Bibliography

Wehave listed here the books we found useful when doing the research for this book. We also drew upon numerous computer manuals and magazines which have not been listed for practical reasons of space.

Benson, Tim (1991) Medical lnformatics, Longman, London. Hughes, Jane and Humphrey, Charlotte (1990) Medical Audit in General

Practice -A Practical Guide to the Literature, King's Fund Centre, London. lrvine, Donald (1990) Managing for Quality in General Practice, King's Fund

Centre, London. Irvine, Donald and lrvine, Sally (1991) Making Sense of Audit, Radcliff Medical

Press, Oxford. Jamsa, Kris (1991) DOS the New Complete Reference, 3rd edn, Osborne

McGraw Hili, Berkeley. Moving to Audit- An Education Package for Hospital Doctors and General

Practitioners (1992) Centre for Medical Education, Postgraduate Office, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee (funded by National Health Service in Scotland).

Rigby, Michael, McBride, Anne and Shiels, Chris (1991) Computers in Medical Audit, 2nd edn, Royal Society of Medicine Services Ltd, London.

Shaw, Charles (1990) Medical Audit- A Hospital Handbook, 3rd edn, King's Fund Centre, London.

Smith, Richard (ed.) (1992) Audit in Action, British Medical Journal, London. Understanding Computers- Computer Basics (1989) Time Life Books, New

York

alphanumeric

ALTkey

ALU

AND

application package

ASCII

assembly language

AUTOEXEC.BAT

back up

backing store

bar codes

Glossary

The alphabetic characters in upper and lower case, the numeric characters and other charac­ters printed on the keys of the keyboard. See also numeric. ALT, short for Alternate, key on the keyboard. It is pressed in conjunction with other keys to give commands to the computer. Arithmetic logic unit, the part of the central processing unit that does the text handling and number crunching. Logical function used with Boolean algebra to query databases. See also OR and NOT. A computer program for manipulating data: for instance, a spreadsheet. American Standard Code for Information Interchange. An intemationally accepted code for representing each character with unique binary values. See also byte. A low Ievel computer language, a series of mnemonics each representing one command. A special file that is used by DOS when starting, or booting, up. To make a second copy of files held on com­puter. The back-ups can be used in an emer­gency if the originals become corrupted. The part of the computer where information is stored so that it can be retrieved at a later date: see disks and tape. A series of black and white lines that represent numbers. The bar codes can be read by the computer to save the user inputting the number.

166 // L ______________________ o_L_o_s_sA __ R_Y ____________________ ~

batch processing

baud

binary

binary digit BIOS

bit Boolean algebra

booting up

buffer bug bulletin boards

bus

byte

cache

Caps Lock

cathode ray tube

CD-ROM

cell central processing unit (CPU)

character

chip clipboard

The computer processes data, or instructions, in batches without any intervention from the user. See also interactive processing. A measure of the rate of transmission of bits from one computer to another or from a computer to a printer or modern: for example, 9600 bauds is approximately 9600 bits per second. The system using base 2 which has only two characters 1 and 0. A single digit that can be either 1 or 0. Basic Input/Output System; some of the in­structions that are held in ROM. A shortened version of the words Blnary digiT. A type of algebra that is used with binary systems. The process of starting the computer when it is switched on so that it can be used. A area of temporary storage An error in a computer pro gram. Areas of storage that can be accessed from many different computers. The wires which form the electronic pathway for bits to move from one part of the computer to another. A group of eight bits: see also kilobyte and megabyte. An area of storage which can be used to access data very rapidly. A key that causes each key press to produce a capital Ietter. There is generally a light on the keyboard to indicate that this function is on. A tube, like those found in televisions, that is used to produce computer monitors. A compact disk that can store a large amount of unebanging information (Read Only Memory). A box on a spreadsheet. The heart of the computer where all operations are carried out: see also chip. An individual number, Ietter or symbol. See also numeric and alphanumeric. The microprocessor at the heart of the computer. An area of intermediate storage where informa­tion from one applications package may be

L_ ______________________ o_L_o_s_sA_R __ Y ______________________ ~I I 167

code

communication software

compiler

computer

CONFIG.SYS

control unit

conventional memory

copy protected

CPU CTRL key

crash

cursor

cursor keys

daisy wheel printer

data

database

data types

stored so that it can be used by other packages. A fixed sequence of symbols to represent an object or concept. See also Read Codes, OPCS 4 and ICD9. Instructions that allow one computer to com­municate with another. A program that translates the instructions written in a high Ievel language to machine language so that they can be executed. The central processing unit and other peripheral equipment that can electronically process data according to a set of instructions. A special file that is used by DOS in the starting, or booting, up procedure. Part of the CPU used to control the ftow of information to the ALU. The computer's primary memory where DOS and programs typically reside. Depending on the age of the computer it will be between 64 and 640 kilobytes A means of making sure that a program cannot be copied. See central processing unit. CTRL, short for Control key on the keyboard. It is pressed in conjunction with other keys to give commands to the computer. What happens when a program or the computer stops working. The position on screen where the computer will show the next character. lt is generally indi­cated by a ftashing shape. The keys with arrows printed on them. They control the movement of the cursor around the screen. A printer that contains a wheel with many spokes, with one character at the end of each spoke. The information that is entered into the com­puter to be processed. A type of applications package that can be used for the storage, retrieval and analysis of data. An electronic card index. There are a variety of different types of data that can be handled by computers. These

