Tag: medical computer

strengths and limitations in hospital computers

What are the strengths and limitations of computers in Medicine?

Michelle

The National Library of Medicine, has a publication titled, “APPLICATION OF COMPUTER TECHNIQUES IN MEDICINE”. The article mentions the several applications and limitations of computers. 

Medical computers have become vital tools in the field of medicine, greatly impacting patient care, research, and healthcare administration. However, like any technology, they come with strengths and limitations.

Strengths:

  1. Efficiency and Accuracy: Medical computers can quickly process vast amounts of data and provide precise results. This is particularly beneficial in tasks like medical imaging, diagnostics, and treatment planning.
  1. Data Storage: Medical computers can store patient records, medical histories, and research data in electronic health records (EHRs). These records are easily accessible and can improve patient care by providing a complete medical history.
  1. Telemedicine: Medical computers enable telemedicine, allowing healthcare professionals to remotely diagnose and treat patients, increasing access to care, especially in remote or underserved areas.
  1. Research and Data Analysis: Medical computers help researchers analyze vast datasets, simulate medical conditions, and discover new treatments. They play a vital role in genomics, drug discovery, and epidemiological studies.
  1. Decision Support Systems: Medical computers assist healthcare professionals in making clinical decisions, providing recommendations based on medical knowledge and patient data.
  1. Medical Imaging: Medical computers are crucial in processing and interpreting medical images like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. They enhance the precision of diagnoses and assist in minimally invasive surgeries.
  1. Robot-Assisted Surgery: Medical computers enable robotic systems to assist surgeons in performing highly precise procedures, reducing invasiveness and recovery time.

To paraphrase the article regarding limitations:

Computers offer remarkable capabilities for data storage and complex analysis, but their limitations include the absence of decision-making abilities and human-like sensitivity, making data entry a challenge for medical professionals. Computer viruses, such as Joshi, Michael Angelo, DirII, and India, pose threats by multiplying through program usage and destroying files and data. Antivirus programs like Scan, CPAV, and Norton exist to combat these threats, though complete virus eradication remains challenging due to ongoing developments. Initiatives like the Faculty of Computers at the Military College of Telecommunications in Mhow provide computer courses to enhance computer literacy, but a noticeable gap persists in the adoption of clinical computing systems in the medical field. While these systems can address issues associated with traditional medical records, their implementation has been slow. There is an urgent need to raise computer awareness among medical professionals, encouraging them to familiarize themselves with computer applications in medicine and maximize their utility.

Here is a list of hospital computer limitations:

Limitations:

Data Security and Privacy Concerns: Storing sensitive patient information electronically on medical computers poses security risks, with the potential for data breaches and privacy violations.

Cost: Implementing and maintaining medical computer systems in healthcare can be expensive. Smaller medical facilities may struggle to invest in advanced technology.

Learning Curve: Healthcare professionals need to adapt to new medical computer technologies and software, which can be time-consuming and occasionally challenging.

Data Overload: The vast amount of medical information available can be overwhelming, leading to “alert fatigue” in clinical decision support systems, where healthcare providers may ignore important alerts.

Diagnostic Errors: While medical computers can enhance accuracy, they are not infallible. They may misinterpret data or images, leading to diagnostic errors if not used judiciously.

Reduced Patient Interaction: As medical computer technology advances, there’s a risk of reduced face-to-face patient interaction, which is an essential aspect of healthcare.

Uneven Access: Access to advanced medical computer-based healthcare services can be unequal, disadvantaging individuals in underserved or remote areas with limited connectivity.

Medical computers have revolutionized medicine, offering efficiency, data management, and diagnostic support. However, their use in healthcare also raises concerns about data security, cost, and the potential for reduced human interaction. Balancing these strengths and limitations is essential to ensure that medical computer technology in medicine serves the best interests of both healthcare providers and patients.

Tangent is the forefront pioneer of medical computers. Tangent carefully engineers computers while taking into consideration possible limitations. 

Medical PC for Efficiency

Medical PCs: Powering Healthcare Innovation and Efficiency

Admin

In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare, technological advancements are revolutionizing patient care, improving outcomes, and enhancing operational efficiency. At the heart of this transformation are medical PCs, purpose-built computing devices designed to meet the unique demands and rigorous standards of the healthcare industry. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the essential role of medical PCs in powering healthcare innovation and efficiency, enabling healthcare providers to deliver superior patient care while streamlining their workflows.

