Ni Reviewer
Ni Reviewer
1ST GEN (1940-56) LSI & VLSI were used in this generation. As a result
2ND GEN (1956-63) microprocessors came into existence. The computers
3RD GEN (1964-71) using this technology known to be Micro Computer.
4TH GEN (1972- 1980) High capacity hard disk were invented. There is great
5TH GEN (1980-Present) development in data communication. Fourth generation
computers became more powerful, compact, reliable,
1ST GEN (1940-56) and affordable.
The first generation computers used vacuum tubes & As a result, it gave rise to Personal Computer (PC)
machine language was used for giving the instructions. revolution. In this generation, time sharing, real time
These computers were large in size & their networks, distributed operating system were used. All
programming was difficult task. The electricity the high-level languages like C, C++, DBASE etc., were
consumption was very high. Some computers of this used in this generation.
generation are ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC & UNIVAC-1.
5TH GEN (1980-Present)
In this generation, mainly batch processing operating
system was used. Punch cards, paper tape, and Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial
magnetic tape was used as input and output devices. intelligence, are still in development, though there are
The computers in this generation used machine code as some applications, such as voice recognition, that are
the programming language. being used today. The use of parallel processing and
superconductors is helping to make artificial intelligence
2ND GEN (1956-63) a reality.
In 2nd generation computers, vacuum tubes were Quantum computation and molecular and
replaced by transistors. They required only 1/10 of nanotechnology will radically change the face of
power required by tubes. This generation computers computers in years to come. Some computer types of
generated less heat & were reliable. The first operating this generation are − Desktop, Laptop, Note Book and
system developed in this generation. IBM 1620, IBM Ultra Book.
7094, CDC 1604 are the examples of this generations
computers. COMPUTING SYSTEM GENERATION
In 2nd generation, magnetic cores were used as the SUPERCOMPUTER: A supercomputer is a high-
primary memory and magnetic tape and magnetic disks performance computer system designed to perform
as secondary storage devices. large-scale computations at extraordinary speeds. These
machines are capable of handling complex simulations,
3RD GEN (1964-71) modeling, and data-intensive tasks that ordinary
The 3rd generation computers replaced transistors with computers cannot manage due to their immense
Integrated circuit known as chip. From Small scale computational power.
integrated circuits which had 10 transistors per chip, 5 Characteristics of Supercomputers:
technology developed to MSI circuits with 100
transistors per chip. These computers were smaller, High Processing Speed: Supercomputers can
faster & more reliable. High level languages invented in execute trillions of calculations per second, often
this generation. The IC was invented by Jack Kilby. measured in FLOPS (Floating Point Operations Per
Second), enabling them to perform complex tasks
This development made computers smaller in size, quickly.
reliable, and efficient. In this generation remote Parallel Processing: They consist of thousands or
processing, time-sharing, multiprogramming operating millions of processors working in parallel to solve
of computers in 3rd generation. problems faster and more efficiently.
REVIEWER IN NURSING INFORMATICS
Massive Storage Capacity: Supercomputers have Security and Data Integrity: Mainframe computers
enormous amounts of RAM and storage to handle have robust security features, such as advanced
and access large datasets required for scientific encryption, access controls, and auditing
simulations and computations. mechanisms, ensuring the integrity and
Advanced Cooling Systems: Due to the intense heat confidentiality of sensitive data.
generated by the hardware, supercomputers use
MINI COMPUTER: A mini computer is a class of mid-
advanced cooling techniques, such as liquid cooling,
sized computers that are more powerful than
to prevent overheating.
microcomputers (personal computers) but less powerful
Specialized Hardware: Many supercomputers use
than mainframe computers. Mini computers were
specialized components like Graphics Processing
originally designed to provide affordable and reliable
Units (GPUs) or custom processors to optimize
computing solutions for small and medium-sized
performance for specific tasks like AI or machine
businesses or departmental use within larger
learning.
organizations. They typically support multiple users and
MAINFRAME COMPUTER: A mainframe computer is a are capable of running several applications
powerful, high-performance computing system used concurrently. Over time, mini computers have evolved
primarily by large organizations for critical applications, into more advanced systems, often referred to as mid-
including bulk data processing, enterprise resource range computers.