168 I LI ______________________ G_L_o_s_sA __ R_Y ____________________ ~

default

desktop publisher (DTP)

device

device drivers

digitisers

directory

directory commands

disk

disk drive

disk heads

DOS DOS commands

DOSSHELL

dot matrix printer

double density

down time

dump

include numeric (numbers), alphanumeric (a mixture of numbers and text) and graphic (pictures and graphs). The value, or setting, that the computer will as­sume unless told otherwise. A type of applications package that will allow electronic typesetting and page Iayout. An electronic machine connected to the computer. Small programs that are used to give the com­puter instructions so that it can use the different hardware devices, such as a printer or a mouse. A type of input device. A magnetic pad that allows images tobe handled by the computer. A grouping of related files that are stored on a disk. Commands that are used when handling direct­ories on a disk. They are: CD for Change Directory, MD for Make Directory and RD for Remove Directory. A magnetic or optical medium for storing in­formation that can be retrieved at a later date. The mechanism that rotates a floppy or hard disk, controlling its movements so that in­formation can be retrieved from it. The part of the computer that will read the information from the disk. Disk Operating System. A series of commands that make up the operating system DOS. These are issued to the computer so that it can perform a specified task. A specified DOS command. The shell produces a relatively user-friendly interface for using DOS. A type of printer that produces each character from a series of pins. Each character is made of a number of dots. A measure of how much information a floppy disk can hold. See also high density. Time that the computer is not working due to a fault. To copy the contents of the screen, or a file, to either a printer or a disk.

L_ _____________________ o_L_o_s_sA __ RY ______________________ ~I I 169

editor

electronic mail

Enter/Retum key

ESC key

execute expanded memory

expert system

exporting

extended memory

field

file

file allocation table

file commands

ftoppy disk

font

A simple word processing program that allows changes to be made to files. Mail that can be sent between different users across computer networks. See also bulletin board. The key, usually with a bent arrow drawn upon it, that is pressed to enter an instruction. ESC, short for Escape, is a key whose actions will depend on the particular application, but it usually takes you one stage back in a series of commands. To run a program. A technique that combines hardware (memory chips and boards) and software (known as extended memory manager) to expand memory. See also extended, conventional and high er memory. A computer program that is made up from a series of rules that can be used to aid decision­making. Taking data from one application package and preparing it for use in another package. Combines hardware (memory boards) and software (a program called HIMEM.SYS which prevents different programs from using the same part of the memory) to make use of the memory, above I Mb. It is much faster than using expanded memory. See also expanded, conventional and high er memory. A category of data. The information stored in a database is composed of a number of different fields. The basic unit of information. A file can contain data or programs. The contents page of a directory which gives a Iist of the files that are present. Commands that are used when handling files on a disk. They are TYPE, to see the contents of a file; DEL, to delete a file; REN, to rename a file; and COPY, to make a copy of a file. A removable magnetic disk, in a plastic pro­teelive jacket. They are generally 5~ or 3~ inches in diameter. A typeface that can be produced by a printer.

110 I Ll ______________________ o_L_o_s_sA __ R_Y ____________________ ~

font cartridge

format

freeware function keys

games

garbage in garbage out (GIGO)

gas plasma screen

gateway

3GL

4GL

graphical user interface

graphics

hard copy hard disk

hardware Help

A cartridge that can be plugged in to some printers to extend the number of fonts available. A command which lays down the magnetic tracks and sectors on a disk or a technique which determines the Iayout of data within an application package, such as the paragraph formation within a word processed document. Software that is available free of charge. They keys Iabelied Fl to FIO (F12) either down the side or along the top of the keyboard. The actions of these keys can be programmed so that they can be used to give instructions to the computer. A type of software that allows you to play games with the computer. The first commonly used ones were space invaders. The computer is only as good as the informa­tion collected. If the data input is unreliable the answers coming from the computer will be useless. A type of screen used for some Iaptop computers. Hardware and/or software that allows com­puters, on different networks, to communicate. Third generation languages. These are the conventional computer languages like COBOL, FORTRAN, BASIC and PASCAL. Fourth generation languages. These are a series of newer languages that are more similar to natural language so that even those with no computer experience should able to use them. A pictorial way to communicate with the computer. These types of interfaces are generally easier to use. Production of pictures and graphs (non textual) using the computer. Anything that is printed out from a computer. A non-removable disk, usually sited within the main system box of the computer. The physical parts of the computer. A system of assistance offered by most software packages where information about the package can be shown on the screen, often at the press of a single key (usually Fl). Leaving the Help

