This document is about software and hardware's role in health and medicine.

1. Software
1. Electronic Health Records (EHR)
EHR software is a system for patient data collection. It enables
digital storage of patients’ personal information, medical history
(including procedures and prescriptions), and doctors’
recommendations. Access to the information is restricted to the
authorized personnel, but the tool allows for the integration of
data across multiple departments.
The two most popular types of EHR software are the Electronic
Patient Record (EPR) and Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
The EPR is used by hospitals internally to store their patients’
data. The EMR is a record of a patient’s recovery course and
actions taken by a specific hospital unit.
Examples: eClinicalWorks, Allscripts
What Are the Benefits of Electronic Health Records?
Examples of the numerous benefits of electronic medical records
in hospitals and other healthcare facilities include:
Improved Quality of Care: Computerized notes are often easier to
read than a physician's handwriting. This reduces the risk of
errors and misinterpretations that can negatively impact the
quality of patient care.
Convenience and Efficiency: Medical and office staff no longer
have to waste time sorting through cumbersome paper records.
Users can access electronic health records quickly and efficiently
with just a few strokes on a keyboard.
Saving Space: Electronic health records eliminate the need to
store documents in bulky file cabinets, which frees up more space

2. in the office for medical supplies and equipment, and other
essentials.
Financial Incentives: Installing a certified EHR can help you fulfil
the Meaningful Use requirements for Medicaid and Medicare,
making you eligible for various incentives from the federal
government.
What Are the Disadvantages of Electronic Health Records?
There are also several disadvantages of electronic medical
records, such as:
Potential Privacy and Security Issues: As with just about every
computer network these days, EHR systems are vulnerable to
hacking, which means sensitive patient data could fall into the
wrong hands.
Inaccurate Information: Because of the instantaneous nature of
electronic health records, they must be updated immediately after
each patient visit — or whenever there is a change to the
information. The failure to do so could mean other healthcare
providers will rely on inaccurate data when determining
appropriate treatment protocols.
Malpractice Liability Concerns: There are several potential
liability issues associated with EHR implementation. For example,
medical data could get lost or destroyed during the transition
from a paper-based to a computerized EHR system, which could
lead to treatment errors. Since doctors have greater access to
medical data via EHR, they can be held responsible if they do not
access all the information at their disposal.
2. Patient Portals

3. This type of medical software allows patients to access their data
stored in the Electronic Health Record. It provides an easy way to
check one’s medical records and get an overview of available
services. Medical organizations need to acknowledge the value of
a portal that brings transparency to information for the patients.
Having such a solution in place can result in an improved
satisfaction rate for their overall services.
Pros-
Better communication with chronically ill patients
One of the clearest benefits of a patient portal is the added ability
for communication between patients and providers, and these
benefits are felt strongest in chronically ill patients. With the
secure messaging functions on patient portals, chronically ill
patients can message their providers whenever they have a simple
question, reducing time on the phone and unnecessary trips to the
doctor’s office.
More complete and accurate patient information
Patient portals, by offering a patient a view of their health
information and the ability to communicate with their physician,
create opportunities to obtain more complete and accurate
patient information.
When viewing their data, patients can identify any inaccuracies
and inconsistencies in their health records and then act by either
securely messaging their provider or bringing up the issue at their
next physician visit.
Although patients aren’t able to manually edit these problems on
their own, this partial patient control of information makes it
more likely for providers to work with more complete and
accurate patient data, increasing the quality of care they provide.
Increased patient ownership of their care