Medical PCs Enhance Patient Care:

  1. Reliable and Secure Data Management: Medical PCs provide a secure and centralized platform for storing, accessing, and managing electronic health records (EHRs). This enables healthcare professionals to retrieve patient information swiftly, make informed decisions, and improve the accuracy and speed of diagnoses and treatments.
  2. Seamless Connectivity and Collaboration: Medical PCs facilitate seamless connectivity and collaboration among healthcare providers, allowing instant access to patient data, test results, and treatment plans across different departments and locations. This enhances care coordination, reduces errors, and enables more effective and timely decision-making.
  3. Point-of-Care Accessibility: Medical PCs are designed for mobility, enabling healthcare professionals to access patient information and record data directly at the point of care. Whether in hospital rooms, clinics, or operating theaters, these devices empower healthcare providers to deliver personalized, efficient, and patient-centric care.

Medical PCs Improve Operational Efficiency:

  1. Streamlined Workflows: Medical PCs integrate with various healthcare systems, such as electronic medical record (EMR) systems and laboratory information systems, streamlining workflows and reducing manual paperwork. They automate administrative tasks, improve data accuracy, and free up healthcare professionals’ time to focus on patient care.
  2. Medical Device Integration: Medical PCs can seamlessly interface with a wide range of medical devices, such as diagnostic equipment, patient monitors, and imaging systems. This integration enables real-time data capture, analysis, and visualization, facilitating faster diagnoses, treatment adjustments, and monitoring.
  3. Infection Control and Durability: Medical PCs are built to withstand the demanding healthcare environment. They feature antimicrobial coatings, sealed designs, and easy-to-clean surfaces to minimize the risk of cross-contamination. Their durability ensures long-term reliability, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
  4. Medication Administration and Safety: Medical PCs support barcode scanning and medication verification processes, ensuring accurate medication administration and reducing medication errors. Integration with medication management systems and decision support tools further enhances patient safety and medication management efficiency.

Meeting Regulatory and Compliance Requirements with Medical PCs:

  1. HIPAA and Data Security: Medical PCs adhere to strict data security standards, including compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). They employ robust encryption, authentication, and access control measures to safeguard patient data, ensuring privacy and confidentiality.
  2. FDA and Medical Device Regulations: Medical PCs comply with the regulations set forth by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for medical devices. They undergo rigorous testing and validation processes to meet safety, performance, and interoperability requirements.
  3. Quality and Certification: Medical PCs often hold certifications, such as ISO 13485 (for medical device quality management systems) and IEC 60601 (for medical electrical equipment safety). These certifications attest to the devices’ adherence to stringent quality standards, ensuring their reliability and suitability for use in healthcare settings.

As healthcare continues to advance and evolve, the role of medical PCs in powering innovation and efficiency becomes increasingly vital. These purpose-built computing devices enhance patient care, improve operational efficiency, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. By leveraging the capabilities of medical PCs, healthcare providers can unlock the potential of technology to deliver superior care, streamline workflows, and drive healthcare innovation in an increasingly interconnected world.

Discover our medical PCs at: https://www.tangent.com/medical-computers/

medical pcs in healthcare

The Role of Medical PCs in Modern Healthcare

Michelle

Medical PCs have become an essential component in modern healthcare, enabling healthcare providers to provide efficient, accurate, and effective patient care. Medical PCs are computers designed specifically for use in healthcare settings, with features and functions that cater to the unique needs of healthcare providers. In this blog, we will explore the role of medical PCs in modern healthcare and the benefits they offer to healthcare providers.

Role of Medical PCs in Modern Healthcare:

  1. Medical PCs streamline healthcare operations

Medical PCs have transformed healthcare operations, allowing healthcare providers to streamline their workflows and reduce the risk of errors. Medical PCs are designed to be used in clinical settings, with features such as touch screens, antimicrobial coatings, and fanless designs to ensure they are durable, easy to clean, and hygienic. These features make medical PCs ideal for use in healthcare environments where infection control is critical.

  1. Medical PCs improve patient care

Medical PCs have a significant impact on patient care, enabling healthcare providers to access patient records, review test results, and communicate with other healthcare professionals in real-time. Medical PCs are often used in conjunction with electronic health record (EHR) systems, enabling healthcare providers to access and update patient records instantly. This can lead to better patient outcomes, improved patient safety, and reduced medical errors.

