3 Main Uses of Computer in Medical Field

Computer is playing very important role in medical fields. Nearly every area of the medical field uses computers. They are helping the doctors to diagnose diseases and for many other purposes.


The three main uses of computer in medical field are described below:
1- Patient Monitoring
    Different electronic scanning devices (medical equipment) are used in hospitals. They are connected with computers. These devices are used to monitor the patient continuously. Thus computers are normally used in the following medical units of hospitals for monitoring patients.
  • ICU (Intensive Care Unit)
  • Operation Theater
  • Recovery Room
  • Medical Ward
  • ECG (Electrocardiograph)

The medical equipment with sensors is attached to the patient. It detects changes in heart rate, pulse rate, blood pressure, breathing and brain activity. If any unbalancing situation occurs, computer activates the alarming device, which creates sound and alerts the medical staff.

2- Maintaining Patient History & Other Records
    The complete bio-data as well as medical history of a patient is recorded into the computer. The medical history is delivered to the related doctor for the check up of the patient. In this way, much of the doctor's time is saved.

In addition to patient history, other information about doctors, medicines, and medical equipments is also maintained through computers. These information can be retrieved very easily and quickly.

3- Diagnosis
    Computer is also used in hospitals for diagnosing diseases. Different medical tests depend upon the computerized devices such as laboratory test of blood.

One common use of computer in hospitals is to scan the body of patient. A special scanner is used for this purpose. For example, the CAT (Computerized Axial Tomography) scanner passes rays over the patient. It displays an image of bone and tissue structure of patient on a computer screen. This image is printed on the printer. It is also store in computer for later use.