Computers in the workplace are essential to how efficiently the work is completed. The industry I have chosen for this discussion is healthcare. Having worked for healthcare facilities for the Covid-19 support mission. I found that computer security and HIPAA adherence were at the top of the list of importance. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states, “The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge.” (P1). Many health care organizations have older software applications connected to databases for all their clients. The government wants security and helps support these organizations to move their extensive database of information to new applications. Hiring a software company to import all clients’ data is costly because hundreds of thousands of documents must be integrated into the new online system. Employees, nurses, and doctors need access to patients’ information and online platforms that pull information from databases and allow multiple users access to move the client from check-in, treatment, and checkout as smooth as possible. Dyzma (2020) lists 13 types of healthcare software needed: “1. Electronic Health Record (EHR) Software which includes: Electronic patient record software (EPR) – used internally by hospitals to store and process their patient information. Electronic medical record software (EMR) – is used to store data like medication types and dosage, past and planned procedures and data on the patient’s recovery course. 2. Medical database software. 3. Medical research software. 4. Medical diagnosis software. 5. Medical imaging software. 6. E-prescribing software. 7. Telemedicine software. 8. Appointment scheduling (booking) software. 9. Medical billing software. 10. Hospital management software. 11. Medical equipment management software. 12. Health tracking apps. 13. Personal Health Record software (medical diaries).” (p1).
These medical software applications are sometimes combined in one online application and need fast and updated computers. The administration has access to online databases to check insurance coverage and billing options. Doctors and nurses have access to client information databases to have a history of symptoms and treatments. Medical personnel are required to send information to government agencies. Doctors and nurses send Labs and referrals for clients, and when results come back, they enter the results and send messages of results to the client automatically by clicking a button in the patient’s profile. Everything is transmitted over encryption to protect the client’s information.
Computers are used in all types of medical equipment to show digital results of X-rays, cat scans, ultrasounds, and many other informative and life-saving devices. Programmers design software for each device and work hard to ensure security and updates are provided as necessary. Employees need to understand how to operate computers to navigate quickly through these systems because life is in their hands. As technology has significantly advanced in the medical field, employees must keep up with the new options available. Future healthcare options will involve artificial intelligence (AI) diagnosis by DNA and treatment’s structure specifically for each patient. According to Uniphore (2022), virtual healthcare environments are in great demand and are convenient for patients. AI can spot medical discrepancies in billing and help in diagnosis and treatment (2022). Computers will have a significant impact on many fields in the healthcare industry.
Jacob shows in the illustration at the top of the page how AI can help in the future (2020). If you would like to read his article click on the picture above or this link:https://medium.com/@beyondkeysolutions/7-reasons-ai-and-healthcare-can-work-together-to-lead-to-a-better-future-43d73fab7b9f.
Computers are here to stay and will continue to enhance the quality of life around us.
References
CDC, (2022) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/publications/topic/hipaa.html#:~:text=The%20Health%20Insurance%20Portability%20and,the%20patient's%20consent%20or%20knowledge.
Dyzma, M. (2020 May 06) 13 Types of Healthcare Software. Retrieved from https://www.netguru.com/blog/healthcare-software-types
Jacob, S. (2020 May 05) 7 Reasons AI and Healthcare Can Work Together to Lead to a Better Future. Retrieved from https://medium.com/@beyondkeysolutions/7-reasons-ai-and-healthcare-can-work-together-to-lead-to-a-better-future-43d73fab7b9f
Uniphore, (2022) HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS Demand for virtual healthcare is 7x higher* than before. Retrieved from https://www.uniphore.com/industry/healthcare/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=conversational-ai-usa&utm_content=conversational-ai-health&creative=488493070454&keyword=ai%20and%20healthcare&matchtype=b&network=g&device=c&gclid=CjwKCAjwrqqSBhBbEiwAlQeqGsADeNxdQZrdCGwS-6RTXFqcIEVXpidpz89fR7ZuJ9W0ZkVW_SQROBoCW2QQAvD_BwE