planning (ERP), transaction processing, and large-scale
5 Characteristics of Mini Computers:
scientific computations. Mainframes are designed for
reliability, scalability, and the ability to handle and Moderate Processing Power: Mini computers have
process vast amounts of data concurrently. Unlike more processing power than personal computers,
personal computers or servers, mainframes can support capable of handling multiple tasks and users
hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously, often simultaneously. They are generally used for
with dedicated resources for specific tasks or medium-scale data processing and applications.
applications. Multi-User Support: Unlike microcomputers, mini
computers can support multiple users at once,
5 Characteristics of Mainframe Computers:
making them ideal for small businesses,
High Processing Power: Mainframe computers are laboratories, and departments within large
designed to handle large-scale computational tasks organizations.
and process huge volumes of data quickly. They Compact Size: While still larger than personal
have the capacity to perform millions of computers, mini computers are smaller than
transactions per second. mainframe computers, offering a balance between
Scalability: Mainframes can be easily scaled to performance and space requirements.
accommodate increased workloads, both in terms Cost-Effective: Mini computers are generally less
of processing power and storage. Additional expensive than mainframe systems, offering a more
resources can be added to meet growing demands. affordable solution for medium-sized enterprises or
Reliability and Availability: Mainframes are known departments within large organizations needing
for their high reliability, minimal downtime, and more power than typical PCs.
continuous operation. They often include built-in Multiple Input/Output Capabilities: They often
redundancy and failover mechanisms to ensure that come with multiple I/O ports, allowing various
operations remain uninterrupted, making them peripherals (like terminals, printers, and disk drives)
ideal for mission-critical applications. to be connected and managed simultaneously.
Multi-User Capability: Mainframe systems are
designed to support a large number of concurrent
users, allowing them to share resources efficiently
through virtualization and multitasking capabilities.
REVIEWER IN NURSING INFORMATICS
WORKSTATION COMPUTER: A workstation is a high- affordable, and less powerful than specialized
performance computer designed for professional use in computing systems like mainframes or workstations.
fields that require intensive computational power, high- They are suitable for both home and office
resolution graphics, and large-scale data processing. environments and can be used by a single user at a
Workstations are typically used by engineers, scientists, time.
designers, architects, and animators for tasks such as 3D
5 Characteristics of Personal Computers:
modeling, simulations, computer-aided design (CAD),
and video editing. Unlike personal computers, Affordability: Personal computers are designed to
workstations have specialized hardware and software be cost-effective for individual users or small
configurations tailored to meet the demanding businesses. The price is generally lower compared
requirements of these industries. to more specialized computers like servers or
workstations.
5 Characteristics of Workstation Computers:
Versatility: PCs are capable of running a variety of
High Processing Power: Workstations are equipped software applications, ranging from basic
with powerful multi-core processors, often Intel productivity tools (e.g., word processors,
Xeon or AMD Ryzen Threadripper, enabling them to spreadsheets) to entertainment software (e.g.,
perform complex computations and handle large games, media players).
datasets effectively. User-Friendly Interface: Personal computers are
Advanced Graphics Capabilities: Many workstations designed with graphical user interfaces (GUIs),
include high-end graphics processing units (GPUs), making them easy to operate for non-experts. Most
like NVIDIA Quadro or AMD Radeon Pro, which are PCs use operating systems like Windows, macOS, or
optimized for rendering 3D graphics, simulations, Linux, which feature intuitive designs.
and other graphics-intensive tasks. Customization and Upgradability: Personal
Large Memory Capacity: Workstations typically computers are often customizable, with users able
come with much higher RAM capacity than regular to upgrade components like RAM, storage, graphics
desktop computers, often ranging from 16GB to card, and CPU to meet their needs or preferences.
