Importance of Computers in the Health Sector
We are living in a modern, technologically advanced world. The computer age has led to fast globalization and fast access to information and technology. Computers have become an important household item and an invariable part of education, business, profession and service industry. Computerization promotes fast growth, fewer mistakes and better service in each and every field of life.
Role of Computers in the Health Sector
Availability of Information
Internet provides information on everything. New discoveries regarding operative procedures, medicines, study reports, are available on the Internet. You can easily order medicines from any part of the world. You can send medical reports via e-mail and get suggestions immediately from a doctor who is far away from you. Direct, live telecast of operation from a remote corner of the world can be watched in any part of the world. Web conferences help doctors to learn techniques without wasting time in traveling. Lives of critically ill patients can be saved, as time is saved.
Database Management
Importance of computer in hospitality industry is well-known. Booking of hotels, booking of tickets, stock management, is done with the help of computers. Computers have revolutionized the health care industry as well. Database management at clinics and hospitals has become an easy job with the arrival of computers. Computers help to keep track of all the patient's medical history, stock of medicines, purchases and sales, staff information, everything. The required information is available at the click of a button. Storing medical reports of millions of patients is easier with computers. Storage of data in computers is an eco-friendly way of storing information. Various sites inform about the people who regularly donate blood. Blood of any blood group is thus available within a few minutes with the help of the Internet.
Advanced Technology
Computers provide the base for the technological advancements that are seen in every field. The field of medicine has also benefited from computers. These days, specially designed software and automated machines are used to treat various diseases and disorders. Diagnostic tools like MRI, CT scans, ultrasound tests, radiation technology, require computers. New computerized technologies used during operations (for example, laparoscopic surgeries, use of micro-cameras, laser surgeries, machine cuts, have resulted in very short stays in hospitals post surgery and fast recovery as well. With improved and fast diagnosis, chances of recovery have also significantly increased. Micro-cameras help carry out delicate procedures without much loss of blood. Importance of computers in health care is explained by their use in infertility treatments, DNA research, cancer treatment (radiation), treatment of premature infants, detection of defects in the fetus in the womb, etc. The ICUs in hospitals are equipped with computerized machines which monitor the health of critically ill patients.
Medical Imaging
Significance of computer technology in the health sector is actually unquestionable when it comes to medical imaging. The technology and the instruments have helped save lives of millions of people. Various types of techniques help create images of the human body, or body parts, for medical purposes. The modern methods of scanning and imaging like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography, mammography, 3-D images are based on advanced computer technology. Storing these images is also easy because of computers. Computerized machines and infrared cameras help get sharp, fine and perfect images.
Computers can inform about the changes taking place inside the human body without a cut in the skin. For example, bone scan, prenatal ultrasound imaging, blood glucose monitors, endoscopy, blood pressure monitors, etc. Computers have brought more precision in medical examinations and diagnosis. Use of computers in the health sector promotes faster detection of cause of the disease, and early but correct diagnosis. Medical alerts help prevent diseases and disorders. All this has resulted in increased life expectancy of patients.