4. Big-picture benefits of patient portals are undoubtedly headed by
an ability to empower patients and give them ownership in their
care. When patients have access to their health information with
patient portals and the decisions their physicians are making,
they inevitably feel like a partner in care rather than simply
recipients of care.
Cons-
Healthcare data security concerns
Patient portals, generally speaking, are health IT interface on
which patients can view their protected health information (PHI).
Although this can be viewed as a good thing because patients do
have the right to see their health data, it also opens doors for
security concerns.
A patient portal may be just one more place for a potential
hacker or healthcare data thief to access a patient’s data, leaving
that patient liable to identity theft. However, with appropriate
safeguards, these concerns can be kept at a minimum.
Difficult patient buy-in
The most frequently reported downside to patient portals is the
difficulty providers often face in generating patient buy-in.
Although providers are generally aware of the health perks of
using a patient portal, patients are seldom as excited about the
portal as they are.
It is quite clear that providers cannot control the actions of their
patients, portals are sometimes viewed negatively because
providers struggle with this meaningful use attestation
requirement.
Although there is no cut-and-dried solution to this problem,
several providers have shared their secrets to success in
encouraging patients to adopt the patient portal. For example,
ONC reports that positive provider testimony goes a long way in

5. convincing a patient to take up the technology because patients
generally trust their doctor’s opinions.
3. Telemedicine Software

6. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, telemedicine has become a
quickly adopted alternative to the traditional, face-to-face
delivery of medical services. Telemedicine software enables
doctors to carry out consultations online and can be
complemented with additional features like medicine prescription
tools. Convenience and service accessibility contribute greatly to
the popularity of this solution.
Examples: Doxy.me, Zingtree
Benefits for patients
Telemedicine can help treat a range of medical conditions. It is
most successful when a person seeks care from a qualified
physician and provides clear details about their symptoms.
Some other benefits of telemedicine include:
Improved access to careTrusted Source: Telemedicine makes it
easier for people with disabilities to access care. It can also
improve access for other populations, including older adults,
people who are geographically isolated, and those who are
incarcerated.
Preventive care: Telemedicine may make it easier for people to
access preventive care that improves their long-term health. This
is especially true for people with financial or geographic barriers
to quality care. For instance, a 2012 study of people with coronary
artery disease found that preventive telemedicine improved
health outcomes.
Convenience: Telemedicine allows people to access care in the
comfort and privacy of their own homes. This may mean that a
person does not have to take time off of work or arrange
childcare.
Benefits for healthcare providers-

7. Healthcare providers who offer telemedicine services may gain
several benefits, including:
Reduced overhead expenses: Providers who offer telemedicine
services may incur fewer overhead costs. For example, they may
pay less for front desk support or be able to invest in an office
space with fewer exam rooms.
Additional revenue stream: Clinicians may find that telemedicine
supplements their income because it allows them to provide care
to more patients.
Less exposure to illness and infections: When providers see
patients remotely, they do not have to worry about exposure to
any pathogens the patient may carry.
Patient satisfaction: When a patient does not have to travel to the
office or wait for care, they may be happier with their provider.
However, telemedicine may not suit every person or situation.
There are some potential disadvantages when using telemedicine
over traditional care methods.
The following sections look at some disadvantages for patients
and healthcare providers.
Disadvantages for patients-
Telemedicine is not a good fit for all patients. Some drawbacks of
this type of care include:
Insurance coverage: Not all insurers cover telemedicine. Only 26
states currently require insurers to cover or reimburse the costs
of telemedicine. However, these laws are constantly changing.

8. Care delays: When a person needs emergency care, accessing
telemedicine first may delay treatment, particularly since a doctor
cannot provide life-saving care or laboratory tests digitally.
Disadvantages for healthcare providers
Healthcare providers may also face some drawbacks associated
with telemedicine, including:
Technological concerns: Finding the right digital platform to use
can be challenging. Also, a weak connection can make it difficult
to offer quality care. Clinicians must also ensure that the
telemedicine program they use is secure and fully compliant with
privacy laws.
4. E-Prescribing Software

9. Electronic prescriptions are quickly gaining popularity among
doctors and patients. E-prescribing programs let physicians not
only create new prescriptions but also track the previous ones,
and renew or cancel them. In many instances, this kind of
software allows for direct contact with pharmacies and placing
orders without misunderstandings or errors.
Examples: MediTab, ScriptSure
The Advantages:
Convenience – Removes the need for paper prescriptions and
therefore the need for the patient to physically come to the
practice.
Cost reduction – of mailing the original prescription to the
pharmacy
Safety of medicines – especially if used in conjunction with
prescription management apps
The Disadvantages:
Following the conclusion of the government SMS token subsidy in
June 2022, there will be a cost to clinics associated with
ePrescriptions
Patients can easily delete their prescriptions on their phone
messages or emails, thereby needing to reissue prescriptions
5. Healthcare Billing Software