  1. Medical PCs enhance clinical decision-making

Medical PCs provide healthcare providers with access to critical patient data, enabling them to make informed decisions about patient care. Medical PCs can be used to display medical images, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, providing healthcare providers with a detailed view of a patient’s condition. Medical PCs can also be used to access medical reference materials, such as medical textbooks and clinical guidelines, providing healthcare providers with the latest information about medical conditions and treatments.

Benefits of Medical PCs in Modern Healthcare:

  1. Increased efficiency

Medical PCs enable healthcare providers to access patient records and other medical data quickly and easily, reducing the time needed for administrative tasks and enabling providers to focus on patient care.

  1. Improved accuracy

Medical PCs provide healthcare providers with access to real-time patient data, reducing the risk of errors and improving patient safety.

  1. Better communication

Medical PCs enable healthcare providers to communicate with other healthcare professionals in real-time, facilitating collaboration and improving the quality of patient care.

  1. Enhanced patient care

Medical PCs enable healthcare providers to access critical patient data, providing them with the information they need to make informed decisions about patient care.

  1. Improved patient outcomes

Medical PCs can lead to better patient outcomes by reducing medical errors, improving patient safety, and enabling healthcare providers to provide more accurate and effective patient care.

Medical PCs have become an integral part of modern healthcare, providing healthcare providers with the tools they need to provide efficient, accurate, and effective patient care. Medical PCs enable healthcare providers to streamline their workflows, access critical patient data, and communicate with other healthcare professionals in real-time. The benefits of medical PCs in modern healthcare are numerous, and they are likely to play an increasingly important role in the future of healthcare.

medical pcs

Waterproof Properties of Medical PCs

Michelle

Computers have become the backbone of the health care industry. They allow medical workers to efficiently process patient cases, control devices that perform CT scans, ultrasounds, MRIs, or blood tests, and help doctors show patients their X-rays to explain their situation.

And given the technical demands of the health care environment, purchasing waterproof medical PCs that can withstand incidents like blood and vomit splatter is crucial. But how can you know if a medical PC is waterproof?

Let’s find out. 

Why Do Medical PCs Need to Be Waterproof?

As medical PCs are used in ICUs, emergency rooms, and wards, they’re often exposed to fluids like vomit, blood, or urine that could penetrate inside and damage the motherboard or processor of the computer, rendering it unusable. 

And this is not a farfetched scenario. 

In reality, liquid spills are par for the course in hospitals, so the likelihood of liquid exposure is very high. Also, a medical PC that shuts down in the middle of an operation can be disastrous for the patient, surgeon, and hospital. 

So, all medical PCs must have an IP65 rating, which means they must come with sealed bezels and zero crevices that could lead to water intake. 

3 Properties That Make Medical PCs Waterproof

Medical PCs aren’t like consumer-grade PCs, which have dozens of crevices through which water can sneak in. But what makes them different?  

  1. They Have Sealed Bezels 

Unlike conventional PCs, medical PCs come with sealed front bezels that prevent water from penetrating the PC components. 

As a result, the likelihood of the PC’s processor being soaked in an accidental liquid spill decreases, allowing surgeries and screenings to continue in even the dampest environments.   

  1. They Have Waterproof Panels

Hospitals and other health care environments are pits of bacteria, so medical PCs have to be scrubbed every few hours with antibiotic and antiviral solutions to keep infections at bay. 

As a result, their outer surfaces have to be water-resistant so water doesn’t seep into the inner components when they are scrubbed using chlorine-water solutions or alcohol. 

  1. They Have an IP65 Rating

An IP65 rating protects an appliance against condensation, water spray, and low-pressure water jets from all directions. Medical PCs usually have an IP65 rating, which means they’re protected against accidental liquid spills in the hospital environment. 

The Bottom Line

The hospital environment is a hotbed of liquid spills and constant antimicrobial scrubbing, so any PC used in a health care setting is likely to get soaked at one time or another. And if the PC isn’t waterproof, it may be damaged beyond repair. 

Thus, medical PCs, such as Tangent’s Medix M27T and Medix M24T, should have sealed bezels, an IP65 rating, and waterproof panels to withstand the hospital environment. 

medical computer lifetime

How long do Medical Computers Last?

Michelle

Medical computers have unique features and specifications compared to consumer grade computers. The lifetime of healthcare-specific medical computers depends on the quality of the manufacturer. Durable components and sound engineering help determine the longevity of units. Like all electronic devices, there are brands and companies that healthcare administrators have come to rely on for performance and quality. 

