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The first computers used vacuum tubes instead of microchips, requring large, cooled rooms for operating.
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In the 1960's this system was one of the first uses of computers in healthcare. A stiff paper contained either commands for automated machines or data for data applications.
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While still requiring large, super cooled rooms, mainframe computers offered simple financial software. Used throughout hospitals, the benefits of the speed, support, and proccessing was beginning to become evident.
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With evolving technology and increased memory capacity, computers appeard through out departments in hospital settings. In the HIM department, computers were used to help with the master patient index.
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The 1980's & 1990's saw computers become smaller, cheaper, faster, and hold more memory. In the HIM industry, employee production increased as each department employee had a computer at their workstation.
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During the mid 2000's laptops, tablets, and smart phones make computer systems in healthcare settings portable. Healthcare providers can enter patient infromation during patient interaction, which is then immediatly available to all departments within the facility. This also decreases errors in patient documentation.
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As technology continues to evolve, today's healthcare system uses cloud computing to store data and run applications from multiple devices.