L_ _____________________ G_L_o_s_sA_R_Y ______________________ ~I I 111

Heuristic

high density

higher or reserved memory

IBM-compatible PC

ICD9

icons

index

ink jet printer

input

instaU interactive processing

IT

1/0 justified

kilobyte (Kb) keyboard

key field

screen will retum the user to the point at which Help was requested. Context sensitive Help will provide Help screens for the specific function being performed at the time of the request. A rule of thumb, or method for problem­solving, that an expert has developed over years of practice. A measure of how much information a floppy disk can hold. See also double density. The area of memory between the conventional memory and I Mb. Part of it is reserved for interface to the video display and ROM-BIOS. This generally leaves a portion of 384 Kb unused. See also conventional memory. A computer that has been designed to copy the original IBM PC. This means that programs written for the original machines can also be used on the compatible ones. International Classification of Disease 9th Edition. A coding system. Pictures that are shown on screen when using a graphical user interface. Like an index for a book, these can be used with databases so that information can be retrieved more rapidly. See also key field. A type of printer with a cartridge of ink that is fired on to the paper as it prints. A method for getting data into the computer so that it can be processed. Setting up hardware or software for use. Using the computer to have a dialogue with it. The computer responds to the user, one stage at a time. See also batch processing. Information Technology, technology that involves the use of computers. Input/Output. A type of paragraph formatting, whereby the text is lined up along the left and right margins, as in a book. One thousand bytes. See also byte. An input device containing keys that allows the user to communicate with the computer. The field, or fields, that make up the index in a database. See also index.

112 I LI ______________________ G_L_o_s_sA __ R_Y ____________________ ~

LAN

laptop laser printer

light pen

linear storage

line printer

linking fields

liquid crystal display (LCD)

login/logout

machine code

macro

mail merge

mainframe computer

megabyte (Mb) memory

Menu

microcomputer

microprocessor

Local area network, a way of linking micro­computers together over a restricted distance. A small, portable microcomputer. A type of printer that uses a laser to form the required image on a piece of paper. A type of input device that allows the user to shine a pen at the computer screen. Storing information on a tape so that it can only be accessed by playing the tape until the appropriate place is reached. See also random access storage. A type of printer that prints each line as a single unit. Connecting one data base table to another. This is done by telling the computer that the linking fields represent the same data in the different tables. A type of screen used in some portable compu­ters. Seen commonly in calculators and watches. Entering into a computer system or formally exiting a computer system. Generally used with multi-user systems. A very low level computer language, com­municating with the computer in binary. A small program, or series of instructions, that can be called by name and which will then perform the instructions automatically. The production of a large number of indi­vidualised letters from a standard template which is merged with a list of suitable names and addresses and other required information. A large computer that allows many users to use it simultaneously, often used for large pro­cesses such as hospital-wide systems. See also microcomputer and minicomputer. One million bytes. See also byte Part of the CPU. Composed of the Read Only Memory and Raudom Access Memory. See also ROM and RAM. A list of commands that will depend on the type of application program that is being used. A desktop, or smaller, computer. See also minicomputer and mainframe computer. The chip at the heart ofthe computer.

L_ ____________________ o_L_o_s_sA_R_Y ____________________ ~I I t73

minicomputer

modern

monitor (VDU)

motherboard

mouse

multi-media

multi-tasking

multi-user

network

NLQ

normalisation

NOT

NumLock

Open Systems: OSI

operating system

A medium sized computer, often running a departmental system. See also micro­computer and mainframe computer. A MOdulator DEModulator, used to allow computers to communicate with one another across telephone lines. The screen used as an output device for most computers. The board which houses the CPU within the computer. An input device which can be rolled across a flat surface and causes a pointer to move on the screen. A new development where sound and vision can be incorporated into the use of the computer. The process whereby one user can get the computer to do more than one thing at once, for instance use both a spreadsheet and word processor at the same time. The process whereby more than one user can use the computer at the same time. A number of computers connected together to share hardware and information. See also LAN andWAN. Near Letter Quality. Used to describe some printers that produce reasonable quality print out that can be used for correspondence. The process of building database tables, in a relational database system, that will optimise the performance of the database. Logical function used with Boolean algebra to query databases. See also OR and AND. A key that toggles the cursor keys so that they can be used altematively between producing numbers or moving the cursor. Generally a light indicator on the keyboard will show whether the number function is on or off. Open Systems Interconnection.. Standards being developed to enable different computer systems to talk to one another. Software that controls the inputs and outputs of the computer and acts as a translator between the user and the computer.

174 I Ll ____________ o_L_o_s_s_A_R_Y ___________ _J

optical character reader (OCR)

optical mark reader (OMR)

OPCS4

OR

output

package parallel

parameters

parse

PC peripherals

picture

pixel

plotter

pointer

ports

printer

An input device that can scan printed pages and recognise the characters, thus saving the need to retype them into a computer. An input device that can scan specially designed forms and recognise where particular entries have been made. These are widely used to mark multiple choice question papers automatically. Office of Population Censuses and Surveys 4th edition. A coding system. Logical function used with Boolean algebra to query databases. See also AND and NOT. A method for looking at the results of an operation that the computer has performed. A piece of software or application. A method of communication between a com­puter and other peripheral devices. The bits travel as if along an eight-lane motorway, in parallel with each other. See also serial. Qualifiers that inform the computer of the object of a particular command. The process where the computer reads the data that is to be used by the application program. Personal computer. Hardware devices that are connected to the computer by a cable. This can be an icon on the computer screen, or other pictures produced using graphical packages. Alternatively it can be a pattern that the computer has to overlay on top of any data entered, when using a spreadsheet or database. A picture element, the individual dots which form part of the picture the computer generates on screen. A type of output device that can be used to plot intricate designs, traces etc. A pointing device on screen which is coupled to the movement of a mouse. The pointer can assume a number of different shapes depending on the application package and its position on screen. Sockets at the back of the machine that allow peripherals to be plugged in. An outpul device that can be used to produce hard copy.