10. Healthcare billing software simplifies and automates medical
billing procedures. It enables secure payment methods and allows
for easier transaction tracking. The software can also offer
advanced analytics options, which can be crucial in assessing the
general financial condition of the institution as well as cost-saving
opportunities. Finally, it can be synchronized with the EHR to
cross-check patients’ billing records with their medical history.
Examples: Epic Care
Advantages of medical billing services
Accuracy in billing
An error in the basic demographic information (i.e., age, date of
birth, sex, address) of the patient can cause payment rejection.
Medical billing services providers have trained resources that can
enter the patient information cautiously and always check the
current insurance status of the patient, cover services and
perform pre-authorization.
Entering right codes
Medical billing service providers use advanced tools to make sure
that the right codes have been entered. There is always a
possibility of entering the wrong ICD or CPT codes. A mismatch
between diagnosis and procedural codes would provide a valid
reason for payment denial.
Audits and reports
Medical billing companies review the status of claims periodically
and assess the ratio of bills being rejected and accepted. The
rejections are further analyzed to find the cause and follow-up
rectification process. The payment claims are followed up on and
resubmitted after fixing the errors. Medical billing services
providers keep medical practices updated on the status of their

11. accounts with monthly and weekly reports. It makes it much
easier to track performance and analyze the revenue cycle.
Real-time updates on returns
Integrated health care technologies have provided advanced ways
of tracking the claim status. These tools and expertise of medical
billing companies are instrumental in streamlining accurate
coding, billing, and processing of claims across networks,
connecting healthcare facilities with patients, clearinghouses,
insurance companies, and government agencies. On a successful
collection, providers are notified with full transaction history.
Disadvantages of Outsourcing Medical Billing
Lack of control over resources
One of the biggest concerns for administrators is the lack of
control when they transfer to an outsourcing agent. In these
situations, incompatible software or hardware can inhibit
transparency for partners.
Lack of financial resources for conversion
Converting to an outsourced billing setup can be expensive,
especially for small surgical centres, private physicians, and rural
outpatient clinics. Structuring agreements that address collection
protocol and commission levels can help you control costs.
Locating a partner that has compatible technology that will not
require updating infrastructure is essential for enterprises that
are operating with limited budgets.
Lack of appropriate security protocol
There is no getting around the requirement to protect your
patients’ data as you deploy an integrated software solution. So,

12. keep in mind that if you allow an external vendor to access your
system, it opens the door to malicious code and cyber-attacks.
Hardware

13. 1. ECG
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a record of the electrical
activity of the heart over some time. The instrument that makes
the record is the ECG machine or Electrocardiograph. It works
by attaching electrodes to the outer surface of the skin.
An electrocardiogram monitors the heart. Each beat of the heart
is triggered by an electrical impulse, normally generated from
special cells in the upper right chamber of the heart. An
electrocardiogram records these electrical signals as they travel
through the heart. Doctors can use an electrocardiogram to look
for patterns among these heartbeats and rhythms to diagnose
various heart conditions.
ECG is used to measure the rate and regularity of heartbeats, the
size and position of the chambers, the presence of any damage to
the heart, and the effects of drugs or devices used to regulate the
heart, such as an artificial pacemaker.
Benefits or advantages of ECG
Following are the benefits or advantages of ECG data collected by
ECG sensors.
 ECG is helpful to measure three basic parameters of clinical
interest viz. rhythm and heart rate, the axis of the heart, and
the state of myocardial muscle.
 ECG represents data in the topographic form which provides
higher diagnostical information.
 ECG helps to prevent heart attacks by analyzing heart
parameters at the initial stage.
 ECG is used to detect the cardiac conditions of the patients
after surgery or any other operation and after the application
of anaesthesia.

