Western Mindanao State University

College of Nursing
Nursing Informatics

NURSING AND COMPUTERS

• COMPUTER
• Most powerful technological tool to transform the nursing profession prior to the new century
• Transformed the nursing paper-based records to computer-based records
• 4 MAIN FUNCTIONS OF COMPUTER
1. Accepts data
2. Processes data
3. Produces output
4. Stores results
ST ND RD TH TH
• EVOLUTION OF COMPUTERS 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 GENERATION AND MORE TO COME…
• 1940 – 1956: First Generation – Vacuum Tubes
• 1956 – 1963: Second Generation – Transistors
• 1964 – 1971: Third Generation – Integrated Circuits
• 1972 – 2010: Fourth Generation – Microprocessors
• 2010- : Fifth Generation – Artificial Intelligence
• CLASSES OF COMPUTERS
• Analog Computer
– Handle continuous input data i.e. continuously changing electric patterns of the heartbeat
• Digital Computer
– Handle input that comes in discrete points in time
– Its data are represented by numbers, letters and symbols
• Hybrid Computer
– Contains features of both analog and digital computer
• TYPES OF COMPUTERS
• Supercomputer
– Largest type of computer
– Computational-oriented computer specially designed for scientific applications requiring
gigantic amounts of calculations
– Used in defense and weaponry, weather forecasting, scientific research
• Mainframe
– Fastest, largest and most expensive type of computer
– Workhorse of the business world
– Used for processing, storing and retrieving data.
– Requires special environment—cold and dry.
• TYPES OF COMPUTERS
• Microcomputers (Personal Computers or PCs)
– Used for an increasing number of independent applications as well as serving as a desktop link
to the programs of the mainframe.
• Handheld Computers
– Small, special function computers
– Limited in their expansion capabilities, ability to serve as full participants in the office
network, and the peripherals they can support
 – Personal digital assistants (PDAs)
• TYPES OF COMPUTER
COMPUTER IN
NURSING
• Used to manage information in patient care, monitor the quality of care, and evaluate the outcomes of
care.
• Computers and networks are now used for communicating (sending/receiving) data and messages via
the Internet, accessing resources, and interacting with patients on world wide web (www).
• MAJOR HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES OF NURSING AND COMPUTERS
• SIX TIME PERIODS
1. Prior to the 1960s
– As the computer industry grew, the use of computers in the health care industry also grew.
– There were only a few experts who formed a cadre of pioneers who attempted to adapt
computers to health care and nursing.
– The nursing profession was also undergoing major changes.
– The image of nursing was improving, nursing practices and services were expanding in scope
and complexity, and the number of nurses was increasing.
– These events provided the impetus for the profession to embrace computers 2. 1960s
– Uses of computer technology in health care settings begin to be questioned.
“Why computers? “What should be computerized?”
– Studies were conducted to determine how computer technology could be utilized effectively
in the health care industry and what areas of nursing should be automated
– Computer technology advanced while the number of healthcare facilities increased.
– Introduction of cathode ray tube (CRT) terminals, online data communication, and real time
processing added important dimensions to computer system, providing more accessible and
“user-friendly” machines.
– Hospital Information Systems (HISs) were developed primarily to process financial transactions
and serve as billing and accounting systems.
3. 1970s
– Nurses began to recognize the value of computer for their profession.
– Nurses recognized the computer’s potential for improving the documentation of nursing
practice, the quality of patient care, and the repetitive aspects of managing patient care.
– They assisted in the design and development of nursing applications for HISs and other
environments where nurses functioned
– Health agencies developed and /contracted for their own computer-based management
information systems (MISs)
4. 1980s
– The field of informatics emerged in the health care industry and nursing.
– NI became an accepted specialty and many nursing experts entered the field
– Many mainframe HISs emerged with nursing subsystems (Patient record, Kardex, VS, results
report, discharge planning)
– Microcomputer or personal computer (PC) emerged.
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