L_ ______________________ o_L_o_s_sA __ R_Y ______________________ ~I I 175

program

prompt

protected mode

pulldown menu

punched cards

querying

RAM

RAM drive

random access storage

Read Codes

read/write heads

A Iist of instructions telling the computer what to do. A series of letters that precede the cursor on the screen. These can say anything at all but it is most helpful for them to indicate the current disk drive and directory. For example C:\> A way of using the computer so that programs can reside in extended memory. See also real mode. A menu option shown as one word on the screen. Once activated the choices available are shown as a Iist that pulls down from the original word. These menu systems are be­coming more common especially in the more user-friendly packages including those that use a graphical user interface. See WIMP, graphical user interface An old form of input device. Each card had holes punched out of it and represented a line in aprogram. The process of asking questions of a database. See also reporting. Random Access Memory. The working part of the computer's memory. The instructions to make the computer behave as a database or spreadsheet etc. are held here. Any files being created by the user are also held here. The memory is volatile. If the power is cut off the contents of the memory are lost. See also ROM. Electronic disk drive. Data can be stored in the fast electronic memory and is very much faster to access than that stored in a mechanical disk drive. The information is lost when the ma­chine is switched off. A method of storage whereby the average time to find any item of data will be the same irrespective of where the data is stored. These devices are disks. See also linear storage devices The Read System of Coding for the classi­fication of disease and treatments. The heads that read information from, or write information to hard and fioppy disks.

GLOSSARY 176 1 1 L-----------------------------------------------------~

real mode

record

reporting

robot

ROM

ROM-BIOS

root directory

scanner

screen saver

serial

shareware

Shift key

software

speech input

A way of using the computer where programs reside in memory below 1 Mb. See also protected mode. A record is a row in a database table. It rep­resents the set of data held about an individual or event, within the table. The process of obtaining data from a database. See also querying. An output device that moves on the instructions of a computer. Read Only Memory. Part of the computer's memory that holds the instructions required to allow the computer to boot up when switched on. ROM Basic Input/Output System. The program that Ioads the operating system and allows the computer to communicate to the peripherals. The root directory is the top of the directory tree hierarchy. An input device that can be used to scan images that can be input into the computer. A program that becomes operational if the keyboard, or mouse, is not touched for a pre­determined time. The programs either produce moving images on the screen which prevent a stationary image from being burned into the coating on the inside of the screen or turn the screen off. Touching any key will reinstate the original screen. A method of communication between a computer and other peripheral devices. The bits travel as if along a single-lane carriageway, one after the other. See also parallel. Software that is available at very low cost, that the producers are keen for people to use and share. See also freeware. A key that is pressed at the same time as other keys to get the uppercase Ietter, or the upper character where more than one character is printed on the key. The programs that instruct the machine so that it will process data. A type of input where the user can talk to the computer.

L_ ______________________ G_L_o_s_sA __ R_Y ______________________ ~I I 177

spooler

spreadsheet

statistics packages

systembox

system disk

tape

tape streamer

terminal

text

toggle

toolbar

touch screen

A program that queues print tasks. A job sent to a printer is placed in a queue by the spooler until the printer is available. It is a mechanism whereby users can send several files to the printer at the same time. A type of application package that allows the user to manipulate numbers and perform 'what­if' analyses. Application packages that allow the user to perform a variety of different statistical tests on the data. The part of the computer that houses the CPU. For most PCs it will also house the hard disk and floppy disk drives. A floppy disk that contains some of the starting up instructions and DOS commands so that the computer can boot up. These are used on machines that do not have a hard disk. A form of storage device, useful for storing large amounts of data, where it will all be re­quired to be read back into the computer at the same time. As it is a linear storage device it has limited use when used for small amounts of data. A hardware device that allows the contents of a computer's hard disk to be backed up onto tape. A screen and keyboard with no independent processing power. Used to communicate with a remote computer. Also referred to as a dumb terminal. Information or data in the form of alpha­numeric characters. A switch which, when activated, alternates between a number of different conditions each time it is used. A region of the screen used by packages which have a graphical user interface. The toolbar contains a number of icons which can be used as a rapid way of instructing the computer without having to find the appropriate com­mand on the menu system. See WIMP, icon. A type of device where the user can touch the screen to input information.

178 I Ll ____________ a_L_o_s_s_A_R_Y ___________ __J

truth tables A notation to explain the actions of the logical operators AND, OR and NOT in Boolean algebra.

