Mindanao State University Sulu

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Nursing
NURSING INFORMATICS
Basic Personal Computer System
A computer system consists of hardware
and software components.
Hardware is the physical equipment such
as the case, storage drives, keyboards,
monitors, cables, speakers, and printers.
Software is the operating
system and programs.
The operating system
instructs the computer how
to operate.
Programs or applications
perform different functions.
Computer Cases and Power Supplies
Computer case
Provides protection and support for
internal components
Should be durable, easy to service, and
have enough room for expansion
Power supply
Converts AC power from the
wall socket into DC
Must provide enough power
for the installed components
and future additions
Computer Cases
Contain the framework to support and
enclose internal components of the
computer
Typically made of plastic, steel, and
aluminum
Available in a variety of styles
The size and layout of a case is called a
form factor
Designed to keep internal components
cool
Helps to prevent damage from static
electricity
Power Supplies
The power supply converts alternatingcurrent (AC) power coming from a wall
outlet into direct-current (DC) power,
which is a lower voltage.
DC power is required for all of the
components inside the computer.
Cables, connectors, and
components are designed
to fit together snugly.
Never force any connector
or component.
Four Basic Units of Electricity
Voltage (V) is a measure of the force
required to push electrons through a
circuit. Voltage is measured in volts. A
computer power supply usually produces
several different voltages.
Current (I) is a measure of the amount of
electrons going through a circuit. Current
is measured in amperes, or amps (A).
Computer power supplies deliver different
amperages for each output voltage.
Power (P) is voltage multiplied by
current. The measurement is called watts
(W). Computer power supplies are rated
in watts.

Resistance (R) is the opposition to the

flow of current in a circuit. Resistance is
measured in ohms. Lower resistance
allows more current to flow through a
circuit.
CAUTION: Do not open a power supply.
Electronic capacitors located inside of a
power supply can hold a charge for
extended periods of time.
Internal Components
Motherboards
The main printed circuit board.
Contains the buses, or electrical
pathways found in a computer.
Buses allow data to travel
among the various components.
Also known as the system board,
the backplane, or the main board.
Accommodates CPU, RAM, expansion
slots, heat sink/fan assembly, BIOS chip,
chip set, sockets, internal and external
connectors, various ports, and the
embedded wires that interconnect the
motherboard components.
Motherboard Form Factors
The form factor of motherboards pertains
to the size and shape of the board.
It also describes the physical layout of the
different components and devices on the
motherboard.
Various form factors exist for
motherboards.
AT Advanced Technology
ATX Advanced Technology Extended
Mini-ATX Smaller footprint of ATX
Micro-ATX Smaller footprint of ATX
LPX Low-profile Extended
NLX New Low-profile Extended
BTX Balanced Technology Extended
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Known as the brain of the computer. Also
referred to as the processor.
Most important element of a computer
system. Executes a program, which is a
sequence of stored instructions.
Two major CPU architectures related to
instruction sets:
Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC)
Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC)
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
To an operating system, a single CPU with
hyperthreading appears to be two CPUs.
The wider the processor data bus width,
the more powerful the processor. Current
processors have a 32-bit or a 64-bit
processor data bus.
Overclocking is a technique used to
make a processor work at a faster speed
than its original specification.
MMX enabled microprocessors can handle
many common multimedia operations that
are normally handled by a separate sound
or video card.
The latest processor technology has
resulted in CPU manufacturers finding
ways to incorporate more than one CPU
core onto a single chip.
Single core CPU and Dual core CPU

Cooling Systems
Electronic components generate heat. Too
much heat can damage components.
A case fan makes the cooling process
more efficient.

A heat sink draws heat away from the

core of the CPU. A fan on top of the heat
sink moves the heat away from the CPU.
Fans are dedicated to cool the Graphicsprocessing unit (GPU).

Read-only Memory (ROM)

Basic instructions for booting the
computer and loading the operating
system are stored in ROM.
Random-access Memory (RAM)
Temporary storage for data and programs
that are being accessed by the CPU
Volatile memory, which means that the
contents are erased when the computer is
powered off
More RAM means more capacity to hold
and process large programs and files, as
well as enhance system performance.
Types of RAM:
Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM)
Static Random Access Memory (SRAM)
Fast Page Mode DRAM (FPM Memory)
Extended Data Out RAM (EDO Memory)
Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM)
Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM)
Double Data Rate 2 SDRAM (DDR2
SDRAM)
RAMBus DRAM (RDRAM)
Adapter Cards
Increase the functionality of a computer by
adding controllers for specific devices or by
replacing malfunctioning ports.
Examples of adapter cards:
Sound adapter and video adapter
USB, parallel, and serial ports
RAID adapter and SCSI adapter
Network Interface Card (NIC),
wireless NIC, and modem adapter
Types of expansion slots:
Industry Standard Architecture (ISA)
Extended Industry Standard
Architecture (EISA)
Microchannel Architecture (MCA)
Peripheral Component Interconnect
(PCI)
Advanced Graphics Port (AGP)
PCI-Express
Hard Drives and Floppy Drives
Reads or writes information to magnetic or
optical storage media
May be fixed or removable
The hard disk drive (HDD) is a
magnetic storage device installed
inside the computer. The storage
capacity is measured in gigabytes (GB).
A floppy disk drive (FDD) is storage
device that uses removable 3.5 inch
floppy disks that can store 1.44 MB of
data.
Optical Drives and Flash Drives
An optical drive is a storage device that
uses lasers to read data on the optical
media. The two types are CD and DVD.
A flash drive is a removable storage
device that connects to a USB port. A flash
drive uses a type
of memory that requires no power to
maintain the
data.
Some common drive interfaces:
Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE)

Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics

(EIDE)
Parallel ATA (PATA)
Serial ATA (SATA)
Small Computer System Interface
(SCSI)
Internal Cables
Data cables connect drives to the drive controller,
which is located on an adapter card or on the
motherboard.
Floppy disk drive (FDD) data cable
PATA (IDE) data cable
PATA (EIDE) data cable
SATA data cable
SCSI data cable
USB Ports and Cables
USB is a standard interface for
connecting peripheral devices to
a computer.
USB devices are hot-swappable.
USB ports are found on computers,
cameras, printers, scanners,
storage devices, and many other
electronic devices.
A single USB port in a computer can
support up to 127 separate devices with
the use of multiple USB hubs.
Some devices can also be powered
through the USB port, eliminating the
need for an external power source.
FireWire Ports and Cables
FireWire is a high-speed,
hot-swappable interface.
A single FireWire port in a computer
can support up to 63 devices.
Some devices can also be powered
through the FireWire port, eliminating the
need for an external power source.
The IEEE 1394a standard supports data
rates up to 400 Mbps and cable lengths up
to 15 feet (4.5 m). This standard uses a 6pin connector or a 4-pin connector.
The IEEE 1394b standard supports data
rates in excess of 800 Mbps and uses a 9pin connector.
Network Ports and Cables
A network port, also known as an RJ-45
port, connects a computer to a network.
Standard Ethernet can transmit up to 10
Mbps.
Fast Ethernet can transmit up to 100
Mbps.
Gigabit Ethernet can transmit up to 1000
Mbps.
The maximum length of network cable is
328 feet (100 m).
PS/2 Ports and Audio Ports
A PS/2 port connects a keyboard or a
mouse to a computer.
The PS/2 port is a 6-pin mini-DIN female
connector.
Line In connects to an external source
Microphone In connects to a microphone
Line Out connects to speakers or
headphones
Gameport/MIDI connects
to a joystick or
MIDI-interfaced device
Video Ports
Input Devices
Input devices used to enter data or
instructions into a computer:
Mouse and Keyboard

Digital camera and digital video

camera
Biometric authentication device
Touch screen
Scanner
Monitors and Projectors
The most important difference between these
monitor types is the technology used to create an
image:
Cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitor is the
most common monitor type. Most
televisions also use this technology.
Liquid crystal display (LCD) is commonly
used in laptops and some projectors. LCD
comes in two forms, active matrix and
passive matrix.
Digital light processing (DLP) is another
technology used in projectors.
Other Output Devices
Printers, Scanners, and Fax Machines
- Printers are output devices that create
hard copies of computer files. Other all-inone type printers are designed to provide
multiple services such as printing, fax, and
copier functions.
Speakers and headphones are output
devices for audio signals.

Safe Lab Procedures and Tool Use

The workplace should have safety guidelines to
follow to:
Protect people from injury
Protect equipment from damage
Protect the environment from
contamination
Recognize Safe Working Conditions
Some things to look for:
Clean, organized, and properly lit
workspace
Proper procedures for handling equipment
Proper disposal or
recycling of components
containing hazardous
materials
General Safety Guidelines
Most companies require reporting any
injuries, including description of safety
procedures not followed.
Damage to equipment may result in
claims for damages from the customer.
CAUTION: Power supplies and
monitors contain very high voltage.
Do not wear the antistatic wrist strap
when repairing power supplies or
monitors.
CAUTION: Some printer parts may
become very hot when in use and other
parts may contain very high voltages.
Fire Safety Guidelines
Know the location of fire extinguishers,
how to use them, and which to use for
electrical fires and for combustible fires
Have an escape route in case
a fire gets out of control
Know how to contact
emergency services quickly
Keep the workspace clean
Keep most solvents in a
separate area
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

