Computer in Nursing

Mr. Vijayaraddi Vandali

Asst Prof cum Nursing Supdt, Sumandeep University, Pipariya, Waghodiya, Vadodara, Gujarat-391760.
*Corresponding Author E-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT:
A computer is a machine that is able to take information, do some work on or make changes to the information, to
make new information. Computers have existed for much of human history. Examples of early computers are the
astrolabe and the abacus. There are four main processing steps in a computer, and they are: inputting, outputting,
storage and processing. Various kind of software’s using in hospital/institute for easy and accurate documentation.
Computer use has become one of the most successful ways of sharing information in the health care system, where
all computers are linked together by a common network. Now, hospitals heavily rely on it to get information across
to essential channels.

KEY WORDS: Computer, Nursing.

INTRODUCTION:
The first person to attempt this was a English mathematician named Charles Babbage (1791–1871). Many regard
“Babbage as the father of the computer” because his machines had an input (a way of feeding in numbers), a
memory (something to store these numbers while complex calculations were taking place), a processor (the number-
cruncher that carried out the calculations), and an output (a printing mechanism)—the same basic components
shared by all modern computers1.
Fig.No.1

A computer is a machine that is able to take information, do some work on or make changes to the information, to
make new information. Computers have existed for much of human history. Examples of early computers are the
astrolabe and the abacus. There are four main processing steps in a computer, and they are: inputting, outputting,
storage and processing1. Modern computers are very different from early computers. They can do billions of
calculations per second. Most people have used a personal computer in their home or at work. Computers do many
different jobs where automation is useful. Some examples are controlling traffic lights, vehicle computers, security
systems, washing machines and digital televisions. A computer user can control it by a user interface. Input
devices include keyboard, mouse, buttons, touch screen. Some very new computers can also be controlled with
voice commands or hand gestures or even brain signals through electrodes implanted in the brain or along nerves 2.

Definition:

1. An electronic machine that is used for storing, organizing, and finding words, numbers, and pictures, for
doing calculations, and for controlling other machines. By Cambridge Dictionary.

2. A computer is a programmable machine. The two principal characteristics of a computer are: It responds to a
specific set of instructions in a well-defined manner and it can execute a prerecorded list of instructions
(a program). By Vangie Beal

Hardware:
The term hardware refers to the components used to build a computer. Breaking down the components into
categories, you will find five main groups:
1. Input
2. Output
3. Memory
4. CPU
5. Communications Hardware

Although these are the five main categories, there are three more components to consider that do not fit into those
main four:
1. Case
2. Power Supply
3. Expansion Cards

Case:
A computer case is used to put the essential components of a computer in. This provides an enclosed space and
easier organization for the components to go.

Power Supply:
A power supply unit (PSU) is used to power all components inside the case. It does this by converting AC power to
DC power that is regulated by the PSU. What this means is that each component needs a certain amount of volts to
work and the power supply will regulate the volts accordingly.

Expansion Cards:
An expansion card is used to enhance certain attributes of the system. For example, a sound card can enhance sound
by giving you surround sound capability. Another example is a video card; this will enhance the graphics of your
system.

Computers are Generally Classified by Size and Power as Follows:

Although there is considerable overlap. The differences between computer classifications generally get smaller as
technology advances, creating smaller and more powerful and cost-friendly components.

 Personal computer:
a small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor. In addition to the microprocessor, a personal computer has
a keyboard for entering data, a monitor for displaying information, and a storage device for saving data.

 Workstation:
A powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a more powerful
microprocessor and a higher-quality monitor.

 Minicomputer:
A multi-user computer capable of supporting from 10 to hundreds of users simultaneously.

 Mainframe:
A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously 2.

 Supercomputer:
An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of millions of instructions per second.

