COMPUTER

INTRODUCTION;A computer is widely used today in business and research. It applications are enormous. It helps to guide astronauts and space shuttles. It counsels students, controls betting at race Tracks, and is an ideal mate for cautious bachelors. It grades the University students, diagnosis Football strategy, play chess and war games. The efficiency of human beings as data processing organism is also being challenged by the computer. The computer can do a million calculations in a fraction of a second in almost every field of human activity; the computer can stretch its arms and make it perfect. A computer is the most important invention since the invention of printing machine. With all these developments, computerization is still in its infancy. What lies ahead may be beyond the reach of our imagination.

DEFINITIONS:Computer is a fast and accurate electronic data manipulating machine. A computer is a power driven machine equipped with key boards, electronic circuits, storage compartments and rewarding devices for the high speed performance of mathematical operations. A computer is an electronic device that accepts data, performs operations on that data sequence and outputs the results.

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT:Man invented a calculating machine around 2000 B.C, called the ABACUS. After that, there was a long gap. Then history starts with the 17 th century when a mathematician by the name of Pascal identified addition and subtraction, which are the roots for a computer. Leibniz formulated a modified formula with multiplication and division. He is called the Father of the binary system. Charles Babbage and Age Augustus worked together to form programme. But Charles died before the completion of a programme. Age formulated the First computer program with mathematical application.

CLASSIFICATION:1. Micro computers: Ex: Personal computers 2. Mini computers: Central processing unit will be bigger in size Ex: Organizations which has 200 to 500 employees 3. Main Frame: Costlier than mini computers. Can be used for multiple purposes. Ex: Computers in BHEL 4. Super computers: Comprises of a lot of main frame computers Ex: Computers used in space and Research Centre PARTS OF COMPUTER A computer consists of four basic parts: 1. Input output equipment 2. A memory store 3. A processing Unit 4. A Control Unit

INPUT DEVICES
It helps to feed the data to computer. information into the memory Unit of the computer. Various Input Devices are: 1. Key Board: Keyboards are the basic input devices through which data and programs are fed into the computer. All keyboards have numeric and alphabetic, symbols, edit, and control and function keys. A key board is very much like that of a standard typewriter. Some special key boards are available for playing music. They are used to Transfer the

2. Mouse: It is used to position the cursor on the screen. It is a small palm sized Box. It is manipulation on a flat structure moves the cursor in the same direction as the movement of the mouse. The box contains a ball underneath, which senses the movements and transmits it to the cursor over the screen. It is mainly used in workstations and desktop publishing. 3. Light pen. This is a pen like device connected by carpel to a display when pointed at the screen the computer revises the position of the point. It can be moved and repositioned as required it helps to draw pictures on the screen or make changes to an already dream picture or figure. 4. Graphic Table: A Graphics table is a computer-based terminal with additional features for creating, storing or printing pictures. One can create an image of a picture by simply moving a stylus on the picture. As the stylus moves, the picture is created and drawn on the screen for checking. 5. Joy stick: Early joysticks moved cursor in many directions. Moving a joystick increases or decreases the voltage level in a resistor. It helps in playing games using a computer. 6. Optical character Reader: They are input devices used to read any printed Text. They can interpret hand made marks and characters and special symbols and codes. OCRs scan the text optically, character by character and convert them into a machine readable code and store the text in the systems memory. They can read at a rate of 2400 characters per second. 7. Voice input This is another means of communications via the computer. It incorporates the wave from which is created, and analyses it. The only disadvantage in this is that before entering voice input, the computers has to be provided with a vocabulary. 3

OUTPUT DEVICE
Output device translate information back into understandable from. The dada fed into a computer are processed as per the instructions given to the computer and returned in the form of output. 1. Printers It is most commonly used output devices, the paper copy obtained from a printer is often referred to as the printout. The classification is dependent upon the why they organize the characters to be printed. i.e., character by character or line or the way print is produced or the way in which the character image is composed. (i) (ii) (iii) Line printer Serial printer Laser printer