Static electricity is the buildup of an

electric charge resting on a surface. This
buildup may zap a component and cause
damage.
At least 3,000 volts of static electricity
must build up before a person can feel
ESD, but less than 30 volts of static
electricity can damage a computer
component.
Preventing ESD Damage
Use antistatic bags to store components
Use grounded mats on workbenches
Use grounded floor mats in work areas
Use antistatic wrist straps when working
on computers
Power Fluctuation
AC power fluctuations can cause data loss or
hardware failure:
Blackouts, brownouts, noise, spikes, power
surges
To help shield against power fluctuation issues,
use power protection devices to protect the data
and computer equipment:
Surge suppressors
UPS
SPS
CAUTION: Never plug a printer into a UPS
device. UPS manufacturers suggest not plugging
a printer into a UPS for fear of burning up the
printer motor.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
The name of the material
The physical properties of the material
Any hazardous ingredients contained in
the material
Reactivity data, such as fire and explosion
data
Special protection requirements
Procedures for spills
or leaks
Special precautions
Health hazards
Tools for the Job
Skilled use of tools and software makes the job
less difficult and ensures that tasks are
performed properly and safely.
ESD Tools
antistatic wrist strap, mat
Hand Tools
screwdrivers, needle-nose pliers
Cleaning Tools
soft cloth, compressed air can
Diagnostic Tools
digital multimeter, loopback
adapter
Software Tools
Disk management tools
Fdisk - create and delete disk partitions
Format - prepare a hard drive prior to use
Scandisk or Chkdsk - check for physical
errors on the disk surface
Defrag - optimize use of space on a disk
Disk Cleanup - remove unused files
Disk Management - creates partitions
and formats disks (GUI interface)
System File Checker (SFC) scans the
operating system critical files and replaces
any files that are corrupt
Organizational Tools
Personal reference tools
Notes, journal, history of repairs
Internet reference tools

Search engines, news groups,

manufacturer FAQs, online computer manuals,
online forums and chats, technical websites
Miscellaneous tools
Spare parts, a working laptop
Proper Use of Hand Tools
Use the proper type and size of
screwdriver by matching it to the screw.
Phillips, Flat Head and Hex are the most
common types.
Do not over tighten screws because the
threads
may become stripped.
Caution: If excessive force is needed to
remove or add a component, something
may be wrong.
Caution: Magnetized tools should not be
used around electronic devices.
Caution: Pencils should not be used
inside the computer because the pencil
lead can act as a conductor and may
damage the computer components.
Proper Use of Cleaning Materials
To clean computers and accessories:
Use mild cleaning solution and lint-free
cloth to clean computer cases, outside of
monitor, LCD screen, CRT screen, and
mouse.
Use compressed air to clean heat sinks.
Use Isopropyl alcohol and lint-free swabs
to clean RAM.
Use hand-held vacuum cleaner
with a brush attachment to clean
a keyboard.
CAUTION: Before cleaning any
device, turn it off and unplug the
device from the power source.

Computer Assembly
Open the Case
Prepare the workspace before opening the
computer case:
Adequate lighting
Good ventilation
Comfortable room temperature
Workbench accessible from all sides
Avoid cluttering workbench
An antistatic mat on the table
Small containers to hold screws and
other small parts
There are different methods for opening
cases. To learn how, consult the user
manual or manufacturer's website.
Install the Power Supply
Power supply installation steps include the
following:
1. Insert the power supply into the case
2. Align the holes in the power supply with
the holes in the case
3. Secure the power supply to the case using
the proper screws
Attach Components to the Motherboard
As part of an upgrade or repair, a
technician may need to attach
components to the motherboard, and then
install the motherboard.
CPU on Motherboard

The CPU and motherboard are sensitive

to electrostatic discharge so use a
grounded antistatic mat and wear an
antistatic wrist strap. CAUTION: When
handling a CPU, do not touch the CPU
contacts.
The CPU is secured to the socket on the
motherboard with a locking assembly.

Thermal Compound
Thermal compound helps to keep the
CPU cool.
To install a used CPU, clean it and the base
of the heat sink with isopropyl alcohol to
remove the old thermal compound.
Follow manufacturers recommendations
about applying the thermal compound.
Heat Sink/Fan Assembly
The Heat Sink/Fan Assembly is a twopart cooling device.
The heat sink draws heat away from the
CPU.
The fan moves the heat away from the
heat sink.
The heat sink/fan assembly usually has a
3-pin power connector.

Install CPU and Heat Sink/Fan Assembly

1. Align the CPU so that the Connection 1
indicator is lined up with Pin 1 on the CPU
socket.
2. Place the CPU gently into the socket.
3. Close the CPU load plate and secure it by
closing the load lever and moving it under
the load lever retention tab.
4. Apply a small amount of thermal
compound to the CPU and spread it
evenly. Follow the application instructions
provided by the manufacturer.
5. Line up the heat sink/fan assembly
retainers to the holes on the motherboard.
6. Place the heat sink/fan assembly onto the
CPU socket, being careful not to pinch the
CPU fan wires.
7. Tighten the heat sink/fan assembly
retainers to secure the assembly in place.
8. Connect the heat sink/fan assembly power
cable to the header on the motherboard.
Install RAM
RAM provides temporary data storage for
the CPU while the computer is operating.
RAM should be installed in the
motherboard before the motherboard is
placed in the computer case.
RAM installation steps:
1. Align the notches on the RAM
module to the keys in the slot and
press down until the side tabs click
into place.
2. Make sure that the side tabs have
locked the RAM module and
visually check for exposed
contacts.
The Motherboard
The motherboard is now ready to install in
the computer case.
Plastic and metal standoffs are used to
mount the motherboard and to prevent it
from touching the metal portions of the
case.

