Blog Post # 5 - Computers In The Workplace

Computers In Healthcare

For my discussion post, I chose the healthcare industry since I have been employed within a hospital for the past eighteen years. In that time, I have seen many upgrades and advances in technology. 

While I do not provide direct patient care, I am familiar with some aspects of a Healthcare facility and computer Literacy is an essential requirement. From the minute a patient walks into a Healthcare facility, patients are greeted by a member of the registration department or the information desk. Both of them are usually seated right by one or more computers running different types of software. 

Without a working knowledge of computers and the necessary software, the two employees mentioned above would not be able to serve the patient accurately. Nurses and Doctors rely heavily on computerized charting software and their workstations on wheels (W.O.W.) to view lab results and patient history; these computers are equipped with barcode scanners that are used to scan a patient’s I.D. bracelet. 

Considering the healthcare industry’s resources and the importance of keeping up with the competition, I have seen a lot changes in technology. Within the next ten years and healthcare’s need to remain on the cutting edge, I feel that technology such as augmented reality could be used to diagnose and even reduce wait times as well as the need for a patient to be at a doctor’s office physically.

With internet speeds and network security advances, it may someday be commonplace for a surgeon to perform entire operations from a separate location miles away using robotics.

I received some insight on my post from classmate "JG"; her feedback helped me to rethink the need for prep work in operating rooms by nurses and other staff members who may not benefit from a Doctor being offsite. 

"JG" wrote: " I completely agree about telemedicine replacing the need for patients to physically be in the doctors' office, not sure what you mean by augmented reality can be used to diagnose and reduce wait times, can you elaborate?  Also, I'm not quite sure at this point in time if medicine is ready for the doctor to be in a separate location while performing operations, although it might be safer with the concerns about the coronavirus. You'd still need nurses to prepare the patient for surgery and to get all the surgical instruments ready though, maybe that will be ready in the next 15 years but I think there is a lot more preparation before that happens."