It is an electronic device that stores, retrieves, and processes data, and can be programmed with instructions. It can also perform several complex and complicated functions. A computer is composed of hardware and software and can exist in a variety of sizes and configurations.

1. COMPUTERS
IN
HOSPITAL
PHARMACY
Prepared by: Ms Shivanee Vyas
Assistant Professor
SVKM’s NMIMS, School of Pharmacy and Technology
Management

2. Computer
▸ It is the electronic device that stores, retrieves, and
processes data, and can be programmed with
instructions it can also perform several complex and
complicated functions.
▸ A computer is composed of hardware and software and
can exist in a variety of sizes and configurations.
▸ The term hardware refers to the physical component of a
computer such as a mouse, keyboard, monitor etc. The
software is the instructions that make the computer
work.
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• Advantages:
1. High speed
2. Storage capacity-software, floppy disc, hard disc
3. Easy retrieval of data
4. Accurate results
5. Can perform complicated, several arithmetical and logical functions
6. It is time-saving.
7. Space saving
8. Economic
9. Can work for 24 hours
• Disadvantage:
1. Cannot correct itself.
2. Lack of common sense.
3. Depends upon human instructions
4. Electricity is required.
5. A skilled person is required for the operation.

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Role of Computers in Hospital Pharmacy
Computers are used more frequently for a wide variety of work in hospital pharmacies.
1. In drug stores for billing, purchasing, stocking, ordering etc.
2. In-hospital pharmacy to record prescriptions.
3. In the pathological laboratory.
4. In the manufacturing section of the hospital pharmacy.
5. In the maintenance of patients’ records.
6. In data storage and retrieval.
7. In inventory control.
8. In medication order entry.
9. In drug therapy monitoring.
10. In reporting ADRs.
11. In purchasing and accounting.
12. In billing of charge floor stock.

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• Parts/ components of computer
1. Central processing unit or microprocessor: This is the
part of the computer which processes instructions. it
performs calculations, manages the flow of data and
executes program instructions, CPU receives the program
from an input source called a keyboard, from memory or
from a storage disc.
2. Memory
I. Read-only memory (ROM): It is built into the system and
can be read but not erased when the computer is switched
off. The main function of ROM is to hold permanent operating
instructions for computers.
I. Random access memory (RAM): RAM is volatile and
erased when a computer is switched off. It is used to store
data in the computer for processing.

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3. Storage:
I. Hard drives or discs are installed within the internal operating system and are directly
linked to the processing unit.
II. Disc drives or floppies are attached to the microprocessor so external information
can be transmitted.
Hard drive or hard discs Disc drives or floppies

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4. Keyboard: A computer keyboard is an input device
used to enter characters and functions into the
computer system by pressing buttons, or keys. It is the
primary device used to enter text. A keyboard typically
contains keys for individual letters, numbers and special
characters, as well as keys for specific functions.
5. Mouse: A computer mouse is an input device that is
used with a computer. Moving the mouse along a flat
surface can move the cursor to different items on the
screen. Items can be moved or selected by pressing the
mouse button.

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6. Software: Software is a set of instructions, data or
programs used to operate computers and execute
specific tasks. Examples of applications include office
suites, web browsers, word processors, software
development tools, image editors and communication
platforms. There are broadly three types of software i.e.
system software, application software and programming
language software. Each type of software has its
function and runs on the computer system.
6. Printer: A printer is an output device that prints paper
documents. This includes text documents, images, or a
combination of both. The two most common types of
printers are inkjet and laser printers.

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Role of Computer in Record maintenance
Records in hospital pharmacies can be conveniently grouped as:
1. Records related to patient
2. Records related to drug
1. Records related to patient: These includes:
a) Personal information of the patient like:
Name: Occupation: Date of admission:
Age: Address: Date of transfer:
Sex: Ward no.: Date of discharge:
Bed no.:
b) Drug allergies and habits and diseases, etc.
Allergies: Non-prescribe drug:
Body disorders: Addicted by:
Previous disorders:
2. Record related to drugs:
Date: Route of administration:
Name of the drug: Frequency of drug administration:
Dose of the drug: Change in the dose of drug:

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3. Records related to charges or bills to the patient for charge floor drugs.
4. Records related to ADRs if reported.
5. Inventory control record for drugs in hospital formulary.
• Data of physicians like name, qualification, address, phone no. are stored in
computers so that emergency contact is possible.
• Prescriptions can be recorded and stored in computers so that patient
compliance and refilling frequency can be checked.
• PAD, MEDOPHORES, and MEDLARS packages related to drug information are
available which are useful in the hospital pharmacy department.

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Role of Computers in Inventory Control
“Drug inventory control is a balance between not ordering too much and avoiding
out-of-stock situations.”
The main use of computers in purchase and inventory control is:
1. To detect the item which has reached the minimum order level.
2. To prepare a list of items which have reached and their quantities.
3. To prepare purchase orders for vendors.
4. Inventory control of drugs manages current stocks, outgoing stocks, incoming stocks
etc.
There are two types of systems used in inventory control:
1. Periodic inventory control system: In this system, one person is appointed to check
the stock of items periodically so that no extra items are stocked and it avoids
inventory.
2. Perpetual system: A daily check of the stock and the ledger of the store is performed in
this system, giving accurate information about the stock at hand so further purchasing
procedures may begin.

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Role of computers in Medication monitoring
“Medication monitoring means constant supervision by a pharmacist on the administered
drugs to the patients to observe the specific pharmacological action, drug interaction or
adverse effect if any.”
• For monitoring of drugs computers provide data on drugs and also show variations in
pharmacological actions as the doses are administered, e.g. in cardiac patients changes
in pulses, heartbeat, etc.
• Computers generate the list of drugs to be administered by the patient from the
prescription.
• Prior to this, a check is made for drug-to-drug interaction.
• Medication administered in the ward to the patient is entered into the computer as a
medicine administration record.
This cycle continues till the time patient is hospitalized. For monitoring drug therapy the
computer can be used by a clinical pharmacist.

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Thus medication monitoring computers will have mainly two types of
applications:
1. Pharmacokinetic application: by using a computer program like NONLIN
the pharmacokinetic parameters can be predicted very easily. Depending
on these parameters dose of drug administration can be adjusted.
2. Non-pharmacokinetic applications: These includes drug-drug, drug-
laboratory, drug-allergy, and drug-disease interaction detection.

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Role of Computers in Pathology laboratory
A package like LNS, KINPAK, NONLIN, and SUMEX are loaded on computers
therefore, analysis reports can be obtained quickly with probable diagnosis.
Simultaneously reports are stored on computers therefore, documentation will
be easier.
The paperwork is also minimized.
Whenever required, information can be stored and retrieved.

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Role of computers in drug store
Computers have several advantages like more speed, great accuracy, more working power,
negligible mistakes, storage of information, etc. therefore, they are used in drug stores for:
1. Maintenance of records
2. Preparing purchase list
3. Preparing purchase order
4. For budget adjustment
5. Preparation of receipt
6. Storage of prescriptions
7. To prepare a list of expired drugs
8. To control overstocking and understocking of drugs
9. To get information on different manufacturers, their products, brand names and prices,
etc.
10. It helps to prepare comparative statements of questions from different
suppliers/manufacturers.

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