Install only the standoffs that align with

the holes in the motherboard.
Installing any additional standoffs may
prevent the motherboard from being
seated properly in the computer case.

Install Motherboard
1. Install standoffs in the computer case.
2. Align the I/O connectors on the back of the
motherboard with the openings in the
back of the case.
3. Align the screw holes of the motherboard
with the standoffs.
4. Insert all of the motherboard screws.
5. Tighten all of the motherboard screws.
Install Internal Drives
Drives that are installed in internal bays are
called internal drives.
A hard disk drive (HDD) is an example of an
internal drive.
HDD installation steps:
1. Position the HDD so that it aligns
with the 3.5-inch drive bay.
2. Insert the HDD into the drive bay
so that the screw holes in the drive
line up with the screw holes in the
case.
3. Secure the HDD to the case using
the proper screws.
Install Drives in External Bays
Drives, such as optical drives (CD and
DVD) and floppy drives, are installed in
drive bays that are accessed from the
front of the case.
Optical drives and floppy drives store data
on removable media.
Drives in external bays allow access to
the media without opening the case.
Install Optical Drive
An optical drive is a storage device that
reads and writes information to CDs or
DVDs.
Optical drive installation steps:
1. Position the optical drive to align
with the 5.25 inch drive bay.
2. Insert the optical drive into the
drive bay so that the optical drive
screw holes align with the screw
holes in the case.
3. Secure the optical drive to the case
using the proper screws.
Install Floppy Drive
A floppy disk drive (FDD) is a storage
device that reads and writes information
to a floppy disk.
FDD installation steps:
1. Position the FDD so that it aligns
with the 3.5 inch drive bay.
2. Insert the FDD into the drive bay so
that the FDD screw holes align with
the screw holes in the case.
3. Secure the FDD to the case using
the proper screws.
Install the Network Interface Card (NIC)
A NIC enables a computer to connect to a
network.
NICs use PCI and PCIe expansion slots on
the motherboard.
NIC installation steps:

Align the NIC to the appropriate

slot on the motherboard.
Press down gently on the NIC until
the card is seated.
Secure the NIC PC mounting
bracket to the case with the
appropriate screw.

Install the Wireless NIC

A wireless NIC enables a computer to
connect to a wireless network.
Some wireless NICs are installed externally
with a USB connector.
Wireless NIC installation steps:
1. Align the wireless NIC to the
appropriate expansion slot on the
motherboard.
2. Press down gently on the wireless
NIC until the card is fully seated.
3. Secure the mounting bracket to the
case with the appropriate screw.
Install the Video Adapter Card
A video adapter card is the interface
between a computer and a display
monitor.
An upgraded video adapter card can
provide better graphic capabilities for
games and graphic programs.
Video adapter card installation steps:
1. Align the video adapter card to the
appropriate expansion slot on the
motherboard.
2. Press down gently on the video
adapter card until the card is fully
seated.
3. Secure the video adapter card PC
mounting bracket to the case with
the appropriate screw.
Connect Internal Cables
Power cables are used to distribute
electricity from the power supply to the
motherboard and other components.
Data cables transmit data between the
motherboard and storage devices, such as
hard drives.
Additional cables connect the buttons and
link lights on the front of the computer
case to the otherboard.
Connect Power Cables
Motherboard Power Connections
The Advanced Technology Extended (ATX)
main power connector has either 20 or 24
pins.
The power supply may also have a 4-pin
or 6-pin Auxiliary (AUX) power connector
that connects to the motherboard.
A 20-pin connector will work in a
motherboard with a 24-pin socket.
Connect Power Cables
SATA Power Connectors use a 15-pin
connector to connect to hard disk drives,
optical drives, or any devices that have a
SATA power socket.
Molex Power Connectors are used by hard
disk drives and optical drives that do not
have SATA power sockets.
CAUTION: Do not use a Molex connector
and a SATA power connector on the same
drive at the same time.

4-pin Berg Power Connector supplies

power to a floppy drive.