TSR Terminate and Stay Resident. Programs that can be loaded into the memory and remain there, even when not in use.

upper memory blocks (UMB) A way of using reserved (higher or upper) memory, to allow data to be stored, that frees up the (lower) conventional memory.

user-friendly Indicates that a piece of software is easy for novices to leam how to use. It is an often mis­used phrase.

utility A program designed to make use of the computer easier.

validation A method for checking data as it is entered to help ensure its accuracy.

virus A type of program that can replicate itself and infect a machine. At some predetermined signal it can cause a variety of different, often damaging, effects.

W AN Wide area network. A way of linking computers together over very large geograph­ical areas. See also LAN.

wildcards Characters that can be used to replace other characters, Iike jokers in a pack of playing cards.

WIMP Windows, lcons, Mouse, Pulldown menus, the components of the user-friendly graphical user interfaces.

window When using a graphical user interface, a window is part of the computer screen where the functions being performed can be seen. If several different functions are being performed at the same time each will have its own window. The user can jump between the windows. Windows is also the name of an applications package, produced by Microsoft.

word processor A type of applications package that allows the user to manipulate text.

word wrap The automatic production of a new line when typing, the words being automatically moved to the next line. This means that the user does not have to press the carriage retum key as when using a typewriter.

GLOSSARY 1 1 179 ~--------------------------------------------------------~

write protect

WYSIWYG

A means of protecting a floppy disk so that no alterations can be made to the contents: no further data can be written to it. What Y ou See Is What Y ou Get. Applications packages written for the graphical user interfaces often show the text on screen as it will appear on the printed page. This includes both Iayout and character forrnatting.

Index

Page numbers appearing in bold refer to figures and page numbers appearing in italic refer to tables.

8086 chip 14, 27 see also Central processing unit

8088 chip 14, 27 see also Centrat processing unit

80286 chip 14, 30 see also Centrat processing unit

80386 chip 14, 31 see also Centrat processing unit

80486 chip 14, 31 see also Central processing unit

80586 chip, see Pentium chip

Alpha chip 34 see also Centrat processing unit

ALT key 6-7, 66, 165 ALU, see Arithmetic logic unit AND 76-8,76,77, 165

see also Boolean algebra Anti-virus utilities 63

see also Virus Application packages 59-68, 165

see also Databases; Desktop publishers; Software; Spreadsheets; Wordprocessors

Architecture 24 Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) 15, 165

see also Central processing unit Arrow keys, see Cursor keys ASCII 102, 165 Assembly language 24, 165

see also Programming languages Audit 115-23

and accountability 116 benefits of audit 116

clinical audit 115-23 cycle 117-21,118 how to audit 117-23 and management 116, 138 medical audit 115 pilotsturlies 123 planning audit 122 and research 116 setting standards 118, 118 spiral 117, 120 structure 117 topics 117, 121

AUTOEXEC.BAT fi1e 43,45-7, 165 see also DOS commands; Files

Backing store 4, 5, 9-14, 21, 165 disk drive 4, 12, 38, 39 disk heads 9 floppy disk 5, 9, 12-14 hard disk 9-11, 10 kilobyte 11,13, 28 magnetic disk 18 magnetic tape 18, 21 megabyte 11, 13, 27 tape streamer 21 see also Random Access Storage

Backing up 109, 144 Backspace key 7 Barcodes 18, 165

see also Input devices Batch fi1es 47 Batchprocessing 25-6, 166

see also Interactive processing Baud 19, 166

L_ _______________________ I_N_D_E_x ________________________ ~l I 181

Binary 11,36,59,166 see also Binary digit; Boolean algebra

Binary digit 11, 36, 166 see also Binary; Boolean algebra

Bit, see Binary digit Boolean algebra 76-80, 76, 77, 166

AND 76-8,76,77, 165 NOT 76-8, 76, 173 OR 76-8,76,77, 174 truth tables 76, 76, 178 Venn diagrams 77 seealso Binary; Binary digit;

Comparison operators Booting up 15, 38, 166 Bulletinboard 68, 166 Bus 16, 166 Byte 10-11, 166

see also Megabyte; Kilobyte

CAMS, see Computer Aided Medical Systems

CAPS LOCK key 92, 166 Case sensitivity 39 Cells 61,83-8,166

see also Spreadsheets Central processing unit 3, 4, 5, 14-6,

27-34, 166, 173 8086 14,27 8088 14,27 80286 14,30 80386 14, 31 80486 14,31 Alpha chip 34 arithmetic logic unit (ALU) 15, 165 CISC chip 33 control unit 15, 167 Pentium 14, 32 protected mode 30-1, 17 5 real mode 30-1, 176 RISC 33

CD-ROM 21, 166 see also Memory; ROM

Changing disk drive 40 Changing prompt 46

see also Prompt Chip, see Central processing unit CISC chip 33

see also Central processing unit

Clinical audit 115-23 Clinical codes 127-36

classification 127-32 hierarchy 129, 133 local 134 synonyms 129, 132 see also Codes; ICD9; OPCS4; Read

clinical coding Clipboard 93, 105, 166 Codes 69, 124-36, 167

and computers 131 and data entry 125, 127 local 134 unique 134-6 and updating 126-7 see also Clinical codes

