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Unit One: Foundations of

Nursing Informatics

Dr . Elham Al Ateeq

Anatomy and Physiology of

Computers
Major Historical Perspectives Of
Nursing & Computers
Health Institutions & Information
Processing
Significance Of Information Processing In
Health Care
Professional Networking (Hospital
Intranet and Extranet)

Computer is the most powerful technological tool

to transform the nursing profession prior to the
new century.
Today and tomorrow the computer and internet
are essential for all settings were nurses
function-hospitals, ambulatory care centers and
schools of nursing.

Anatomy and Physiology of

Computers
For most people the inner workings of a
television are a mystery, but that does
not stop them from using and enjoying
television.
In the same way, it is not necessary to
understand all the details of computer
technology before it can be used to great
advantage.

It is important to have a mental picture of a

computer before we proceed. It is also
helpful to understand some computer
terminology.

PC (Personal Computer)
Desktop

laptop

Hardware

Any physical component of the computer and its part

Software
A digital instruction to be run by computer
Program
Piece of software
Word processer
Spread sheets

Two main parts to any computer

system
1. Hardware: is the term that describes the
physical pieces of the computer, commonly
grouped in five categories.
1.Input: Data must be placed into the computer
before the computer can be useful
Keyboard, Touch screen, Light pen, Mouse, Voice,
Pen-based.

2. Memory (RAM & ROM): All data processing

takes place in memory.

 3. Central processing unit (CPU): This is the

brain of the computer, which coordinates all
the activities and does the actual data
processing.
4. Storage: The data and programs can be
saved for future use. (Hard disk drive, flash
drive).
5. Output: Processed data are of little value
to people unless they can see the data in
some form. ( monitors, printers)

2.Software
Is the term that describes the nonphysical
pieces. Software can be considered the
physiology of a computer, the instructions
that make its anatomy function properly. It
can be grouped into two categories.

 Operating systems: This is the collection of

standard computer activities that need to be
done consistently and reliably. These processes
are the building blocks for computer functions
and programs. Mac/links/Windows 8.1
Application programs: These are packages of
instructions that combine logic and mathematical
processing using the building blocks of the
computer. Programs are what make computers
valuable to people by transforming raw data into
information. (Microsoft office, Photoshop, Autocad)

Application programs

Common Computer Terms

Chip

Chips
Refers to a small piece of silicon that has
electronic logic circuits built into it. A chip
can hold millions of circuits in something
that is about one-quarter of an inch on
each side .
The chip is the fundamental physical piece
used for computer memory and central
processing units.

RAM and ROM are the two types of

memory that a computer uses.
ROM stands for Read-Only Memory. Is a
form of a permanent storage. This mean
that the data cannot be erased or altered.
is a type of "built-in" memory that is
capable of holding data and having that
data read from the chip, but not written to
by the system. ROM storage is not erased
when the computer is turned off.

ROM and RAM

A computer has a sufficient amount of
ROM built in by the manufacturer. ROM is
preloaded with the low-level logic and
processes needed to start the computer
when its power is turned on (a process
called booting up).
RAM stands for Random-Access Memory.
Refers to working memory used for
primary storage. It is volatile (changeable)
and used as a temporary storage.

 RAM can be accessed used, change, and

written on repeatedly. It contains data and
instructions that are stored and processed
by application program.
Most computers also have a starting
amount of RAM preinstalled. RAM can be
purchased separately, though, and
installed as needed. RAM is the work area
available to the CPU for processing
application. The contents of RAM are lost
whenever the power to the computer is
turned off.

Bit is the smallest part of computer

memory. It can hold exactly one piece of
information that has only two possible
values, either a one (1) or a zero (0). This
two-value system is called a binary
system.

Byte is the fundamental grouping of bits

used to make up computer memory. By
grouping bits together and setting these
bits to either 0 or 1 in different
combinations, a coding scheme can be
built to represent information.
The byte is the basic measuring unit for
memory capacity or storage capacity.

Computer technology emerge in nursing in

response to the changing and developing
technologies in the health care industry and in
nursing practice

Prior to
1960s

There were only a few experts who

formed a cadre of pioneers that
attempted to adapt computers to
health care and nursing.