2. Visual display unit :When the program is keyed in, the screen displays the characters .The uses can read the program line by line and make correction before it is stored or printed. The operator manually uses the cursor to pinpoint a particular position on the screen. Screen sizes differ from system to system .The standard is 24 lines by 80 characters. The cursor on the screen is controlled by the cursor keys on the keyboard. 3. Computer output microfilm :(com): When large amounts of data are to be printed and stored for future reference, conventional paper output will not be economical .Paper output requires storage space and it is difficult to search for a particular portion in such situations computer output microfilm is used, which consist of photographed images produced in miniature by the computer. 4. Audio Response unit Computer audio output or voice response units speak, by arranging half second records of voice sound of pre-recorded words.

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Plotters Plotters are used to produce output containing graphics or diagrams with the availability of multi-color plotters; they are increasingly used for preparing financial documents, annual reports and engineering drawings. 6. Memory store The memory store contains all the information, which has been fed into the computer through the input equipments. 7. Processing unit It operates and processes the information. It can add, subtract or multiply. It can also particular information out of a large amount of stored information in terms of scientific criteria. 8. Control unit This controls the actions of the processing units. 9. External Storage Devices The purpose of external storage devices is to retain data and programs for future use .A number of files containing information can be stored in this manner. 10. Floppy Disks It is a flexible disk coated with magnetic material and work like a photograph record. Information can be recorded or read by inserting it into disk drive connected to the computer. 11. Hard disks They are suitable for storing large volumes of information and popularly known as the Winchester disks. A hard disk consists of two or more magnetic plates fixed to a spindle one below the other with a set of read or write leads. These are permanently sealed inside a casing to protect it from dust.

Magnetic Tapes:They are inexpensive information is stored on the tape in the form of magnetized and non-magnetize spots arranged in tracks. Floppy device, Hard disk and magnetic tapes can be used as input devices, output devices and also external storage devices. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COMPUTER: A. speed: The computer work at incredible speed .They can handle a large quantity of data simultaneously for multiprocessing and give the desired output. They can handle millions of instructions in one second. B. Storage: The computer has an in-built memory where it can store a large amount of data of different sizes and shapes. Further information or copies of the data can be stored in floppy, disks, magnetic tapes, etc. and fed back into the computer. C: Accuracy -They have high percentage of accuracy weather it is an arithmetic calculation or a logical decision. D. Versatility: The computer is a versatile tool for doing a variety of jobs. It can handle numerical data, words, signals etc. E. Diligence: Being a machine, the computer does not suffer from fatigue, lethargy and lack of concentration. It can handle millions of operations with the same exactitude as it does its first operation. EXAMPLES OF EXTERNAL PROGRAMME: Word star Lotus Excel C+ C++ Power point Windows Java Oracle Visual Basic C-ash Unix Linux

ADVANTAGES OF COMPUTER 1) The Novelty of working with a computer rises the learner motivation. 2) Colour, Music and animation graphics can add realism and appeal to drilling exercises, laboratory activities, simulations. 3) High speed personalized responses to learner action yield a high rate of reinforcement ; 4) Memory capacity allows students past performance to be recorded and used in planning the subsequent steps; 5) The Programming of personalized instruction, graded in small steps, can present a more positive and effective climate especially for slow learners. 6) The Record keeping ability of the computer makes individualized instruction feasible, individual prescriptions can be prepared for all students and their progress can be monitered. 7) The Teachers span of controls enlarged, as more information is put easily at teacher disposal, helping to keep control close to. SCOPE OF COMPUTER USE 1) Access to experts and respected peers 2) One to one and one to many communications. 3) Active learner participation. 4) Linking of new learning to concrete on the job problems 5) Feed back and implementation support from peers or expert 6) Self direction control over stop or start time , pace and place or learning or communication activity Limitations of computer Inspite of the advantages and the promising prospects, computers do suffer from some disadvantages too. Some of the major limitations are:1. Despite the dramatic reduction in cost of computers and computer use, computerized instruction is still relatively expensive. Careful consideration must be given to the costs and benefits of computer in education maintenance can also be a problem especially if the equipment is subjected to heavy use. 2. The design and production of computers especially for instructional purposes has lagged being design and production for other purposes. 7