Uses of Computers in Nursing Profession:3

Fig: No.2

The computer revolutionized the nursing profession. Clinical and technological advancements led to a nursing
specialty called nursing informatics: the application of computer and information science to promote and support the
practice of nursing and the delivery of nursing care. In addition to the routine use of computer-assisted technology
such as email, computers have many other applications in nursing.
Nursing Administration:
Computers are used in the administrative areas of nursing for basic tasks that once were done on paper. Staffing and
scheduling systems are used to construct daily, weekly or monthly schedules. Many scheduling systems also collect
data on individual employees such as the amount of sick time used or vacation hours accumulated. Staffing and
scheduling systems often provide a variety of reports to the administrative nurse. Budgeting and financial tracking
are another way in which computers are used in nursing administration.

Education:
Computers are valuable for patient and nursing education. Hospitals often use computer programs to teach patients
about chronic disease management or to provide educational handouts. Preprinted documents such as discharge or
preoperative instructions can also be stored in the computer and printed as necessary. Nurses use computers for a
variety of continuing education programs as part of the relic ensure process and can also complete educational
programs on the computer to obtain advanced degrees.

Clinical Use:
In clinical implication, computers are used for:
 Assessment
 Patient Monitoring
 Documentation
 Telemedicine
 Electronic Medical Records

The application of computer systems to hospitals has provided clinical information in the most convenient form. The
technological age implemented in medicine has resulted in a quicker and more efficient healthcare system. This
additional speed and efficiency can only result in better care for our citizens. Online medical records significantly
reduce the rate of our medical information being lost, ultimately resulting in better care.

Electronic Medical Records:

Nurses use computers for documentation with an electronic health record or electronic medical record. When an
organization uses an EMR, all documentation related to patient care, diagnostic testing, specialty referrals or any
other aspect of patient care or management is done on the computer. The computers can be stationed at the bedside,
used on mobile carts or might be in the form of a portable electronic tablet that the nurse carries in lieu of a
clipboard with paper documents4.

Research:
In research, we can use computers for:
 Preparation of a research document
 Data gathering
 Computer assisted instruction
 Simulation
 Tutorials
 Analysis of data.
 Etc

Community Settings:
In community settings, we use computers for: gathering statistics, patient-appointments-identification systems, home
care management, and automated remote patient monitoring4.

List of Advantages of Computer:

It enhances communication and availability of information. It allows for more convenient resource sharing. It
makes file sharing easier. It is highly flexible. It is an inexpensive system. It increases cost efficiency. It boosts
storage capacity.

List of Disadvantages of Computer:

It lacks independence. It poses security difficulties. It allows for more presence of computer viruses and malware. Its
light policing usage promotes negative acts. It requires an efficient handler. It requires an expensive set-up.

CONCLUSION:
Various kind of software’s using in hospital/institute for easy and accurate documentation. Computer use has
become one of the most successful ways of sharing information in the health care system, where all computers are
linked together by a common network. Now, hospitals heavily rely on it to get information across to essential
channels. Not only has that it benefited establishments, but also individuals, as they also need to share important
information every day work/activity happens in hospital/organization. But no matter how useful computer is, but
computers plays a key role in hospital/nursing institutes in all the aspects.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
I would like to thank Ravindra H N, Principal and Sumandeep Nursing College & Management of Sumandeep
University.

Fund:
Self

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:
None

Ethical Clearance:
Not required.

REFERENCES:

1. Berners-Lee, Tim with Mark Fischetti. Weaving the Web: The Original Design and Ultimate Destiny of the World Wide Web by its
Inventor. San Francisco, California: HarperCollins, 1999.

2. Tim Berners-Lee tells his own story of what he hopes to achieve with the World Wide Web.

3. Cringely, Robert. Accidental Empires: How the Boys of Silicon Valley Make Their Millions, Battle Foreign Competition, and Still Can't Get
a Date. New York: Harper Business, 1996. The story of personal computing in the 1980s.

4. Ashutash, Dr. K. "How the Computers Are Useful in Hospital and Community?" Doc2doc. BMJ Group, 6 Jan. 2012. Web. 5 Sept. 2014.

Received on 04.10.2016 Modified on 15.10.2016

Accepted on 21.12.2016 © A&V Publications all right reserved
Int. J. Adv. Nur. Management. 2017; 5(1): 89-92.
DOI: 10.5958/2454-2652.2017.00020.8