3-6.
Through a variety of computer systems, data are stored and sent automatically,
upon request, for action by the appropriate health care provider. Use of the computer
offers the advantage of a greater level of speed and accuracy to the information
transmitted throughout the hospital. In addition to data processing tasks, such as:
sorting, copying, filing, summarizing, and checking for abnormal data, the computer
does such things as preparing bills for services and supplies. The computer performs a
variety of tasks that would otherwise be accomplished by physicians, nurses,
technologists, clerks, and other hospital personnel. And it processes both medical data
(physician's orders, test results,and so forth) and administrative data (responsible party
statements, insurance coverage, and so forth).
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TYPES OF SYSTEMS
Six major types of computer system are used in health care facilities.
a. Office Automation Systems. Scheduling, memo keeping, and record
keeping are handled on this system, which combines word processing and data
processing with new advances, such as electronic data processing.
b. Financial/Administrative Systems. This type of system is generally
operated on a large mainframe or on minicomputers, and automates patient billing,
accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger, personnel/payroll, and property
management.
c. Departmental Information Systems. Designed to assist individual
departments, such as, radiology, with their information management; these -function
independently, but may share some information with other systems.
d. Decision Support Systems. Systems, such as, financial modeling,
planning, and case-mix analysis help managers analyze data produced by other
computer systems.
data from a minicomputer or mainframe, so that data can be manipulated without having
to use the slow time-sharing speed of the central computer. Microcomputer systems
are also used as initial input devices for order entry or results reporting. A third use is
independent word processing or financial analysis.
download: receive or capture electronically; copy a file or any portion thereof.
MD0058
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