Medical Computer Lifespan

Medical computer lifespans are important considerations for healthcare facilities. New medical computers have a learning curve. Familiarity with the unit, such as new features, port locations or display arrangements require time for integration. Medical facilities may provide staff training and require additional user support, typically in the first few weeks.  Annual medical computer replacements would cause too frequent waves in facility performance and efficiency. Many healthcare facilities, have flexible intervals in place for medical computer replacement times, thus finding a unit that will function properly until the next replacement interval is imperative. For most healthcare environments, three to five years is the replacement interval.

Medical computers by Tangent have a lifespan of 5 years plus.

Sooner replacements, due to medical computer failure can result in unplanned spending and frustration. Identifying a reliable medical computer manufacturer is imperative for reliability and to prevent workplace mishaps.

Tangent offers computers made specifically for healthcare institutions meeting the timeline for unit replacement.

Indications for a New Medical Computer

Beyond the typical three to five year medical computer replacement mark, there are indications to be aware of that signify its time for a medical computer change.

1. Software Compatibility: If your medical computer no longer supports your operating system, it’s time for a change. Receiving alerts and warnings that applications are no longer compatible with your medical computer operating system can indicate you need to replace your medical computer.

2. Poor Performance: Medical facilities are provide lifesaving services and there is no greater place for the need of efficiency. When your medical computer begins to operate sluggishly and unable to multitask rapidly, it’s time for a computer change.

3. Security Issues: At any time, receiving security warnings requires a call to your IT department. Patient confidentiality and sensitive information can never be jeopardized. Security vulnerabilities from failed software updates stemming from compatibility issues can indicate it’s time for a medical computer replacement.

Superior Craftsmanship by Tangent

Tangent medical computers use only the highest quality components. There is no stone left unturned when it comes to selecting the best-in-class CPUs, operating software, RAM, processors, graphics cards, touchscreens, ports.

In business for over 30 years, healthcare administrators have come to trust Tangent medical computers for reliability, efficiency, and quality. Using state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques, combined with top-of-the-line engineering, Tangent’s medical computers are powerhouse units providing reliable performance for years. 

Contact Tangent today +1 800 342 9388.

Do medical computers need touchscreens

Do Medical Computers Need Touchscreens?

Michelle

When people refer to their “phone” these days, it’s more than likely they mean their “smartphone.” Smartphones have become ubiquitous in our society, and are becoming increasingly necessary for everyday life. But what caused these smartphones to take over their older cousins? One of the defining features that played a large role is the humble touchscreen. Touchscreens have become a must-have for phones for the ease of use they create. As  the adoption of smartphones and even tablets into the workplace have shown, touchscreens play an important role in the evolution of technology and how we use it. But what about their use in the medical field, do medical computers need touchscreens?

Why Medical Computers Need Touchscreens

Medical computers work perfectly in the medical setting. As such, we can broaden this question out a bit more and consider whether computers need touchscreens. On a smartphone, touchscreens allow for a style of control that mouses and keyboards lack: gestures. 

A gesture refers to the ways in which your touch(es) can be interpreted by a touchscreen enabled phone, tablet, or computer. For instance, you’ve probably “pinched” your phone’s screen before to zoom out on a photo — that’s a type of gesture. Standard computers are also capable of zooming out on a photo, but often have dedicated buttons or keyboard shortcuts to make these functions happen. With touchscreen computers, these gestures come across as second nature to end users. Because they are routinely using touchscreens on their phones in their daily lives, the shortcuts encapsulated in their gestures come as natural.

In a literal sense, no, medical computers do not NEED touchscreens. However, when taking into consideration ease of use, efficiency and practicality, the need for touchscreen medical computers is compelling.

With touchscreen computers, staff are able to interact with computers in a much more intuitive fashion than they could do with mouse and keyboard shortcuts. This can lead to increased staff productivity. 

Versatility 

medical computers

Touchscreens are completely optional, there are no drawbacks to the user experience with the inclusion of one on a medical computer. Medical computers with touchscreens like the Medix T22B are completely capable of being used with a mouse and keyboard. Users who may be less inclined to use touchscreens can treat the screen just like any other monitor. Staff will fall into a mix of using both the touchscreen and their mouse and keyboard fluidly to accomplish tasks. Computers with touchscreens allow doctors and nurses to quickly zoom in on data or pick information cells in EHR software with just a tap.

