1. Identify at least three types of computers, how they process information, and the purpose and function of each computer. while also being bound by managed care organization (MCO) standards. Describe two key reform factors that you believe will need to be addressed by future health care workers or leaders and explain why. Additionally, what role does adherence to MCO standards play in your future health care vision?
Sample Answer
1. Types of Computers, Information Processing, Purpose, and Function
All digital computers, regardless of their type, process information through a cycle of input, processing, storage, and output. The core components involved are the Central Processing Unit (CPU) for computation, Random Access Memory (RAM) for temporary data storage, and various input/output (I/O) interfaces. The primary differences lie in their scale, specialization, and form factor.
a) Enterprise Server (e.g., in a Hospital Data Center)
- How it Processes Information: Enterprise servers are built for high-volume, continuous processing. They utilize multiple powerful CPUs, vast amounts of high-speed RAM, and redundant storage systems (e.g., RAID arrays of SSDs or HDDs). Information (patient records, diagnostic images, appointment schedules) is received from numerous client devices (doctor's workstations, mobile apps, medical devices) over a network. The server's CPUs execute complex database queries, run specialized healthcare applications (Electronic Health Records - EHR), and process computational tasks. Processed data is stored persistently in databases and then transmitted back to the requesting clients or other systems. Redundancy in power supplies, network interfaces, and storage ensures high availability and data integrity.