Computers and Medical Database Advances :: Essays Papers

Computers and Medical Database Advances Computers have revolutionized the way we do things in the medical field from the devised used the pharmacy to the databases used to keep patients medical records. Pharmacies, offices and hospitals have been able to take advantage of the benefit computers can bring to their companies. Computers make it easy to keep tack of their patients, as well as what medication they take in order to make it easier for everyone. Computers can be used to advance the uses of health care systems in hospitals in more ways than one. One of the first systems that use computers to store and transfer information for the use of giving advice and solving clinical problems is the HELP system. (Fitzmaurice) This system not only alerts physicians to abnormal and changing clinical values but can generate reminders for physicians. For example: A trial by Indiana University showed that tests for respiratory ailments were reduced by ten to thirty percent because the computer was able to remind the doctor to give a flu vaccine to those patients. In Beth Israel Hospital in Boston computers were also able to alert physicians when kidney failure was a risk. (Fitzmaurice) Another way that computers can benefit physicians in hospitals is the costs it can decrease. Physicians are able to order tests by computers which can automatically display cost affective testing. At Wishard Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis they saved $594 per admission when using computers to write all impatient orders.(Fitzmaurice) That is a total of more than three million dollars in projected hospital savings. Also the physician ordered fourteen percent fewer tests when using computers because the computer was able to show test results, test prices and abnormal results. (Fitzmaurice) By being able to write programs for computers that can contain a database full of patients makes it easier for everyone. In the 1980’s in order for pharmacies to process third party payors, it had to be done the old fashion way-via paper. With millions of people rushing to the pharmacy to get their medication, a more efficient way had to be established to process claims.(Sardinha) During the middle of the 1980’s pharmacies were able to establish online computer claims making it easier to bill insurance companies online.