3. There is a lack of high quality direct instruction mater for use with computers, especially for the micro computers. There is also a compatibility problem often the software developed for one computer system cannot be used another. USES OF COMPUTERS: Computers in health care facilities: The uses of computers are many and varied and suit many of the needs created by such a large industry as health care. Computers are being used for financial systems, staff scheduling order entry/invoicing home care, inventory control, electronic spread sheet, Word processing, plant and equipment maintenance, fund development, purchase order control, pharmacy, position control and patient care, medical records etc. Computers in physician office: Physicians have terminals in their office and also in their homes, the letter connected to the office computer through modems. They can instantaneously view all information on charts, of 2000 or more patients. The system has two files on each patient. The patient in which lists demographic information, such as address and age, and the patient record, which contains the medications, diagnosis, diagnostic test results patient physical Findings prior surgical procedures. This information is very important when a phone call is received from patient needing help in the middle of the night. Radiological Applications: Radiologists use computers that are connected to other computers by telephone lines to help diagnose illness. The radiologist is connected to a portable slow scan system that ties a camera and a computer at the hospitals radiology lab to television set, portable computer, and the modem in their homes. So the radiologists can read the findings from their home itself.

Physician Data Query: It is important that the physician has to keep up to date on the latest information in their specialty. There is a computer data Bank called physician data Query [PDQ]. Ex: cancer treatment The information is updated monthly by the National cancer institute of the National institute of Health. DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND DATABASES: Dermatologists can use a computer program called SKIN LESION to diagnose many different types of skin disorders. Drug intake management and Evaluation system [DIMES] is a computer based decision support system that helps health care professionals provide a high Quality of pharmacotherapy while minimizing the cost of the care. MULTISPECIALITY CLINICS: This clinic uses a micro computer distribution system linked via a dedicated telephone line to the vendors main frame computer. There is a system schedules appointment for more than 90,000 patients a year with more than 29 physicians. The system is programmed to do billing, insurance, Qualification, and collection of medical history. COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING: The Indian health services also use computers, specifically an online patient care information system [PCIS], that contains all health care data for residents. II. Confidentiality and privacy: 1. Individual passwords and sign-on identification is essential. 2. Access to terminals should be controlled.

III. Hospital information system: There are three approaches to systems development. 1. centralized system: Complete integration of departments. It has a mainframe computer that has a large mercury capacity for storage of patient information for a long period of time. Online or real-time system capability exists with a Rapid response time for all transactions. 2. Decentralized system: Interdepartmental integration is possible. It can be any combination of centralized and individual department systems. One variation is a decentralized system uses a mainframe computer with some of the large departments. Another variation has the larger departments operating on a mini computer and the smaller ones using microcomputers. 3. Individual department system:No integration of deportments. Mini- computer operate independently in each department. The systems can have disk or tape storage and entry rather than online. Use of computer in administration 1. Budgeting and monitoring of finances 2. Keeping students record 3. Maintaining statistics 4. Student billing 5. Preparation of payroll, bills 6. Monitoring materials production register

In education system: 1. Teaching and instruction purpose 2. curriculum development 3. educational administration and management 4. Research work. 5. Educational documentation 6. Educational planning 10

7. Educational guidance and counseling purpose 8. Examination purpose for preparing resulting. 9. A.V.aids purpose 10. To maintain students Health Record 11. computing the data Use of computer for nurses in Hospital: 1. To maintain the nursing Records of patient 2. To Record Admission of the patient. 3. To Record discharge of the patient. 4. To maintain Intake and output of patient. 5. Keeping inventory Records. 6. To keep the data such as laboratory finding, medication. 7. Storage of patient information for a long period of time. 8. To maintain the Dietary plan of patient. 9. To Evaluation of patient problem. 10. Easy for job Rotation. 11. To Records of all data for future References. 12. Facilitate continuity of care of patient 13. Drug profile. Use of computer in staffing: 1. Administration of staff. 2. To keep staff health record. 3. To make duty rotation plan 4. To keep the data related to patient. 5. To keep the staff budgeting record. 6. On line communication with the other staff and clients. 7. Scheduling staff. Use of computer in research: 1. collecting data and current information 2. Computing the data. 3. Maintaining statistics. 4. To make the project. 11

