ICT in Healthcare

Topic 6

WJEC Objectives

• Scanning, life support, computer controlled equipment

• Medical Databases

• Expert systems

• sensors (analogue and digital), data measured and its use• scanning devices; MRI (magnetic resonance image); CAT (computerised axial tomography)• advantages and disadvantages of scanning devices• backup and recovery procedures• new and future developments and limitations.

• electronic patient record keeping (EPR)• blood bar coding and tracking systems ISBT 128• use of the Internet, intranets and extranets• distributed medical databases• backup and recovery procedures• new and future developments and limitations.

• Artificial Intelligence• neural networks and how parallel processors work• software languages (PROLOG, ASPRIN)• expert system shells (knowledge base, inference engine, user interface)• how expert systems work• medical uses of expert systems e.g. MYCIN,NEOMYCIN etc.• advantages and disadvantages of expert systems.

Medical Expert Systems

• Key word is: Artificial Intelligence

• A system based on Rules to reproduce the Role of a Human Expert

• Works by using Questions and Answers– (IF-Then rules)

Medical Expert Systems

3 Parts to Expert System

LEARN THISKnowledge Base

A database of all of the facts and knowledge on a subject

Knowledge Base

A database of all of the facts and knowledge on a subject

Inference Engine

A set of rules to base the decisions on (IF-Then)

Brings the parts of the database together to answer the questions being asked

Inference Engine

A set of rules to base the decisions on (IF-Then)

Brings the parts of the database together to answer the questions being askedUser Interface

How the questions and answers are presented to the user

User Interface

How the questions and answers are presented to the user

Exam Question

Extensive use is made of Expert Systems. State the three main components of every

expert system and then describe with examples the advantages and disadvantages of using an expert system in medicine. [7]

Exam Question Answers

Medical Databases (ERP)

• Pre-Electronic Database

Problems with storing patients

records manually (paper based)

Only one person can access data at the same time

Records go missing

Handwritten notes messy And hard to understand

Storage problems:Huge number of filesneeded

Medical Databases (ERP)• Patients records now stored electronically

• Data can be accessed by more than one medical professional at the same time

• No need to transport files (speed of data access)

• Security

• Latest information can be accessed from patients bedside (example: results from blood tests)

Blood Bar Coding and Tracking

• Tracking of blood across is an essential service the NHS provide

• It is also essential that it is accurate

• Identify what data is held on the blood and why it is important that it is tracked correctly

Intranets and Extranets

Consultant

Surgeon

Nurse

Supplier

GP

Distributed Databases

Radiology

A+E

Pharmacy

Intensive Care

Plastics

Surgery

Patient data is stored on lots of separate databases

The user uses one database software application to access the

information and is likely to be unaware that the data is not

stored in one place

Laptopon the ward

Security

• Access Levels

• Data Encryption

• Passwords

• Audit Trails

Exam Question

• Discuss the reasons why databases were introduced for storing patient records and assess the impact they have had upon patient tracking and monitoring. [6]

Exam Question Answers

Sensors – Analogue to Digital

• Analogue Signals

• Digital Signal

Sensors Used In Hospitals

• What is measured using sensors in hospitals?

• Temperature• Blood Pressure• Pulse• Blood Sugar• ECG (Heart Rate)• Respiratory Rate

Advantages

•No “Human Error” – no missed readings

•More Accurate

•Real Time Monitoring

•Automatically Measure Trends

Scanning Devices

• MRI• Use Radio Waves to build up a picture of the inside of a

patient• Used for checking function of organs such as liver, kidney,

spleen, blood vessels and heart damage

• CAT• Similar x-ray, but multiple x-ray beams are sent out at

different angles to produce a more detailed scan• Used to pinpoint tumours

Scanning Devices

• Advantages• Can look at internal organs

in 3D• MRI scans are safer than X-

Rays• Higher cure rate due to

early detection• Reduces the need for

exploratory surgery• Faster Diagonosis

Disadvantages• scanning equipment

very expensive• Exposure to radiation is

dangerous for staff operating scanners

• Patients have to be still for about 1 hour in an MRI machine

Future Technologies

• Home Healthcare• Video conference using sensors so that consultation with doctor can

be done from home

• Diabetes management• Automatic blood glucose measurements are taken and if blood

glucose is too low a sensor automatically releases glucose from a reservoir implanted into patient

• Japanese Toilets• A Japanese company is developing a toilet that analyses urine and

sends a report automatically to the GP if necessary