128GB or more, allowing them to handle large Connectivity: PCs are equipped with multiple
datasets and multitask with multiple resource- connectivity options, such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB
intensive applications. ports, and Bluetooth, allowing users to connect to
High Storage Capacity: Workstations often have the internet, peripheral devices, and networks.
large, fast storage systems, including multiple SSDs
COMPUTER SYSTEMS
(Solid-State Drives) or RAID (Redundant Array of
Independent Disks) configurations, for quick data COMPUTER SYSTEM is a combination of HARDWARE
access and redundancy. and SOFTWARE devices that help computers to receive
Reliability and Durability: Designed for professional data or information by communicating with each other.
use, workstations are built with a focus on It is a set of integrated devices that accept data (input),
reliability, extended uptime, and durability, Then process it and finally give us a result (output) This
ensuring that they can handle long hours of is known as the”Computer System”.
continuous use without performance degradation
The computer system work with the help of the main
or failure.
four basic work ‘INPUT’, ‘OUTPUT’, ‘STORAGE’, and
PERSONAL COMPUTER ( PC ): A personal computer (PC) ‘PROCESSING’. These four words define the meaning of
is a versatile, general-purpose computing device Computer systems.
designed for individual use. It can perform a wide range
It includes a CPU, monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc, and
of tasks such as word processing, internet browsing,
many other components, etc.
gaming, media consumption, and running various
productivity software. PCs are typically smaller, more
REVIEWER IN NURSING INFORMATICS
Basically, Informatics is a set of interrelated activities UNFREEZE: This stage involves preparing the
involving PEOPLE (NURSES), TECHNOLOGY organization, group, or individual for change by
(INFORMATION TECH) and PROCESSES (HEALTHCARE challenging the status quo and creating awareness of
PROCESS) the need for change.
Goal: Stabilize the new state and prevent regression to PROBLEMS IN NURSING INFORMATICS AND
old habits. HEALTHCARE
NURSING INFORMATICS: Similar to the Pharmacy Change in Technological Advancement refers to the
Informaticist, the Nursing Informatics role is a continuous process of innovation, improvement, and
specialized role. The definition of nursing informatics adoption of new technologies that transform how
provided by the American Nurses Association (ANA) and individuals, organizations, and societies operate. This
recommended by HIMSS “is the specialty that integrates type of change is characterized by the introduction of
nursing science with multiple information and analytical new tools, systems, or methods that enhance efficiency,
sciences to identify, define, manage and communicate productivity, and the quality of life.
data, information, knowledge and wisdom in nursing
o Resistance to Adoption
practice.”
o Learning Curve and Training
HEALTH INFORMATICS: This field can be described as o High Costs
the use of health and clinical data to drive and support o Increased Workload
patient health outcomes. There are several case studies o Human-Machine Interaction
that fall under the realm of Health Informatics, for o Workflow Disruption
instance, transferring patient data securely within the o Ethical and Privacy Concerns
hospital to various Electronic Health Records. Another o Human-Machine Interaction
example is analyzing patient data from patients who are
SECURITY AND DATA PRIVACY:
readmitted back into the hospital and designing a
clinical dashboard to track this. Health Informatics can Security refers to the measures, practices, and
be described as the merging of skills from Information technologies implemented to protect systems,
Technology and Healthcare. Health Informatics has networks, and data from unauthorized access, damage,
subspecialties such as Pharmacy Informatics and theft, or disruption. It encompasses safeguarding digital
Nursing Informatics. and physical assets against a wide range of threats,
including cyberattacks, data breaches, and human
PHARMACY INFORMATICS: As stated above, Pharmacy
errors.
Informatics can be considered a subspecialty within
Health Informatics. Individuals in this field generally o Unauthorized Access to Patient Records
have a registered pharmacy designation or are a o Use of Mobile Devices in Nursing
registered pharmacy technician. It is important to have o Improper Disposal of Physical or Digital Records
experience working as a pharmacist or pharmacy o Sharing of Login Credentials
technician to be able to apply technological solutions to o Over-reliance on Technology
improve medication use process and clinical workflow
amongst pharmacists within your organization. NTEGRATION OF NURSING EBP:
Therefore, you will often find many of these roles Integration of Nursing Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) to
looking for this prior experience. Technology refers to the process of leveraging advanced
BIO INFORMATICS: Bioinformatics can be described as technological tools and systems to apply, enhance, and
the use of biological data to model and solve problems support evidence-based practices in nursing. It involves
in fields such as genomics, proteomics and using technology to access, implement, and evaluate
pharmacology. The field of bioinformatics is responsible the best available evidence in clinical decision-making,
for the fast development of mRNA vaccines and the ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.
