hardware. The system
software is the platform for running the
application software.

System Software are Operating System and

Utility Software.
 8. What type of software is file manager
and backup software? Utility software

QUESTIONS:

1. Which operating system is used for

mobile devices? Android and IOS
2. Name some operating system used for
Desktop and Laptop. Windows OS, Mac
OS, Linux
3. What type of software directly interact
with the user? Application software
4. What type of software interact with the
hardware? System software
5. What type of software is Utility
software? System software
6. What type of software is operating
system software? System software
7. What type of software is google
chrome? Application software
From videos played by sir during discussion o NFC - near field communication

The Difference Between HTTP and HTTPS Also connect by using a wired connection such
as:
HTTP and HTTPS – the prefixes to every URL on
the web • USB cable
HTTP Generally used for transferring small files such
as:
➢ Hyper – Text Transfer Protocol
➢ In terms of security HTTP is completely • Music
fine when browsing the web • Photos
• Calendar appointments
Issue
LAN
➢ When you’re entering sensitive data into
form fields on a website • LOCAL AREA NETWORK
➢ The sensitive data is transmitted in • A group of devices (computers, servers,
cleartext and can be read by anyone. switches, and printers) that are located
HTTPS in the same building, office, home.
• In close proximity to each other.
➢ Hyper – Text Transfer Protocol Secure • Common type:
➢ Uses an encryption protocol called ➢ Ethernet LAN - where two or
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) more computers are connected
➢ The sensitive data is encrypted, making to Ethernet cables using a
it much safer and harder for hackers to switch.
decipher.
WLAN
Network Types: LAN, WAN, PAN, CAN, MAN,
SAN, WLAN • WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK
• Uses wireless communications instead
Network types depend on how large they are and of wired communication.
how much of an area they cover geographically. • Defined as:
Most people who have a basic knowledge of • Having at least two devices that use
networking are familiar with the terms LAN and wireless communication to form a local
WAN. area network
• Will typically have a Wi-Fi router or
PAN wireless access point for wireless
• PERSONAL AREA NETWORK devices such as:
• Used for personal level • Laptops ● Tablets
• It’s a small network that is used for • Wireless desktops
connecting devices such as • Smartphones
smartphones, tablets, and laptops. •
• They connect to each other by using • (simple terms) a LAN but without using
wireless technologies such as: cables
o Bluetooth CAN
o Infrared
 • CAMPUS AREA NETWORK • WIDE AREA NETWORK
• A network that joins two or more LANs • Largest type of network
together within a limited area. • Includes multiple LANs, CANs, and
• Example: MANs.
• University that has multiple buildings in • Spans over a large geographical area
the same general area that are such as:
connected to each other to form a larger ➢ Country
network. So, these buildings could be ➢ Continent
different departments on a university’s ➢ Entire globe
property with each building having their • Example:
own LAN in their department. And then, ➢ WAN is the internet.
the buildings are connected to form a
campus area network.

MAN

• METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK

• Larger than CAN
• It’s a network that spans over several
buildings in a city or town.
• Typically connected using a high-speed
connection such as:
• FIBER OPTIC CABLE - it’s a high-speed
network that gives the ability for sharing
data and resources within a city.

SAN

• STORAGE AREA NETWORK

• A special high-speed network that stores
and provides access to large amounts of
data.
• A dedicated network that’s used for data
storage.
• Consists of:
➢ Disk arrays
➢ Switches
➢ Servers
• One of the main reasons for using a SAN:
➢ Not affected by network traffic
such as bottlenecks that can
happen in LAN
➢ It’s a network all by itself

WAN