Power Connector Installation Steps

1. Plug the SATA power connector into the
HDD.
2. Plug the Molex power connector into the
optical drive.
3. Plug the 4-pin Berg power connector into
the FDD.
4. Connect the 3-pin fan power connector
into the appropriate fan header on the
motherboard, according to the
motherboard manual.
5. Plug the additional cables from the case
into the appropriate connectors according
to the motherboard manual.
PATA Cables
Drives connect to the motherboard using
data cables.
Types of data cables are PATA, SATA, and floppy
disk.
The PATA cable (sometimes called a
ribbon cable) is wide and flat and can
have either 40 or 80 conductors.
A PATA cable usually has three 40-pin connectors.
If multiple hard drives are installed, the master
drive will connect to the end connector. The
slave drive will connect to the middle connector.
Many motherboards have two PATA cable
sockets, which provides support for a
maximum of four PATA drives.
SATA Cables
The SATA data cable has a 7-pin
connector.
One end of the cable is connected to the
motherboard.
The other end is connected to any drive that has
a SATA data connector.
Floppy Drive Cables
The floppy drive data cable has a 34-pin
connector and it has a stripe to denote the
location of pin 1.
One connector at the end of the cable connects
to the motherboard. The other two connectors
connect to drives.
If multiple floppy drives are installed, the A: drive
will connect to the end connector. The B: drive
will connect to the middle connector.
Motherboards have one floppy drive
controller which provides support for a
maximum of two floppy drives.
Install Data Cables
1. Plug the motherboard end of the PATA
cable into the motherboard socket.
2. Plug the connector at the far end of the
PATA cable into the optical drive.
3. Plug one end of the SATA cable into the
motherboard socket.
4. Plug the other end of the SATA cable into
the HDD.
5. Plug the motherboard end of the FDD
cable into the motherboard socket.
6. Plug the connector at the far end of the
FDD cable into the floppy drive.
Re-attach Panels, Connect External Cables
Now that all the internal components have
been installed and connected to the
motherboard and power supply, the side

panels are re-attached to the computer

case.
The next step is to connect the cables for
all computer peripherals and the power
cable.
Re-attach Side Panels
Most computer cases have two panels, one on
each side.
Once the cover is in place, make sure that it is
secured at all screw locations.
Refer to the documentation or manufacturers
website if you are unsure about how to remove or
replace your computer case.
CAUTION: Handle case parts with care.
Some computer case
covers have sharp or jagged edges.
Connect External Cables
After the case panels have been reattached, connect the external cables to
the back of the computer.
External cable connections include:
Monitor
USB
Keyboard
Power
Mouse
Ethernet
CAUTION: When attaching cables, never
force a connection.
NOTE: Plug in the power cable after you
have connected all other cables.
Connect External Cables
1. Attach the monitor cable to the video port.
2. Secure the cable by tightening the screws
on the connector.
3. Plug the keyboard cable into the PS/2
keyboard port.
4. Plug the mouse cable into the PS/2 mouse
port.
5. Plug the USB cable into a USB port.
6. Plug the network cable into the network
port.
7. Connect the wireless antenna to the
antenna connector.
8. Plug the power cable into the power
supply.
Boot Computer for the First Time
The BIOS is a set of instructions stored in a
nonvolatile memory chip.
When the computer is booted, the basic
input/output system (BIOS) will perform a
power-on self test (POST) to check on all
of the internal components.
A special key or combination of keys on
the keyboard is used to enter the BIOS
setup program.
The BIOS setup program displays
information about all of the components in
the computer.
Identify Beep Codes
POST checks to see that all of the
hardware in the computer is operating
correctly.
If a device is malfunctioning, an error or a
beep code alerts the technician that there
is a problem.
Typically, a single beep denotes that the
computer is functioning properly.
If there is a hardware problem, the
computer may emit a series of beeps.

Each BIOS manufacturer uses different

codes to indicate hardware problems.
Consult the motherboard documentation
to view beep codes for your computer.

Operating System
The Purpose of an Operating System
The operating system (OS) controls almost all
functions on a computer.
Roles of an Operating System
All computers rely on an operating system
(OS) to provide the interface for
interaction between users, applications,
and hardware.
The operating system boots the computer
and manages the file system.
Almost all modern operating systems can
support more than one user, task, or CPU.
The operating system has four main roles:
Control hardware access
Manage files and folders
Provide user interface
Manage applications
Characteristics of Operating Systems
Control hardware access
OS automatically discovers and configures
PnP hardware
File and folder management
User interface
Command line interface (CLI)
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Application management
Open Graphics Library (OpenGL)
DirectX
The Types of Operating Systems
Command Line Interface (CLI): The user
types commands at a prompt.
Graphical User Interface (GUI): The user
interacts with menus and icons.
Most operating systems include both a GUI
and a CLI.
Compare Operating Systems
Terms often used when comparing operating
systems:
Multi-user Two or more users can work
with programs and share peripheral
devices, such as printers, at the same
time.
Multi-tasking The computer is capable
of operating multiple applications at the
same time.
Multi-processing The computer can
have two or more central processing units
(CPUs) that programs share.
Multi-threading A program can be
broken into smaller parts that can be
loaded as needed by the operating
system. Multi-threading allows individual
programs to be multi-tasked.