work involved with processing large amounts of data
REVIEWER IN NURSING INFORMATICS
It creates a synergy between clinical expertise, scientific Clinical Systems Administrator ( CSA ): plays a vital role
evidence, and innovative tools. By adopting this in nursing informatics by managing, maintaining, and
approach, nurses can deliver high-quality, efficient, and optimizing clinical information systems (CIS) to ensure
patient-centered care in an ever-evolving healthcare their reliability, functionality, and alignment with
landscape. healthcare needs. They act as a bridge between
technology, nursing staff, and clinical workflows,
o Training and Education
ensuring systems support high-quality patient care and
o Interoperability
efficient operations.
o Data Overload
o Technological Updates User Support and Troubleshooting:
o Data Accuracy and Quality
o Provide technical support to nurses and other
PURPOSE OF NURSING INFORMATICS healthcare staff by resolving system-related
issues and minimizing downtime.
o INFORM: INFORM CLINICAL PRACTICE BY HER
o Example: Assisting a nurse who encounters an
o INTERCONNECT: CONNECT WITH CLINICIANS
error while entering patient data into the EHR.
FOR INFORMATION EXCHANGE
o PERSONALIZE: PERSONALIZE CUSTOMER CARE Performance Monitoring and Reporting:
SERVICES
o Monitor system performance and generate
o IMPROVE: PUBLIC HEALTH BY MEANS OF DATA
reports on system usage, issues, and outcomes.
COLLECTION AND RESEARCH
o Example: Providing analytics on nurse
ROLES OF NURSING INFORMATICIST compliance with clinical documentation
standards.
linical Information Systems (CIS): play a critical role in
nursing informatics, serving as the backbone for Clinical Systems Trainer \ Clinical Instructor: The
integrating technology into nursing practice to enhance Clinical System Trainer in nursing informatics is
patient care, improve workflow efficiency, and support responsible for educating and empowering healthcare
evidence-based decision-making. staff, particularly nurses, to effectively use clinical
information systems (CIS) in their daily workflows. This
Facilitating Access to Patient Data:
role bridges the gap between technology and clinical
o CIS provide nurses with real-time access to practice by ensuring users have the knowledge, skills,
patient health records, including medical and confidence to utilize systems like Electronic Health
history, lab results, and current treatment Records (EHRs), decision-support tools, and telehealth
plans. platforms.
o Example: Nurses can quickly review a patient’s
Training Program Development:
allergy information in the Electronic Health
Record (EHR) before administering medications. o Design and develop tailored training programs
to meet the specific needs of nursing staff and
Ensuring Patient Safety:
other clinical users.
o CIS reduce errors through tools like medication o Example: Creating a step-by-step curriculum for
administration systems, real-time monitoring, new hires to learn the hospital's EHR system.
and automated alerts for abnormal lab results
User Support and Onboarding:
or potential drug interactions.
o Example: An alert in the CIS prevents a nurse o Assist new employees or those unfamiliar with
from administering a drug that could interact the technology during the onboarding process
with a patient’s current medications. to ensure smooth adoption.
o Example: Providing personalized support to a
nurse transitioning from paper-based
documentation to an EHR system.
REVIEWER IN NURSING INFORMATICS
Clinical Data Analyst ( CDA ): The Clinical Data Analyst Testing and Quality Assurance:
in nursing informatics focuses on managing, analyzing,
o Conduct system testing and validation to ensure
and interpreting healthcare data to support evidence-
proper functionality and usability before
based decision-making, improve patient outcomes, and
deployment.
optimize nursing and clinical workflows. This role
o Example: Testing new EHR updates in a
involves turning raw clinical data into actionable
simulated environment to confirm they work
insights, which are crucial for quality improvement,
seamlessly with existing workflows.
operational efficiency, and compliance in healthcare
settings.
Report Generation:
o Create detailed reports, dashboards, and
visualizations to communicate findings to
nursing leadership and other stakeholders.
o Example: Developing a dashboard showing real-
time nurse staffing levels versus patient acuity.