Computers and Technology in Health Care - KEY TERMS
Adenosine stress test
A diagnostic test used to evaluate heart function in patients who cannot exercise; it uses the drug adenosine to simulate the effects of exercise on the heart.
Database
A structured set of data held in a computer, especially one that is accessible in various ways.
Electronic mail (e-mail)
Messages distributed by electronic means from one computer user to one or more recipients via a network.
Firewalls
Security systems that monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
A medical imaging technique used in radiology to form pictures of the anatomy and the physiological processes of the body using strong magnetic fields.
Computer literacy
The ability to understand and use computers and related technology efficiently.
Dobutamine stress test
A heart stress test used for people who cannot exercise, using the drug dobutamine to make the heart beat faster.
Ergonomics
The study of people's efficiency in their working environment, often focused on designing equipment to reduce operator fatigue and discomfort.
Health information exchange (HIE)
The mobilization of health care information electronically across organizations within a region, community, or hospital system.
Mainframe computer
A large, powerful, and expensive computer system capable of supporting hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously.
Computer-aided design (CAD)
The use of computers to create, modify, analyze, or optimize a design (often used in creating prosthetics or dental implants).
Echocardiogram
A test that uses sound waves to create images of the heart's chambers, valves, walls, and the blood vessels attached to the heart.
Exercise stress test
A test used to measure the heart's ability to respond to external stress in a controlled clinical environment (usually on a treadmill).
Image-guided surgery (IGS)
Surgical procedures where the surgeon uses tracked surgical instruments in conjunction with real-time images (like CT or MRI) to guide the operation.
Microcomputer
A small computer that contains a microprocessor as its central processor (typically a PC or laptop).
Computer-assisted instruction (CAI)
An interactive instructional technique whereby a computer is used to present instructional material and monitor learning.
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
A record or display of a person's heartbeat produced by electrocardiography.
Fields
Specific areas within a database record where a particular item of data is stored (e.g., "Last Name").
Internet
A global network providing a variety of information and communication facilities, consisting of interconnected networks.
Networks
A group of two or more computer systems linked together to share resources and information.
Computerized tomography (CT)
A non-invasive imaging method that uses specialized X-ray equipment to create detailed cross-sectional images (slices) of the body.
Electronic health record (EHR)
A digital version of a patient’s paper chart, containing real-time records that make information available instantly and securely to authorized users.
File
A collection of related records stored as a unit in a computer system.
Lasers
Devices that generate intense beams of light, which can be used in surgery to cut or destroy tissue with high precision.
Nuclear stress test
A diagnostic test that uses a small amount of radioactive tracer and a special camera to see how well blood flows to the heart muscle.