The image of nursing was

improving - computers were used
for basic business office functions.

Used punch cards to store data and

card readers to read computer
programs, sort, and prepare data
for processing.

Uses of computer technology in

health care setting began to be
questioned.

1960s

Nurses station in the hospital was

viewed as the hub of information
exchange..

During this period, computer

technology advanced, while the
number of health care facilities
increased

Introduction of cathode ray tube

terminals, online data communication,
and real time processing added important
dimensions to the computer system.-.

1960s

Hospital information systems were

developed primarily to process
financial transactions and serve as
billing and accounting systems

Vendors of computer systems were

beginning to enter the health care
field

1970s

1970s

1970s

Continued integration of computers into nursing. improvement of documentation (nurses chart, vital
signs, etc.).

Mainframe HIS were designed and develop

management of care

During this period, several states and large

community health agencies developed.

1980s

1980s

1980s

The Field Of Informatics Emerged In The Health

Care Industry And Nursing

Updates On Practice Standards

Mainframe HISs Emerged With Nursing

Subsystems

1980s

Discharged Planning System Were Developed And

Used As Referrals To Community Health Care
Facilities

1980s

Microcomputer Or Personal Computer (PC)

Emerged

1990s

1992s

1992s

Computer technology
became an integral part
of health care settings,
nursing practice, and
the nursing profession
NI was approved by
the American Nurses
Association (ANA) as
a new nursing
specialty.
Workstations, local area
networks (LANs) and
wide area networks
(WANs) were developed

Smaller and faster

computers-laptops
and notebooks arise.

Introduction of
internet.

Post 2000
Torrid pace of hardware and software development and
growth wireless point-of-care developed

2000
Clinical information systems became individualized in the
electronic patient record (EPR) and lifelong longitudinal record
or the electronic health record (EHR).
2000

Personal digital assistance (PDA) and smart cellular

telephones continued to advanced

2000

2000

2000

Use of Voice over internet protocol (VoIP)critical care units are monitored remotely by
health care provides (eICU)
Telenursing is increasing in popularity
and providing patient care in an efficient
and expeditious fashion.
Health insurance portability and
Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
was enacted.

 Health information systems strongly influence quality

and efficiency of health care, and technical progress
offers advanced opportunities to support health care

1.Information
Processing as
Quality Factor

2. Information
Processing as
Cost Factor

3.Information
as
Productivity
Factor

4. Holistic
View of the
Patient

5. Hospital
Information
System as
Memory and
Nervous
System

 Decisions of health care professionals are based on

vast amounts of information about the patients
health state. It is essential for the quality of patient
care and for the quality of hospital management to
fulfill these information needs.
Thus, information processing is an important quality
factor in health care and, in particular, in hospitals

Radiological conference in a radio diagnostic

department

 Looking at computer-based information processing, the annual

budget that health care institutions spend on information and
communication technology (ICT), In many hospitals, the annual
budget is even lower
When looking at non-computer-based information processing the
numbers become increasingly vague
It is clear that, on the one hand, efficient information processing
offers vast potential for cost reductions. On the other hand,
inefficient information processing leads to cost increases

The office of a senior physician

 Informatics and information and communication

technology (ICT) are playing a key role.
Information, bound to a medium of matter or energy,
but largely independent of place and time, shall be made
available to people at any time and in any place
imaginable.
Information shall find its way to people, not vice versa.

Productivity is defined as a ratio of output and input.

 Information processing in a hospital should offer a

comprehensive, holistic view of he patient and of the
hospital.
This holistic view on the patient can reduce undesired
consequences
Despite highly differentiated diagnostics and therapy,
and the multitude of people andareas in a hospital

adequate information processing (and a good hospital

informationsystem) can help to make information about
a patient available completely

An example of the patient summary within an

electronic patient record

 A hospital information system, comprising the

information processing and storage in a hospital to a
certain extent can be compared to the information
processing of a human being

paper-based patient record archive as one information

storing part of the hospitals memory and nervous system

Snapshot in a server room of a hospital showing the

computer-based nerve cords of the hospitals memory and
nervous system

Professional Networking
(Hospital Intranet and Extranet)
The merge of telecommunications and
informatics has opened up a
new world of communication service
delivery and health information for
consumers and health professionals. This
section is designed to provide a basic
understanding of the Internet, intranets,
and extranets.