Compare Operating Systems

Desktop Operating System
Supports a single user
Runs single-user applications
Shares files and folders
Shares peripherals
Used on a small network
Network Operating System
Supports multiple users
Runs multi-user applications
Is robust and redundant

Provides increased security

Used on a network

Desktop operating systems:

Microsoft Windows: Windows XP
Macintosh: Mac OS X
Linux: Fedora, Ubuntu, and others
UNIX
A desktop OS has the following
characteristics:
Supports a single user
Runs single-user applications
Shares files and folders on a small
network with limited security
Common NOS include:
Novell Netware
Microsoft Windows Server
Linux
UNIX
A network OS has the following
characteristics:
Supports multiple users
Runs multi-user applications
Is robust and redundant
Provides increased security
compared to desktop operating
systems
Common hardware upgrades:
RAM capacity
Hard drive size
Processor speed
Video card memory and speed
Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)
Most operating systems have an HCL.
HCLs can be found on the manufacturer's
website.
HCL includes list of hardware that is
known to work with the operating system.
Navigating a Graphical User Interface (GUI)
A GUI provides graphical representations
of all the files, folders, and programs on a
computer.
Customizing the Desktop
To customize any of these, simply right-click the
item and then select Properties.
Taskbar
Recycle Bin
Desktop background
Window appearance
The Start Menu
Customized to two styles, XP and Classic
Accessed by clicking the Start button
The Start menu includes:
A nested list of all installed applications
A list of recently opened documents
A list of other elements, including; a
search feature, a help center, and system
settings
My Computer
When you right-click My Computer and
select Properties, there are several
settings that can be customized:
Computer name
Hardware settings
Virtual memory
Automatic updates
Remote access

Files can also be moved and copied using

My Computer

Launching Applications
Applications can be launched in several ways:
Click the application on the Start menu
Double-click the application shortcut icon
on the desktop
Double-click the application executable file
in My Computer
Launch the application from the Run
window or command line
To view and configure network connections, rightclick the My Network Places icon.
Connect to or disconnect from a network
drive
Right-click Properties to configure
existing network connections, such as a
wired or wireless LAN connection
Control Panel Applets
Display Settings
Change the resolution and color quality
Change wallpaper, screen saver, power
settings, and other options, by clicking the
Advanced button
Device Manager
Used to view settings for devices in the
computer
An exclamation mark indicates a problem
with a device
Task Manager
View all applications that are currently
running
Close any applications that have stopped
responding
Monitor the performance of the CPU and
virtual memory
View all processes that are currently
running
View information about the network
connections
Preventive Maintenance Planning
Components of a preventive maintenance plan:
Updates to the operating system and
applications
Updates to anti-virus and other protective
software
Hard drive error checking
Hard drive backup
Hard drive defragmentation
Schedule Tasks
The DOS AT command launches tasks at a
specified time using the command line
interface
Information about the AT command is available at
this path: Start > Run > cmd Then type AT /? at
the command line.
The Windows Task Scheduler launches
tasks at a specified time using a graphical
interface
Access the Windows Task Scheduler by following
this path: Start > All Programs > Accessories
> System Tools > Scheduled Tasks

Examples of scheduled tasks to run

ScanDisk (Windows 2000) and CHKDSK

(Windows XP) check the integrity of files and
folders and scan the hard disk surface for
physical errors.
Defrag: Gathers the noncontiguous data into one
place, making files run faster
Automatic Updates
An automatic update service scans the
system for needed updates, and
recommends what should be downloaded
and installed.
Automatic update services can setup to
download and install updates as soon as
they are available or as required, and
install them when the computer is next
rebooted.
Backup the Hard Drive
Backup tools allow for recovery of data.
Use the Microsoft Backup Tool to perform
backups.
Establish a backup strategy that will allow
for the recovery of data.
Decide how often the data must be backed
up and the type of backup to perform.
It is only necessary to make copies of the
files that have changed since the last
backup.

Laptops and Portable Devices

Notebooks, laptops, and tablets are types

of portable computers.
For clarity and consistency in this course,
all portable computers will be called
"laptops".
Today, laptops are very popular because
advances in technology have resulted in
laptops that cost less, weigh less, and
have improved capabilities.
PDAs offer features such as games, web
surfing, e-mail, instant messaging, and
many other features offered by PCs.
Smartphones are cell phones with many
built-in PDA capabilities.

Common Uses of Laptops

Taking notes in school or researching
papers
Presenting information in business
meetings
Accessing data away from home or the
office
Playing games while traveling
Watching movies while traveling
Accessing the Internet in a public place
Sending and receiving email in a public
place
Can you think of other uses for laptops?
Common Uses of PDAs and Smartphones
The PDA is an electronic personal
organizer with tools to help organize
information
The Smartphone is a mobile phone with
PDA capabilities.
Other uses of PDAs and Smartphones are
to take phone calls, voice memos, taking

