Chapter 7 Computer Applications in Respiratory Care

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Chapter 7 Computer Applications in Respiratory
Care

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Objectives

• Describe computer systems.
• Describe computer applications in respiratory
  care management, clinical care, education, and
  research, as well as emerging applications.
• Retrieve information from the World Wide Web in
  an efficient manner.

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Objectives (cont.)

• Conduct a literature search using the PubMed
  search engine.
• Outline steps to maintain security and
  confidentiality.

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Computer Systems

• Consist of desktop, notebook, and handheld
  computers that are linked by networks
• Servers help manage network functions such as
  running software applications.
• The Internet consists of government, academic,
  and commercial networks.
• Internet serves as a conduit for the World Wide
  Web and email.

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Computer Applications

• Word processing Respiratory therapists use
  Microsoft Word and Word Perfect to write policy
  manuals and monthly reports.
• Presentations Students, educators, researchers,
  and administrators use PowerPoint to create slide
  presentations.
• Data processing Microsoft Excel is used to
  create spreadsheets in management.

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Computer Applications (cont.)

• Hospital information systems support both the
  administrative and clinical missions of hospitals
• Permit virtual chart review of clinical data at
  both central and remote locations
• Allow clinicians to have access to blood gas
  reports, chest radiographs, blood test results,
  etc. from all parts of the health care system

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Computer Applications (cont.)
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Computer Applications in Respiratory Care

• Respiratory care management information systems
• Charting and billing
• Assign respiratory care orders
• Manage staff productivity
• Report clinical results
• Execute respiratory care protocols

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Computer Applications in Respiratory Care (cont.)

• Automation of patient-driven protocols
• Pulmonary function laboratories
• Most exercise and metabolic measurement systems
  use a desktop or laptop computer.
• Computers are used to interpret PFT reports.
• Blood gas laboratories
• Computers are used to store reports and assist
  with quality assurance.

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Emerging Applications

• Electronic health records
• Computers could provide a seamless network of
  widely accessible electronic health records.
• Tobacco cessation
• Internet-based programs are available.
• Telemedicine
• The use of computers and telecommunications to
  provide patient care in remote sites

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Emerging Applications (cont.)

• Chronic disease management
• Computers can help provide cost-effective care of
  patients with chronic pulmonary disease.
• Clinical decision support
• Computers can help clinicians better provide
  evidence-based care using clinical practice
  guidelines.

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Information Retrieval

• World Wide Web
• Google Scholar a search engine for scholarly
  publications
• PubMed and MEDLINE
• PubMed is the National Library of Medicines free
  search engine for health information.
• OVID
• Used by medical libraries and large hospitals as
  a search engine

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Education

• Clinical simulators
• Computerized simulators are powerful learning
  aids.
• DataARC
• A secured, password-protected, and Web-based data
  management system for documenting clinical
  educational activities.
• Computerized testing for credentialing

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Research

• Data sources
• Data sources for outcomes research (e.g., birth
  and death rates in certain populations)
• Data collection
• Handheld computers
• Web-based surveys
• Statistical tests
• SPSS, SAS, Statistica

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Security and Confidentiality

• Security
• Virus attaches to executable programs and
  destroy files and software
• Worm similar to a virus but can spread
  throughout an entire network
• Trojan horse masquerades as a seemingly benign,
  legitimate program and invades software
• Spyware can be legitimate or malicious software
  that controls a computer

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Security and Confidentiality (cont.)

• Prevention of infiltration by malicious software
• Use of firewalls to filter exchange of
  information with the internet
• Confidentiality
• Patient data must be kept in password-protected
  files.
• Access to patient files should be on a
  need-to-know basis.