Topic 6c - Use of ICT in Healthcare

Knowledge Base                               Inference Engine                               User Interface

Advantages

Will never retire

The computer does not forget/make mistakes - Remembers obscure cases of heart disease

Available 24/7

Computer can store much more info than a doctor can. Takes info from different sources to help diagnose and offer advice of symptoms/prescriptions

Disadvantages

Expensive to set up and buy

Can make errors - e.g wrong dosage of drug for patient whose weight and age were swapped

Over reliance on IT system

Lack of personal contact

MRI - Provides high level of detail on tissue information - very good for detecting brain tumours

CAT - Produced 3D model of patient's bones and organs

Advantages

Allows accurate diagnosis without need for surgery

Surgeon better prepared as knows what he's going to find before opening the body

Disadvantages

Expensive to purchase/run

Have to keep still for long time in MRI

Blood bar coding allows the tracking of blood from its donation to its use

Advantages

Can track a patient/donor if given bad blood

Makes sure patient gets right blood type

Disadvantages

Damaged bar codes cause delays

Sensors used in ITU units such as temperature, blood pressure

Advantages

Allows 24/7 monitoring

Frees up staff

Disadvantages

Calibration needed to check accuracy