notes, text messaging, browsing the

internet, reading eBooks, playing games,
internet chat, music, contacts, calendar
and GPS.
The Components of a Laptop
Common laptop features:
Small and portable
Integrated display screen in lid
Integrated keyboard
AC power source or rechargeable battery
Hot-swappable drives and peripherals
Some type of docking station or port
replicator to connect to peripherals
Compare Laptop Components and Desktop
Components
Desktop components tend to be
standardized. They usually meet universal
form factors.
Laptop manufacturers focus on refining
laptop components to make them more
efficient and compact as a result, laptop
components are proprietary.
You may not be able to use components
made by one laptop manufacturer to
repair a laptop made by another
manufacturer.
Mobile Phone Standards
Mobile Phone Standards
Short Message Service (SMS)
Purpose: Used for text messaging
Multimedia Message Service (MMS)
Purpose: Used for sending and receiving photos
and videos
Packet Switching
Purpose: Used for accessing the Internet
Proper Cleaning Procedures
Follow proper cleaning procedures to clean
a laptop.
CAUTION:
Do not spray cleaning solution directly onto the
LCD display.
Use products specifically designed for cleaning
LCD displays.
Use a soft, lint-free cloth with an approved
cleaning solution to avoid damaging laptop
surfaces.
Apply the cleaning solution to the lint-free cloth,
not directly to the laptop.

Printers and Scanners

Printers produce paper copies of electronic
files.
Hard copies of computer documents remain
important today.
Scanners allow users to convert paper
documents into
electronic files.

Printers: Speed and Capacity

Printers available today are:
Laser printers using electrophotographic
technology
Inkjet printers using electrostatic spray
technology
Dot matrix printers using impact
technology

Used in applications that require multiple

(carbon) copies
Printer speed is measured in pages per minute
(ppm):
Inkjet Printer 2 - 6 ppm
LaserPrinter 8 - 200 ppm
Price of a printer reflects its capacity and speed
Printers: Color and Quality
The choice between a black-and-white
printer and a color printer depends on the
needs of customers.
A printer produces colors using subtractive
mixing.
The eye sees a color that reflects from the
combination of colors on the paper.
The colors are cyan, magenta, yellow, and black
(CMYK).
Quality is measured in dots per inch (dpi).
The more dpi, the higher the resolution
Printer Driver
Printer driver is the software program that
enables the computer and the printer to
communicate with each other.
Printer Firmware
Firmware is a set of instructions stored
on the printer to control how the printer
operates.
If printing problems occur or you need new
features, consider upgrading the printer's
firmware.
Download the upgrade file from the
manufacturer's website and run a setup
file to install it.

Configuration Options and Defaults

Common printer settings:
Paper type
Print quality
Color printing
Black-and-white printing
Grayscale printing
Paper size
Paper orientation
Print layout
Duplex

Types of Scanners
Scanners convert printed data or images
into an electronic data format that a
computer can store or process as required.
A scanned image can be saved, modified, and
even e-mailed as you would with any other file.
All-in-one scanner
An all-in-one device combines the
functionality of multiple devices into
one physical piece of hardware.
Scanner, Printer, Copier, and/or Fax
Flatbed scanner
Often used to scan books and photographs
for archiving.
Image is acquired by placing the
document face down on the glass. The
scanner head lies beneath the glass and

moves along the item, capturing the

image.
Sheet feeders can be used with flatbed
scanners to scan multiple pages
automatically.
Maintenance:
Keep flatbed scanning glass clean.
Avoid placing items in the scanner that can
scratch the glass.
Drum

scanner
Produce a high-quality scanned image
Usually used in commercial operations
Being replaced by lower priced, highquality flatbed scanners
Still in use for high-end reproductions,
such as archiving photographs in
museums
To scan an image using a drum scanner:
Attach the image to a revolving drum or load it
into a supporting canister.
Drum is rotated at high speed across optical
scanners. Optical scanners move slowly across
the drum surface until the entire image is
captured. The captured image is then reproduced
by the computer as a digital image file.
Handheld scanner
Pass the scanner head across the surface
you want to scan.
When you want to scan an
item larger than the head of
the handheld scanner, you
must make more than one
pass to capture the full image
and then put the images back
together to form a single image
of the item that was scanned.

Chapter 10:
Incorporating Evidence: Use of ComputerBased Clinical Decision Support Systems for
Health Professionals
Decision Support Systems
automated tools designed to support
decision-making activities and improve the
decision-making process and decision
outcomes
intended to use the enormous amounts of
data that exist in information systems to
facilitate decision processes
Clinical Decision Support Systems
designed to support healthcare providers
in making decisions about the delivery and
management of patient care
primary goal is the optimization of both
efficiency and effectiveness with which
clinical decisions are made and care is
delivered
goals may include patient safety and
improved outcomes for specific patient
populations as well as compliance with
clinical guidelines, standards of practice,
and regulatory requirements
may include alerts and reminders,
diagnostic assistance, therapy critiques
and plans, medication orders, image
recognition and interpretation, and
information retrieval

development requires huge financial and

intellectual investment but also represents
the potential to reduce care costs through
improvement of the decision process at
the point of care and to reduce the
possibility of costly errors

