Topic 6 (c) Uses of ICT in healthcare

Question 1

Describe Electronic Patient Record

Answer 1

They are a part of a database which is made out of medical and general information

Question 2

What does EPR contain? (10)

Answer 2

Name of patient
NHS number
D.O.B
Allergies
Religion
Blood type
Ethnicity
Next of kin
Gender
Contact details

Question 3

Advantages of EPR (3)

Answer 3

Saves physical space
More accessible
Secure

Question 4

Disadvantages of EPR (3)

Answer 4

Can’t be used without electricity
Risk of data loss
Expensive set-up

Question 5

Advantages of blood tracking systems (3)

Answer 5

Eliminates the need to keep paper records
Cross matching information electronically eliminates the risk of patients given the wrong blood
Can track a patient/donor if given bad blood

Question 6

MRI

Answer 6

Magnetic Resonance Image

Used magnetic and radio waves to build up a detailed picture of the tissues of the patient

Question 7

CAT

Answer 7

Computerised Axial Tomography
Sends out several X-ray beams at different angles to the body.
Produces 3D images of patient’s internal organs

Question 8

Advantages of scanning (4)

Answer 8

Reduces unnecessary operations
Higher cure rate
Helps surgeons plan operations
Allows accurate diagnosis without the need for surgery

Question 9

Disadvantages of scanning (4)

Answer 9

Can break down easily
Can be dangerous for staff exposed to radiation.
Computer scanning is very expensive
With MRI needs to keep still for long periods of time

Question 10

What is the purpose of scanning patients?

Answer 10

To find things that you wouldn’t be able to see visually.

Question 11

2 types of sensors and what they measure

Answer 11

Analogue - quantities that have infinite set of values e.g. temperature, blood pressure and pulse

Digital - set values

Question 12

Advantages if using sensors (3)

Answer 12

Measurements are never missed as they are taken automatically
Frees up medical staff
More accurate readings

Question 13

What is an expert system

Answer 13

An ICT program that emulates the decision-making ability of a human specialist.

Question 14

Knowledge base

Answer 14

A huge organised set of knowledge about a particular subject.

Question 15

Inference engine

Answer 15

A set of rules on which to base decisions.

Question 16

User Interface

Answer 16

The method by which the expert system interacts with the user

Question 17

Advantages of Expert Systems (4)

Answer 17

Never retires
Cheaper than training human expert
Large pool of knowledge compared to human expert
Available 24/7

Question 18

Disadvantages of expert systems (4)

Answer 18

Cost to buy and set up the system
Can make absurd mistakes if the data inputted is wrong
Can be set up wrong
People don’t like talking to a computer

Question 19

Content of barcode (3)

Answer 19

Blood type
Expiration date
Product code

Question 20

How to keep privacy of patients records (4)

Answer 20

Different access levels
Encryption
Password
Audit trails to see who accessed the database

Question 21

Sensors used in a hospital?

Answer 21

Brainwave pattern
Heart rate
Blood sugar
Hormone level
Vitamin level

Question 22

ICT that helps to control situation is a hospital

Answer 22

Life support systems
Automatic doors
Giving babies wristbands with sensors
Fire alarm
Robotic floor cleaning

Question 23

Developments of the use of ICT in medicine

Answer 23

WHO Popular Power Project
Expert systems
Scanners
Sensors
Bionics for replacement limbs

Question 24

Blood bar coding

Answer 24

Allows the tracking of blood from its donation to its use