14.  ECG test is quick, painless, and safe.
 ECG test is cheap.
Drawbacks or disadvantages of ECG test
Following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of the ECG test:
 It does not provide underlying heart problems for patients not
having any symptoms.
 It does not always provide help in accurate diagnosis. More
tests are needed to trace serious heart problems undetected by
normal ECG curves.
2. Ultrasound

15. Ultrasound is used in many different fields. Ultrasonic devices are
used to detect objects and measure distances. Ultrasound imaging
or sonography is often used in medicine.
Benefits include-
 No ionizing radiation
 Portability, facilitated by laptop-sized ultrasound machines.
 Simplicity, although initially, the Ultrasound may be
intimidating the common blocks e.g., femoral are readily
mastered by most anaesthetists.
 Using ultrasound, the nerve itself can be imaged.
Disadvantages include-
 Increased depth means a lower frequency is required for
optimal imaging. As a consequence, there is a lower resolution.
Over time Ultrasound machines have become more
sophisticated, some of these machines use the returning second-
degree harmonic of the original frequency to produce an
improved image.
 Anisotropy. Simply this means a structure is highly reflective
to ultrasound. This occurs with nerves, tendons, and needles.
The Ultrasound beam must be at or close to perpendicular to
the structure for the beam to ‘bounce’ back to the probe for an
image to be created. Manufacturers now have a specific
program to enhance the needle image.
 Bone blocks Ultrasound waves. As such imaging of the spine is
increasingly difficult with increasing age.
 Artefacts are common. If a structure can only be seen in one
place it is likely to be an artefact. Manufacturers have tried to
make life easier with multi-beam technology. By repeatedly
changing the angle of the US beam the US filters out a lot of
artefacts.
 Training. Ultrasound techniques require improved anatomical
knowledge and a formal educational program.

16. 3. PET / CT SCANNERS
PET is a common imaging technique, a medical scintigraphy
technique used in nuclear medicine. A radiopharmaceutical—a
radioisotope attached to a drug—is injected into the body as a
tracer. Gamma rays are emitted and detected by gamma cameras
to form a three-dimensional image, in a similar way that an X-ray
image is captured.
PET scanners can incorporate a CT scanner and are known as
PET-CT scanners. PET scan images can be reconstructed using a
CT scan performed using one scanner during the same session.
Advantages of PET/CT Scans
Double the Diagnostic Clarity
The fact that a PET scan and CT scan show different things, that
when combined patients reap twice the diagnostic benefits. Alone,
a PET scan will show areas of increased activity within the body –
while a CT scan alone produces detailed images of tissues and
organs inside the body. Together, the scans allow your doctor to
see exactly where the issues are, and what may be contributing to
them. It can help differentiate between a cancerous and
noncancerous mass in the body.
Painless and Short
It is a relatively painless procedure that measures both anatomy
and metabolic function within the patient’s body as images are
captured in a single scan.
The actual scan only takes about half an hour to complete.
Easy, Nondisruptive
Aside from the initial injection of the radioactive material, the
exam is non-invasive and requires no recovery or downtime

17. afterwards. Patients may immediately assume normal activities
after a PET/CT scan.
Disadvantages of PET/CT Scans
 Pregnant women should not undergo PET/CT scans because
the radioactive tracers used may be dangerous to the baby.
While the amount of radiation received is negligible and isn’t
any more dangerous to patients than the exposure they’d
receive from a low-dose X-ray, pregnant women should avoid
any exposure to radiation while pregnant or breastfeeding.
 Diabetics may undergo a PET/CT scan, but with certain
precautions. Because the radioactive material is combined with
glucose and then injected into the patient, this can be a concern
for some diabetic patients. Before having a PET/CT scan, a
diabetic patient’s blood sugar level will be evaluated, and a
glucose serum blood test might be administered. This can
significantly increase the time required to complete the testing.