ABC of computing. Computers in high dependency units.
1983; BMJ; Volume: 287; Issue: 6390 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1136/bmj.287.6390.472
ISSN0959-8138
AutoresA. J. Asbury, K Lush, C. I. Franks,
Tópico(s)Distributed and Parallel Computing Systems
ResumoBlood pressure I'Revew on day 20 Artefact -?*~Inotropic drug ?)lNew nurse".In many hospitals the most severely ill patients are cared for together in specialist areas-for example, in postsurgical, intensive care, and coronary care units-to simplify management and provide a high ratio of staff to patients.These patients usually need extensive monitoring and the necessary equipment generates a large volume of data.Computers are increasingly used in high dependency units to make these data available and useful to the staff, but unfortunately it is difficult to predict their best application.New methods need to be critically examined, and the views of the people who will have to use the system should be taken into account.It is perfectly possible to implement a computer system for the sake of doing so yet remain unaware that the real benefits may be small.The applications can be divided into off line, on line, and feedback control.Offline applications are simple computer systems where epidemiological information is collected to help in directing and refining management policies.The information is entered into the computer in batches, sometimes even when the patient has left the unit, and the results of the analysis form the basis of local mortality reports.This technique allows the high dependency unit to be managed on the basis of facts rather than opinions and is an excellent form of internal audit.One important feature of information from an high dependency unit is that it includes a wide range of different types of information, from that relating to states, such as being conscious or unconscious, to measurements such as blood pressures which are on a continuous scale.Off line applications
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