Nursing Decision Support Systems

tools that help nurses
improve their effectiveness
identify appropriate interventions
determine areas in need of policy or
protocol development
support patient safety initiatives and
quality improvement activities
Types of DSS
Administrative and Organizational
Systems
systems that support
organizational, executive/
managerial, financial, and clinical
decisions.
strategic planning,
budgeting, financial analysis, quality
management, continuous process
improvement, and clinical
benchmarking

Integrated Systems
- support outcomes performance
management by integrating
operational data - budgeting,
executive decision-making, and
strategic planning data - with
clinical data - clinical event tracking,
results reporting, pharmaceutical
ordering and dispensing, differential
diagnoses, real-time clinical
pathways, literature research, and
clinical alerts

Characteristics of DSS
Data-based systems (populationbased)
- capitalize on the fundamental input
into any intelligent system data
- provide decision support with a
population perspective and use
routinely collected longitudinal,
cohort, and cross-sectional
databases
used to enhance clinical
decision-making, funnel patients to
medical care, and enhance medical
practice

Model-based systems (case-based)

- driven by access to and manipulation
of a statistical, financial, optimization,
and/or simulation model
- data are compared to various
decision-making and analytic models.
A model is a generalization that can
be used to describe the relationships
among a number of observations to
represent a perception of how things
fit together. Models may be
pathophysiologic, statistical, or
analytic
- examples: linear programming (i.e.
scheduling nurses or physicians or
resource allocation, simulation for
emergency department or operating
room scheduling or provider profiling

Knowledge-based
- rely on expert knowledge that is either
embedded in the system or accessible
from another source and uses some
type of knowledge acquisition process
to understand and capture the
cognitive process of healthcare
providers
Graphics-based
take advantage of the user
interface to support decisions by
providing decision cues to the user
in the form of color, graphical
representation options, and data
visualization

Patient Safety and

Chapter 11

Nursing Informatics and Healthcare

Policy

Policy a course of action that guides

present and future decisions.
Action is based on given conditions and
selected from among identified
alternatives.
Healthcare Policy is established on local,
state, and national levels to guide the
implementation of solutions for the
populations health needs.

Healthcare Policy and Nursing Informatics

as a Specialty
Differentiated and Interdisciplinary
Practice
Emphasizes its interaction with
informatics disciplines such as
mathematics, statistics, linguistics,
engineering, computer science,
and health informatics.
Preparation for Specialty Practice
Between 1988 1992, the Division
of Nursing together with Health
and Human Services Administration
funded two Masters NI program at
University in Maryland and
University in Utah.
1997, New York University offered
Masters in NI
1998, Duquesne University in
Pittsburgh
American Nurses Credentialing
Center offered certification
examinations for nurse generalist
from November 1995 December
2003 producing 551 nurse
generalist in NI.
Healthcare Policy Impact on Nursing
Informatics Practice
Nursing Shortage and Nursing Informatics
Older nursing workforce
Higher ratio of older associate degree
graduates rather than their younger
baccalaureate counterparts
Availability of more attractive career
opportunities for women
Decreased interest in nursing as a
career
Difficult work environments
800,00 short of nurses by 2020(HRSA,
2002)
1.1M needed by 2012(BLS, 2004)

Nursing Informatics
Medication errors
Billing errors
Documentation errors

National Informatics Initiative and Nursing

Informatics
Executive Order for National Interoperable
Information System

Incentives for the Use of

Health Information Technology and
Establishing the Position of the
National Health Information
Technology Coordinator
Establish a national health
information technology
coordinator position
Work to develop a nationwide
interoperable health IT
infrastructure
Develop, maintain, and direct
implementation of a strategic
plan to guide implementation
of interoperable health IT in
both public and private sectors.
Guidelines for the infrastructure

Appropriate information is
available at the time and place
needed for medical decisions

Health quality is improved

and evidence-based medical care is
delivered

Healthcare costs are

reduced

More information is
available to promote greater
competition

Health information is
exchanged

Identifiable health
information is secured and
protected
National Health Information Infrastructure
Improve the effectiveness,
Efficiency,
Overall quality of health and
healthcare
Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act

passed on 1996

intended to improve public

and private health programs by
establishing standards to facilitate
the efficient transmission of
electronic health information

Nursing Agenda for Nursing Informatics

Five strategic direction for NI

Include core informatics

knowledge and skill in all
undergraduate, graduate, and
continuing education programs

Increase the number of

nurses with specialized skills in
informatics

Enhance nursing practice

and education through informatics
projects.

Improve faculty skills in NI

Increase collaborative
efforts in NI

Telehealth and Nursing Informatics

Definition: the use of electronic
information and telecommunications
technologies to support:
Long distance clinical healthcare
Patient and professional healthrelated education
Public health
Health administration

Factors advancing telehealth technology

innovation:
decreasing cost of
telecommunication technologies
decreasing cost of telehealth
devices and application
resolution of interoperability issues
convergence of telehealth and
telecommunications technologies
IT
Internet