What is Internet
The Internet is the name for a group of
worldwide computer-based information
resources that are connected. It is often
defined as a network of networks of
computers.

What is internet
The Internet is a people-oriented
community that allows millions of
individuals around the world to
communicate with one another.
The computers move the information
around and execute the programs that
allow us to access the information.
However, it is the information itself and the
people connected to the information that
make the Internet useful.

Direct Connection to the

Internet
A direct or dedicated connection wires a
personal computer directly to the Internet
through a dedicated machine called a
router or gateway. The connection is
made over a special kind of telephone
line.

Connecting Through Anothers

Gateway
is to use a gateway that another company
or institution has established. It allows
individuals to connect to the Internet using
their system. The connection is usually
made through a modem or remote
terminal.

Connecting Through a
Commercial Service Provider
The service provider builds and maintains
the gateway and sells Internet connection
access to individuals and organizations.
The service provider supplies a user name
and password to connect to its gateway.
Service providers usually charge a flat fee
to provide a certain amount of Internet
access per month

Ways to Connect to a
Commercial Service Provider
Today there are four main ways to
connect your computer to an Internet
Service Provider:

dial-up,
DSL,
cable,
or wireless.

Security Issues
Connecting to the Internet gives others the
opportunity to cause trouble for you. There
are two ways your computer can be
attacked: directly and indirectly.
Hacking or CrackingDirect Attack,
To block these direct attacks, you need
something called a firewall. This is either part
of the computer hardware or a computer
software program.

LANs Vs WANs
LAN is local Area network which is a
network confined to a small geographic
area which is a building or a group of
buildings.
WAN is wide area network which is a
network spread over a large geographic
area. The largest WAN is the internet.

Graham Betts

VirusesIndirect Attack
Viruses are small programs hidden inside
legitimate files or e-mail messages. The
virus-infected files might come as part of
an e-mail message or might be given to
you on a computer disk. When you access
these files or e-mail messages, the viruses
start running.

World Wide Web

The World Wide Web (variously called
WWW, W3, or the Web) was developed in
an attempt to make sense of all the
Internet resources. The goal of WWW
development was to offer a simple,
consistent, intuitive interface to the vast
resources of the Internet.
Each of these activities required running a
variety of applications such as FTP,
Telnet, Archie, or an image viewer.

Web browser
A Web browser program knows how to
interpret and display the hypertext
documents it finds on the Web. There are
many browsers on the market. The two
most popular graphical user interface
(GUI) or windows-based browsers are
Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape
Communicator

Web browser

Web Browsers
The World Wide Web project developed a
standard way of referencing an item
whether it was a graphics file, a document
or a link to another computer. This
standardized reference is a URL. The URL
is a complete description of the item
including its location on the Internet. A
typical URL is:
http://www.springer-sbm.com

Intranets and Extranets

The organizations, create private internets, called
intranets. Information and people can then be
connected in the same easy fashion as on the larger
public Internet.
Organizations thus have all the advantages for
information sharing and communication for their people
without the security concerns of using the public Internet.
If organizations then selectively allow outside agencies
to connect to their intranet, they have now created an
extranet. This extranet allows several organizations with
common purpose to share information on an extended
intranet.

-Information processing should

offer a holistic view of the patient
and of the hospital.
-A hospital information system
can be regarded as
the memory and
nervous system of a hospital

Information processing is an important

quality factor, but an enormous cost
factor as well.
It is also becoming a productivity factor..

A-The integrated
the amount of informationB-The systematic
processing of information is processing in hospitals is
processing of information
important, because
considerable, and
all groups of people and health care professionals contributes to highquality patient care
all areas of a hospital
frequently work with the
reduces costs..
depend on its quality,
same data..
.

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