5 Ways Hospitals Are Using Medical Computer Systems

The Impact Medical Grade Computers have on Healthcare

Recent government regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and Medicare/Medicaid often require (or at least benefit from) certified medical computer systems. As such systems become more sophisticated and less expensive, they’re going to be absolutely essential to quality patient care. How can an integrated medical PC help your hospital? We’ve collected a brief list of 5 specific ways.

EMR Software Runs Best on Compliant Medical Computers

A recent study from JAMA Internal Medicine found that over 44% of surveyed physicians spent excessive time filling out electronic medical records (EMR) at home: a serious drain on energy and emotional reserves. Hospitals need computers capable of running electronic medical record (EMR) software smoothly, as well as letting staff to access the materials they need with a minimum of fuss.

Medical Cart Computers Make Rounds more Efficient

Medical carts allow hospital staff to move their computer from patient to patient and location to location as needed. Powered carts make a good option in some cases, but they can be expensive, and the additional weight can make them more difficult to maneuver through hospital corridors. Medical cart computers with hot swappable batteries – which can be switched out for fresh batteries without having to shut the machine off – allow staff to use lighter non-powered carts without being tethered to a wall outlet.

Mobile Charting with Medical Grade Tablets

Having a dedicated computer in every patient room isn’t always possible for facilities with tighter budget constraints. A lot of hospitals are turning to mobile medical devices as an alternative to medical carts. Nurses and physicians can walk into a patient room or exam room with a medical grade tablet and do their charting on the go. And a medical tablet with a barcode scanner lets them scan patient ID bracelets, IV bags or other medication bottles to ensure that a patient is receiving the right medication.

Improving Patient Safety in Operating Rooms

The operating theater and other key locations need to be free of potential contamination, such as dust, electromagnetic signals, radiation and similar emissions. A fanless medical computer can address those problems quickly and effectively, utilizing advanced passive cooling technology to ensure the sterility of the space. IP65 certification ensures that the system can be cleaned and disinfected without damaging the components, while UL60601-1 certification allows the system to be used in close proximity to a patient with no danger.

Increasing Patient Satisfaction and Engagement

Health IT is invaluable to keeping patients engaged in their treatment and entertained during long hospital stays where cell phone use is often restricted. Similarly, basic questions about the patient’s condition must sometimes wait all day until a doctor or nurse arrives on rounds, increasing anxiety and forcing the patient to wonder about comparatively simple questions.

A medical computer, can provide a wealth of infotainment options, often from the same computer monitors that doctors and nurses use in the patient’s room. Patients can access information about their condition, as well as tuning in entertainment services like Netflix and contacting friends and family via built-in voice and video applications.