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1. Give a brief description of four secondary storage media and include their advantages and disadvantages. 1) Magnetic tape: Data are recorded as magnetized “spots” on tape. Advantages: large amounts of date can be stored at low cost; relativity stable medium. Disadvantage: Older medium; slow speed; sequential access only. 2) USB (universal serial bus flash drive): Small circuit broad encased in metal or plastic that interface with the computer via the USB port. Advantages: Very small, highly portable; inexpensive. Disadvantage: Memory cells eventually fail; easily lost/ portable media pose security issues. 3) Smart Card : Resemble a plastic credit card, but has embedded computer chip to store and process information: Advantages: Convenient; good memory capacities. Disadvantage: Required special reader; easily lost/ portable media pose security issues. 4) Magnetic disk- advantage- Hard disks can store large amount of data in small physical space Floppy disks are very inexpensive. Disadvantage- Floppy disk storage volume is relatively small; disks are insecure and easily damaged or lost; medium is becoming obsolete. 2. Discuss the relative advantage of using a pointing device to enter a patient's vital signs compared with simply typing in the values using a keyboard. The relative advantage of using a pointing device to enter a patient’s vital signs is easy to use rapid data entry, compared with simply typing in the values using a key board which is avoiding data entry errors 3. Suggest how the use of a patient ID bracelet containing a bar-code representation of the patient's ID and a bar-code scanner can lead to improved quality of care in a hospital. The use of a patient ID bracelet containing a bar code representation of the patient’s ID and a bar code scanner can lead to improve quality of care in a hospital; rapid data entry good error control, useful in tracking systems. In healthcare computing data entry typically occurred at centralized location, such at nursing stations, dictation rooms and physicians offices. The information systems are designed to facilitated data captured at the point of care, such as the patient’s bedside, diagnostic  area or in the in the treatment room.  The data captured concurrently with the patient examination and treatment digitally enhanced the diagnostic devices. Data is also been entered into the computer been used at the workstation in or near the patient’s room with the hand held device. 4. Explain what is meant by the resolution of a VDT, and indicate applications where high resolution is important. Resolution of a VDT, is used in the output quality either in the printer or monitor output device and the indicate applications where high resolution is important; typically called a monitor, the VDT has evolved to high resolution liquid crystal displays. Theses sophisticated monitors can display images at resolutions high enough to support clinical diagnosis and treatment. Laser printers are capable of co-producing artwork and detailed diagnostic images. 5. Describe how the development of integrated healthcare systems has created an impetus for installing computer networks. All modules required to satisfy the organization's computing needs are identified and purchased from a single vendor.  These modules will have been designed to work with one another so that data transfer among modules proceeds smoothly.  The use of an interfaced approach is made simpler if the modules comprising the interfaced system have all been developed in accordance with a standard that makes their data formats compatible.  An integrated system include compatibility among the modules and the need to have only a single source for system support and maintenance.  However, interfaced systems that allow users to choose the leading system for a given module can sometimes result in lower costs by leveraging one vendor against another, obviating the need to replace all existing modules when updates are considered 6. Describe in detail at least 3 important applications of electronic data interchange in the healthcare field. One important application of electronic data interchange is the ability to incorporate standards and procedures so that the receiving computer will be able to interpret the output of the sending computer.  Another application is electronic data interchange involves the electronic processing of health insurance claims.  Increased numbers of claims can be processed daily, and turnaround time is improved dramatically over paper-based claims.  Thirdly, electronic data interchange plays a role in supply chain management by monitoring utilization, forecasting demands, and generating orders Reference: Austin, C. J., & Boxerman, S. B. (2008). Information systems for healthcare management (7th ed.). Chicago: Health Administration Press.