Question

1) Describe three forms of technology patients use to manage their health, and three aspects of each that would be identified as a human-technology interface?

2) Outline the work-flow to use each of the three forms of technology listed above in at least 7 steps each.

Answer 1

In current health care setting growing technology makes patient care more safer and accurate. All the traditional paper work system has been changed to electronic health records. Health technology helps health care professionals to apply the knowledge and skills to utilize the technology advancements to incorporate in day to day practices. Communication between the patients and the provider improves by using the communication technology.

Human technology interface used by the patients in health care includes Electronic health care information system, Electronic thermometers, Telemedicine, Patient controlled analgesia, Electronic medical records.

Workflow to use Electronic health record:

- The patient consult the provider either as office visit or hospital visit.

- Patient management component includes the basic demographic variables and also creation of unique patient ID (Medical record number).

- Clinical documentation includes history collected by the doctors or nurse practitioner. Physical examination notes that includes comprehensive review of a;ll systems, consolation notes stating present reason for visit and the findings noted.

- Vital signs - temperature,pulse,respiration and blood pressure.

- Laboratory studies done and their billing and report details.

- Medication chart - name of the drug,dose,route,frequency.

- Follow up - Time of revisit.

Workflow to use Patient controlled analgesia:

- PCA refers to the usage of infusion pumps that encourage the patients to self administer the analgesic as per their need. When the patient experiences pain he can push pre loaded pain medication from the PCA pump.

- Data of the patient is screened from the electronic medical records. The PCA pump is connected to the patient.

- Patient presses the button when he feels the uncontrolled pain.

- The sensor feels the alarm and deliver preset intravenous pain medication.

- The overdose must be monitored by the nurses periodically.