Comma-delimited 103 see also Exporting

COMMAND.COM file 29, 38 see also Files

Command line entry 39 Communications hardware 21

see also Communications packages Communications packages 63, 167

see also Communications hardware Compare practice with standards 118,

119 see also Audit

Comparison operators 77 see also Boolean algebra

Computer Aided Medical Systems (CAMS) 128, 129

Computers 167 first generation 24 second generation 24 third generation 24 fourth and fifth generation 25 mainframe 23, 25, 34, 100, 172 microcomputer 3-16,4, 23-35, 100,

172 minicomputer 23, 25, 34, 100, 173 see also Personal computer

CONFIG.SYS file 30, 43-5, 167 see also DOS commands; Files

Context-sensitive 59-60 see also Help

Control unit 15, 167 see also Central processing unit

182 I ~~ __________________ I_ND_E_x __________________ ~ Copy protected 67, 167 CPU, see Central processing unit Cri teria 118

see also Standards CTRL key 6-7,66, 167 Cursor 7, 39, 92, 167 Cursor keys 6, 167

Data automatic entry 85 collection 119, 141, 148 independence 72, 127 security 110, 154-6, 160 transfer 101-6

between different applications 103

between similar applications 101 types 69, 167 validation 72-4, 125-6

Databases 60-1, 69-74, 75-82, 167 and audit 81-2 as black holes 69, 142, 148 columns 60, 70 dataindependence 72,127 data security 110, 154-6, 160 data validation 72-4, 125-6, 178 design 70-4 fie1ds 60, 70, 169 flexible data retrieval 75 indexes 70, 127, 171 key fields 70-2, 73, 125, 171 normalisation 72, 173 querying 60, 75-82, 142, 175 records 60, 70, 176 repeating fields 71, 72 reporting 75, 81, 142, 160 rows 60,70 and spreadsheets 88 tables 60, 70

flat files 72, 143 linking together 80, 172 relational 60, 69-74, 143

ODE, see Dynamic data exchange Default drive 39

see also Floppy disks; Hard disk Delete key (DEL) 7 Desktop publishers 62, 168

see also Application packages

Device drivers 16, 29, 168 see also Printer drivers

Digitisers 17, 168 see also Input devices

Directories 40-2, 168 DIR command 48, 53, 54, 55, 57 directory commands 47-51 file allocation table 42, 169 names 41 parent directory ( .. ) 48-9 in path command 45 root 40,41 tree structure 40, 41 see also DOS commands

Disk drive 5, 5, 9-11, 39, 168 see also Floppy disks; Hard disk

Dongle 67 DOS 28,32,36-58,37,105,108,168

advanced uses of 58 electronic filing 40-2 extemal commands 38 intemal commands 38 and multi-tasking 105 versions 38 see also DOS commands; Operating

systems DOS commands 47-58, 168

directory commands 47-51 change directory (CD) 48-9

CD .. 49 CD\ 49 make directory (MD) 49-50 remove directory (RD) 50-1

file commands 51-5 COPY 52-3 delete (DEL) 52, 53, 54, 55 rename (REN) 53 TYPE 43, 45, 52, 58

other commands 55-8 @ 45 buffers 44 CLS 56 country 44 DATE 56 DIR 48,53,54,55,57 DISKCOPY 56-7 DOSSHELL 57, 168 echo 45

INDEX

DOS commands (contd) files 44 FORMAT 56 keyboard 46 LABEL 56 MORE 58 park 10 path 45 PRINT 55 prompt 46, 175 TIME 56 volume (VOL) 56

parameters 51, 53-4, 17 4 switches 57-8 wildcards 54, 178

Drawing package 60 Drive names 39-40

see also Disk drive Dynamic data exchange (DDE) 107,

110 see also Object linking and embedding

Editing 92, 169 seealso Wordprocessors

Electronic filing 40--2 see also Directories

ENTER/RETURN key 7, 169 Escape (ESC) key 6, 64, 169 Expanded memory 29-30, 169

see also Memory Expertsystems 63, 169 Exporting 81, 169

see also Comma-delimited; Transferring data

Extended memory 30--1, 169 see also Memory

File allocation table (FAT) 42, 169 see also Directories

Files 40,42-7,97-8,169 batch files 47 file allocation table 42, 169 flat files 72, 143 names 42-3, 98 size 98 seealso AUTOEXEC.BAT file;

COMMAND.COM file; CONFIG.SYS; DOS commands

Floppydisks 4, 5, 12-14, 13, 18, 20, 21, 170

3\1, 12-13, 13, 39 5V. 12-13, 13,39 capacity 10, 13 copy protection 67 drive names 39-40 double density 12-13, 13, 168 floppy disk drives 4, 9-12, 168 high density 12-13, 13, 171 read/write heads 10, 12, 175 storing disks 14 system disks 14, 29, 38, 177 write protection 13-14, 179 see also Random access storage; Hard

disks; Backing store Font 61, 62, 94-5, 169 Formatting floppy disks 14, 56, 170

see also Floppy disks Formatting instructions 85-6, 94-5, 170

seealso Spreadsheets; Wordprocessors Formulae 84, 86-7

see also Spreadsheets Freeware 68, 170

see also Shareware; Software copyrights

FUD factor 154 Function keys 6, 59, 64, 170

Games 62, 170 Garhage In Garhage Out (GIGO) 74,

121, 142, 170 Graphical user interface (GUI) 32, 64,

170 GUI desktop 64 seealso User interfaces; Windows;

WIMP; What You See Is What You Get

Graphics packages 62, 170 see also Application packages

Graphing results 75, 81, 88-9 see also Databases; Spreadsheets

Hardcopy 19,170 see also Printers

Hard disk 5, 9-11, 10, 170 see also Default drive; Floppy disks

L~

184 I ,_I _____________ I_N_D_E_x ____________ ____J

Hardware 3-22, 143, 150, 170 see also Input devices; Output devices;