Stay Progressive with Your Medical Equipment Selection

Gen Z is hitting the workforce in increasing numbers, taking their intimate knowledge of smartphones and computers with them. By selecting medical computers with touchscreens for your hospital, you are helping improve the way your medical staff can perform their job. For more information, contact Tangent Sales today.

RFID Ready Medical Computers

RFID Ready Medical Computers

Tangent Writing Team

What Is RFID?

RFID stands for Radio-Frequency Identification. The technology standard is made up of RFID tags and readers. These tags have small radio receivers and transmitters inside them. When in contact with a reader, the tag will respond and transmit information it is carrying to the reader. 

These tags can be used for a wide variety of tracking applications across the hospital. One area in which they can be used is in the tracking of patients in the hospital. Patients can have tags built right into their wristbands. These wristbands can then be used to access various doors and areas in the hospital. Your facilities team can set up each wristband to allow for certain privileges and access to specific areas. With these tags, you can ensure that the right people are in the hospital in the right areas. 

Medical Computers With Wireless Readers

RFID readers are the other half of the RFID equation. They pick up the information from tags and display it on devices. Many medical computers rely on clunky RFID reader adapters. These adapters take up ports on the medical computer, as well as desk space. Further, they are prone to being accidentally disconnected and lost.

22b-24b-main-new-medical-computer

Medical computers like the Medix 22B feature an integrated SSO RFID. This reader allows doctors and nurses to quickly and easily sign onto the medical computer with ease. They can simply wave their enabled badge to the medical computer’s reader to gain access to their computer. This solves two problems in one. 

First, your medical staff need strong, long, and complex passwords. By having your IT department tie badges to safe passwords, your hospital can have an increased layer of cyber security. Second, this allows your medical staff to have long passwords without having to remember them exactly or input them slowly everytime they access their computer.

RFID Ready Medical Computers

RFID tags and readers are quickly becoming a required tool in every workplace, including the hospital. Medical computers with built-in readers help your hospital stay on top of the future and prepare for what’s next. Make sure your hospital has the right tools by calling Tangent Sales today and asking about their range of RFID enabled devices.

HygienicComputers

Hygienic Medical Computers

Tangent Writing Team

Cleanliness remains a top priority for hospitals everywhere. Since the introduction of handwashing into the medical field, efforts to curb disease spread in the hospital have been largely successful. Still, medical institutions must remain vigilant in their hygienic practices to ensure that the risks to patients are minimized. Hospitals need quality medical computers that help to create a safe and clean environment for both staff and patients.

Why Medical Computer Hygiene Matters

Your doctors and nurses are constantly moving from one room to the next in your hospital. Throughout their busy day, they visit numerous different patients and co-workers. While they may not directly come into contact with each other, they no doubt all use the same medical computer in any given room. These computers become a breeding ground for harmful pathogens as staff use them throughout the workday. 

But not all medical computers are afflicted by this issue. Many of them feature an antimicrobial coating to help protect against microbes. 

Antimicrobial Coatings Add A Layer Of Protection

An antimicrobial coating mitigates the growth of pathogens on whatever surface it is spread on. These coatings work along the same lines as naturally occurring antimicrobial materials, like copper. Antimicrobial materials  interrupt a bacteria cell’s respiratory and metabolic functions. Over a brief period of time, this leads to the cell being unable to create energy and proliferate.

Medical grade computer for emergency room us, the KW line from Tangent

Medical computers like the KW15 from Tangent feature an antimicrobial coating across its surfaces. The KW15’s enclosure mitigates the growth of pathogens, which helps create a safer hospital environment overall. The cast aluminum enclosure is also built to last, and features a fanless cooling system. The KW15 also features other sanitary features, such as a washable touchscreen to help make it even more hygienic.

Washable Medical Computers

Doctors and nurses routinely wash their hands throughout a shift to minimize the risk of spreading pathogens around the hospital. Likewise, medical computers should be routinely cleaned to minimize disease transmission. Computers from Tangent feature antimicrobial enclosures to help mitigate this transmission. But they also sport IP rated touchscreens as an added layer of protection.

The Medix 22 from Tangent features an IP65 rated touchscreen that can be easily cleaned. This touchscreen can withstand standard cleaning agents without damage to the screen. Doctors and nurses can give their computers a quick cleanup before and after use. Combined with its antimicrobial layer, the Medix 22’s IP65 rated touchscreen can give medical staff peace of mind about the sanitation efforts being employed.