Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Technology

300 medical applications of computersClinical Information ManagementThe modern hospital generates extensive real-time dataabout the condition of patients, particularly those in criticalor intensive care or undergoing surgery. Many hospitalshave bedside or operating room terminals where physiciansor nurses can review summaries of data such as vital statistics(blood pressure, heart function, and so on). Data canalso be entered or reviewed using handheld computers (seeportable computers). The ultimate goal of such systemsis to provide as much useful information as possible withoutoverwhelming medical personnel with data entry andrelated tasks that might detract from patient care.In 2001, a new group, the Patient Safety Institute, wasformed in an attempt to create a nationwide standardizedformat for electronic patient records. This would make itpossible for emergency personnel to download a patient’srecord into a handheld computer and access potentially lifesavinginformation such as medications and allergies.There has also been some progress in medical decisionsupport systems. Going beyond data summarization, suchsystems can analyze changes or trends in medical dataand highlight those of clinical significance. Such systemscan also aid in the compilation of medical charts or possiblycompile portions of the chart automatically for laterreview.Diagnostic and Treatment SystemsThe diagnosis and treatment of many conditions has beenprofoundly enhanced by the use of computer-assisted medicalinstruments. At the beginning of the last century theuse of X-rays revolutionized the imaging of the anatomyof living things. X-rays, however, were limited in detailand depth of imaging. Techniques of tomography, involvingsynchronized movement of the X-ray tube and film, werethen developed to create a sharp focus deeper within thetarget structure. The development of computerized tomography(CT or CAT) scanning in the 1970s used a differentand more effective approach: A beam of X rays is sweptthrough the target area while computerized radiation detectorsprecisely calculate the absorption of radiation, and thusthe density of the tissue or other structure at each point.This results in a highly detailed image that can be viewedas a series of layers or combined into a three-dimensionalholographic display.Another widely used imaging technique is positronemission tomography (PET) scanning, which tracks theradiation emission from a short-lived radioisotope injectedinto the patient. It is particularly helpful for studying theflow of blood or gas and other physiological or metabolicchanges. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses theabsorption and re-emission of radio waves in a strong magneticfield to identify the characteristic signature of thehydrogen nucleus (i.e. a proton) in water within the body,and thus delineate the surrounding structures.Besides controlling the scanning process (especially inCAT scanning), the computer is essential for the creationand manipulation of the resulting images. A typical imageprocessing (IP) system is actually an array of many individualprocessors that perform calculations and comparisonson parts of the image to enhance contrast and extract informationthat can lead to a more precise depiction of the areaof interest. The resulting images (consisting of an array ofpixels and associated information) can be further enhancedin a variety of ways using video processing software. Othersoftware using pattern recognition techniques can be programmedto look for tumors or other anomalous structures(see image processing).TrendsMedical informatics is likely to be a strong growth areain coming decades. As the population ages, demand formedical care will increase. At the same time, there will begrowing pressure to control costs. Although technology isexpensive, there is a general belief that information canbe leveraged to provide more cost-effective treatment andmanagement of health care delivery.Medical systems are likely to become more integrated.There have been proposals to create permanent, extensiveelectronic medical records that patients might even “wear” inthe form of a small implanted chip. However, concern aboutthe consequences of violation of privacy and misuse of medicalinformation (such as by employers or insurers) raises significantchallenges (see also privacy in the digital age).There are many exciting possibilities for computerassistedmedical treatment. It may eventually be possible toprovide all the detail of a CAT scan or MRI while a medicalprocedure is being performed. At any rate, surgeons willbe able to see ever more clearly what they are doing, androbot-controlled surgical instruments (such as lasers) arealready operating with a precision that cannot be matchedby human hands. Such instrumentation also allows for thepossibility that skilled surgeons might be able to operatethrough telepresence, bringing lifesaving surgery to remoteareas (see telepresence).Information technology (and the World Wide Web inparticular) is also giving patients more data and choicesThis NASA project is developing a “smart” probe that could provideinstant analysis of breast tumors to guide surgeons in their work.Such instruments could make surgery more accurate and effective,as well as reducing unnecessary operations. (NASA photo)