PHARMACY PRACTICE-III
USE OF COMPUTER IN MEDICAL FIELD
With the advancements in the field of computer and technology, it is not wrong to say that
medical field has become somewhat dependent on computer to carry out the most advanced
forms of diagnosis and treatment to patients. The computer technology is used in the following
aspects of medical, imaging systems, clinical labs, medical record storage and hospital
operations as well as in the business offices of health care providers. The application of the
computer in health care has helped doctors and researchers advance medical science while
expanding the level of care for patients.
Following is the brief description of computer technology assisting in some aspects of the
medical field.
MEDICAL IMAGING
Medical imaging covers technology used to create
images or virtual images of the human body for study
and diagnosis. It includes magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI), ultrasound, CT scans and X-Rays. The whole
procedure is assisted or carried out with the help of
computers. Even X-Ray imaging, which has been used
in medicine since the early 20th century, now uses
computers for image adjustment and transfer.
PATIENT
MONITORING
The use of proximity and other sensors in machines
helps in determining heart rate, respiratory activity,
blood pressure and other critical information that is
collected in digital form. The use of computer
technology in medical field has shortened the time gap
needed to carry out certain tests and it has enhanced
the precision and accuracy of the tests being carried
out depending upon the technician operating the
machine. In hospitals, they have the ability to
automatically update a patient's chart and notify hospital
staff of changes to a patient's vitals.
COMPUTERS AND HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION
Most hospitals depend heavily on computers and specialized software that handles patient
records, supply inventory, personnel scheduling and all the other details required to care for
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patients. The use of a computer in a hospital extends to every department, from the surgical
center to the cafeteria. Larger hospitals may have their own private computer servers and
network and a team of IT specialists who maintain them.
USE OF COMPUTERS IN PHARMACIES
Computer technology has also made its mark in Pharmaceutical field. Pharmaceutical IT helps
pharmacists research drug interactions, manage the supply chain and run the business. All of this
gives pharmacists more time to help customers and interact with them in a better way. The bar
codes on the bottles and the containers allow the pharmacies to record the drugs and the
compounds which they have on hand and the quantities of them, they help to confirm that the
right product has been delivered, stored, retrieved and dispensed to the customers.
DRUG DATA
Various applications or tools are being launched to help pharmacists. Apps such as Medscape,
the Pharmacist Letter and Epocrates provide details on drug effects and interactions. They are
updated more frequently than hard-copy drug advisories, sometimes every day. Some apps are
free, while others require a monthly subscription but offer more information. "Drug Topics"
magazine says none of the apps substitute for a pharmacist's expert judgment, but the added
information can help shape pharmacist decisions.
RECORDS AND FILES
It is common for pharmacies to store patient histories and prescriptions electronically to make it
easier to identify which prescriptions are ready for refills and which doctor to contact about
refills. This requires care to ensure that employees enter the information accurately. In Missouri,
for example, the state pharmacy board requires pharmacies to keep hard-copy records on file for
double-checking. A pharmacist has to verify the accuracy of each prescription in the electronic
records.
BUSINESS DETAILS
A pharmacy is a business, and computers help run the business operations efficiently. The
computerized checkout system can deliver reports on sales by the day, month and week. That
data help track which drugs are in greatest demand, when peak shopping hours are and how
efficiently staff handle requests. All of this makes it easier to analyze the pharmacy's financial
performance. Computers also make it easier to handle routine business tasks, such as recording,
tracking and paying vendor bills.
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INTERNET PHARMACIES AND THEIR WORKING
An online pharmacy is an internet-based vendor that sells medicines and includes both legitimate
and illegitimate pharmacies. It sends orders to customers through mail, shipping companies, or
online pharmacy web portal. As per an estimate, there are between 30,000 and 50,000 online
pharmacies operating in the USA.
Online pharmacies include:
Pharmacy benefits managers – Entities that administrate corporate prescription drug
plans.
Legitimate Internet pharmacies in the same country as the person ordering.
Legitimate Internet pharmacies in a different country than the person ordering. This type
of pharmacy is usually licensed by its home country and follows those regulations, not those
of the international orders.
Illegal or unethical internet pharmacies. The web page for an illegal pharmacy may
contain lies about its home country, procedures, or certifications. The "pharmacy" may send
outdated (expired shelf life) or counterfeit medications and may not follow standard
procedural safeguards.
WORKING
Conventional Pharmacies follow good distribution practices. Home delivery of pharmaceuticals
can be a desirable convenience, but sometimes it can lead to problems with uncontrolled
distribution.
The shipment of drugs through the mail and parcel post is sometimes a concern for temperature-
sensitive pharmaceuticals. Uncontrolled shipping conditions can include high and low
temperatures outside the listed storage conditions for a drug. For example, the US FDA found
the temperature in a mailbox in the sun could reach 136 °F (58 °C) while the ambient air
temperature was 101 °F (38 °C).
Shipment by express mail and couriers reduces transit time and often involves delivery to the
door, rather than a mailbox. The use of insulated shipping containers also helps control drug
temperatures, reducing risks to drug safety and efficacy.
USE OF INTERNET IN PHARMACIES
The third largest use of the internet had become the seeking of medical and pharmaceutical
advice by consumers. Internet has become a necessary evil in almost every aspect of life. It
covers a major portion of our daily tasks. The use of computer technology and internet has
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grown from 20% to 78% in 2002 (results from a survey conducted in 2002). Internet in a
pharmacy assists in following aspects.
CONVENIENCE IN PERFORMING WORK
With internet, it becomes easy to get the updated information about the drugs and medicines.
One can know about the pros and cons relating any particular drug and allegations imposed on
any drug by the Health and care department in Pakistan or any other country.
EFFICIENCY OF WORK
With internet, one can lookup nay medicine within the tap of a button on computer without the
stress of going through the particular sections to look for the medicine. In this way, the efficiency
of work is enhanced and he can perform more work with in less time. Moreover, he can use that
time to interact with the customers in a better way.