System box Hardware and software compatibility

139 Help 6, 64, 90, 92, 170

seealso Context-sensitive; Function keys

Housekeeping 50, 154--6

ICD9 128, 130, 171 see also Clinical codes

Icons 64, 65, 171 see also Windows; WIMP

Implementing change 118, 120 see also Audit

Importing 96 Indexes 70, 127, 171

see also Databases; Key fields; Unique codes

Input devices 3, 4, 5-8, 16-18, 171 see also Bar codes; Digitisers;

Keyboard; Mouse; Optical character reader; Optical mark reader; Scanners; Speech; Touch screens

INSERT key 93 Insert mode 93

see also Overtype mode Integrated packages 104

see also Applications packages; Sharing data

Interactive processing 25--6, 171 see also Batch processing

J ustified 95, 171 see also Formatting instructions

Keyboard 5--6, 5, 171 normal and enhanced 5--6 see also Input devices

Keyfields 70'-3, 127,171 see also Databases; Indexes

Kilobyte 11, 27, 171 see also Byte; Megabyte

LAN, see Local area network Laptop 6,8,25, 172

see also Computers

Light pen 17, 172 see also Input devices

Linear storage 18, 172 see also Magnetic tape; Random access

storage Linking data 133--4 Local area network 111, 172

see also Wide area network Lower memory 28

see also Memory

Machine code 24, 172 see also Programming languages

Macros 97, 172 Magnetic tape 18, 21, 177

see also Linear storage Mai! merge 97, 172 Mainframe 23, 25, 34, 100, 172

see also Computers Managementinformation 138, 147 Margins 95

see also Formatting instructions Measuring current performance 118,

119 see also Audit

Megabyte 11, 27, 172 seealso Byte; Kilobyte

Memory 15-16,27-32, 172 base memory 28 CD-ROM 21, 166 conventional memory 28, 167 expanded memory 29-30, 169 extended memory 30'-1, 169 lower memory 28 RAM 15-16, 28-9, 64, 97, 106, 144,

175 ROM 15, 28, 38, 176 upper memory 28, 171 upper memory blocks (UMBs) 28,

178 using memory 28 volatile memory 15

Menus 47,64,92,172 see also Pulldown menu

Microcomputer 3-16,4,23-35, 100, 172 see also Computers; Personal computer

Microprocessor, see Central processing unit

L_ _______________________ I_N_D_E_x ________________________ ~l I 185

Minicomputer 23, 25, 34, 100, 173 see also Computers

Modem 21, 109, 173 Monitors 4, 8-9, 173

cathode ray tube (CRT) 8, 166 Colour Graphics Array (CGA) 8-9 Enhanced Graphics Array (EGA) 9 gas plasma 8, 170 liquid crystal display (LCD) 8, 172 Super Video Graphics Array (SVGA)

9 Video Graphics Array (VGA) 9 visual displayterminal (VDT) 5, 8-9 visual display unit (VDU) 5, 8-9,

173 Motherboard 32, 173 Mouse 4,5, 7-8,65-6,173

mouse buttons 64--5 see also Input devices; WIMP

Moving text 61, 93--4 see also W ordprocessors

Multi-media 67, 173 Multi-tasking 32, 100, 104--8, 173

with DOS 105 OS/2 108 systems 106-8 UNIX 33, 151 Windows NT 34 see also Multi-user; Sharing data

Multi-user 100-1, 108-11, 173 systems 108-9 see also Multi-tasking

Networks 63, 111, 173 see also Local area network; Wide area

network NHS Centre for Coding and Classification

128-33 see also Computer Aided Medical

Systems Non-resident programs 62

see also Terminate and Stay Resident Normalisation 72, 173

see also Databases NOT 76-7,77, 173

see also Boolean algebra Notes 84,87

see also Spreadsheets

Numberpad 6 see also Keyboard

NUM LOCK key 92, 173

Object linking and embedding (OLE) 107 see also Dynamic data exchange

OLE, see Object linking and embedding On-line help 6, 60, 64, 90, 92

see also Help OPCS4 128, 130, 174

see also Clinical codes Open systems 151, 173 Operatingsystems 27,36-58, 173

OS/2 33, 37, 108 as a translator 36 Unix 33, 34, 37, 111 Windows NT 34, 37 seealso DOS