5. Arrange the data 6. Time saving Computer assisted learning in the field of nursing education: The brighter, newer, changing paces of nursing education need to have the rapid involvement of Technological change according to the newer Trends in the field of education. Nursing students of this millennium need to posses critical thinking, divergent thinking, self analyzing, self initiated learning. CAL enhances definite learning with self interest. But the utilization of CAL is rare in the field of nursing education. CAL covers the various ways in which the computers are used for learning Thus Drill and practice Tutorial Simulation Word processing Desktop publishing Art packages Programmed instruction The main attraction of CAL is the direct interaction between the software and the user. Thus it is an active rather than passive resource. Drill practice: The program requires learners to perform specified tasks and give a feedback on their performance. These programs, by focusing on the learners recall of particular segments and sequencing of knowledge, are of most value where accurate content is important. Tutorial:The tutorial program extends drill and practice by providing information or demonstration to learners and then requiring them to perform some input. It also provides feedback on the input. For Ex- to teach a particular nursing procedure. The programme shows an animation of the procedure performed asks learners the

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sequence required, analyzes the learners input and tells them if they have got it right or what kind of mistake they are making. Simulation: This program simulates an environment simulation focuses on exploration and discovery learning. Simulation encourages learning inquiry and decision making. Role playing simulations may encourages learners interest in underlying problems through this indirect exposure to the model for example: In the simulation of an infection control committee, a group of learners may adopt different roles in the model and can make decisions about actions to be taken. Word processing: Word processing consists of two parts. 1. The program, which contains variety of routines that enable data to be manipulated and displayed. 2. The data files, which are used to store the data. Word processing can be utilized in the field of nursing research, documenting information, filing etc. Programmed instructions: Programmed instruction can be described as a different way of presenting materials to be learnt. Under this, the students actively follow step by step at his/her own pace of learning. There are 2 type of programming. 1. linear programming: In this programming the students have to participate actively by making a response. They must fill in the blank, answer a question, solve a problem; the program checks the response by giving the response by giving the correct answer. 2. Intrinsic programming: It present new ideals through a short discussion of material to be learnt followed by multiple choice questions designed to test the points just discussed. Beneficial effect of CAL: Developing skills in Problem solving Observation of data Collection and classification of data 13

 Analysis and interpretation of data Appropriate representation of data Encouraging: Creative work Collection of field work data. Using data from a wider source. Individual attainment amongst those with special needs. SUMMARY: So far we have discuss about the computer, Definition, Historical development, classification, parts, Characteristics, Advantage, Scope and limitations of computer and also uses of computer in various health care facilities, computers and nurses role.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY Books reference: 1. Subbmmal.K. (2003), INSTRUMENTAL AIDS FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING OF NURSING, omayalachi college of nursing, Chennai. Page no 90-99 2. Sharma R.A.(2001), EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY R.lall book depot, Meerut. Page no 314-320 3. Aggarwal J.C.(1996), PRINCIPLES, METHODS AND TECHNIQUES OF TEACHING 2nd revised edition vikas publishing house (p) Ltd, New Delhi. Page no 363-365 4. Basavnthappa B.T.(2003), NURSING EDUCATION 1st edition jaypee brothers medical publishers (p) Ltd. New Delhi. Page no. 459-461 JOURNAL REFERENCE 1. prof: Ramachandra s.hooli, COMPUTER IN NURSING, THE NURSING JOURNAL OF INDIA (Feb 2003) vol.Lxxxxiv, No.2 page no 26-28. 1st edition

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