Operational Requirements (ORs) 158 Optical character reader 17, 17 4

see also Optical mark reader Optical mark reader 17, 174

see also Optical character reader OR 76-7,76, 174

see also Boolean algebra Outcome 117

see also Audit Outputdevices 3,4,8-9,19-21,174

see also Monitors; Plotters; Printers Overtype mode 93

see also Insert mode

Page format 95 see also Formatting instructions

Page frames 30 see also Expanded memory

Paragraph formatting 95 see also W ordprocessors

Parallel communications 19, 17 4 see also Serial communications

Parameters 51,53--4, 174 see also DOS commands

Parsing 1 02, 17 4 PAS, see Patientadministrationsystem Passwords 110

see also Data security Paste 93--4, 103

see also W ordprocessors

186 J ~~ __________________ m __ DE_x __________________ ~

Patientadministrationsystem (PAS) 151, 157, 160

PC, see Personal computer Pentium chip 14, 32

see also Central processing unit Personalcomputer (PC) 3-16,4,23-35,

100, 174 origins 23-35 nenworks 111,150 see also Computers; Microcomputer

Pictures 85-6, 174 see also Databases; Spreadsheets

Pixels 8, 174 Plotters 20, 174

see also Output devices Pointer 65-6, 174

see also Mouse; WIMP Ports 16, 174 Printers 19-20, 174

impact printers 19-20 daisy wheel 20, 167 dot matrix 19, 168 line 20, 172

memory 19 non-impact printers 20

inkjet 20, 171 Iaser 20, 172

printerdrivers 19, 89, 98, 107 spooler 19

Print preview 98 seealso Wordprocessors

Printerdrivers 19, 89, 98, 107 see also Device drivers

Process 117 see also Audit

Programming languages 24 see also Assembly language; Machine

code Prompt 39-40, 46, 175

see also DOS commands Proteeted mode 30-l, 175

see also Central processing unit; Realmode

Pulldown menus 66, 175 see also Menus; WIMP

Punched cards 16, 175 see also Input devices

Queries 60, 75-82, 175 databases 75-82, 142 numeric 80-1 querylanguage 75,142 see also Boolean algebra; Databases

RAM 15-16, 28-9, 64, 97, 106, 144, 175

see also Memory Random Access Storage 18, 175

see also Backing store; Floppy disks; Linear storage

RCC, see Read clinical coding Read clinical coding (RCC) 128-30,

130, 175 chapters 131 and computers 131 hierarchies 129, 133 problems 132-3 synonyms 129, 131-3 see also Clinical codes

Read/write heads 10, 12, 175 see also Floppy disks; Hard disk

Realmode 30-1,176 see also Centrat processing unit;

Proteeted mode Records 60, 70, 176

see also Databases Re1ational databases 60,69-74, 143

see also Databases Repeating fields 71-2

see also Databases Reporting 75,81,176

see also Databases RISC chip 33

see also Central processing unit Robot 20, 176

see also Output devices ROM 15, 28, 38, 176

see also Memory; RAM ROM BIOS 28, 176 Root directory 40, 41, 176

see also Directories

Saving 15, 97 Scanners 17

see also Input devices

L_ _______________________ I_N_D_E_x ________________________ ~l I 187

Screen saver 8-9, 176 Screens, see Monitors Scrolling 83 Serial communications 19, 176

see also Parallel communications Search and replace 94

see also W ordprocessors Sectors 10, 11, 13

see also Floppy disks; Hard disk Setting standards 118, 118

see also Audit Shareware 68, 176

see also Freeware; Software copyrights

Sharing data 101-6 dynamic data 110 static data 101, 109 seealso Multi-tasking; Multi-user

Shift key 7, 176 Siting equipment 153 Software 59-68, 143, 149-50, 160,

176 see also Application packages

Software copyrights 67 see also Freeware; Shareware

Software support 144 Spacebar 7 Speech 18,20,176

see also Input devices; Output devices Spelling checks 96

see also W ordprocessors Spooler 19

see also Printers Spreadsheets 61, 83-90, 177

address 84 cells 61,83,166 columns 61, 83 and databases 88 disadvantages 89-90 format instructions 84-5 formulae 84, 86-7 graphing 88 notes 84 pictures 85, 174 printing 88 rows 61, 83 'what-if' analysis 61, 87-8

Stack 93 see also Clipboard

Standards 118 see also Criteria

Statistics packages 62, 177 see also Application packages

Storing disks 14 see also Floppy disks

S tructure 11 7 see also Audit

Switches 57 see also DOS commands

Synonyms 129, 132 see also Clinical codes

System box 4, 5, 14, 177 see also Hardware

System development 137-61 !arge projects 145-57 small projects 140-5 very !arge projects 157-61

Systems disk 14, 29, 38, 177 see also Booting up

Tab key 6 Tables 60, 70

see also Databases Tape, see Magnetic tape Tape streamer 21, 177

see also Backing store Terminal emulation 111 Terminal and Stay Resident (TSR) 29,

62, 105, 178 see also Non-resident programs

Text 61, 92, 177 alignment 96 editing 92 formatting 61,94-5 scrolling 57 seealso Wordprocessors

Thesaurus 96 see also W ordprocessors

Toggle 92, 177 Touch screens 17, 177

see also Input devices Tracks 10,11,13

see also Floppy disks; Hard disk Training 145, 154, 160

188 I ~~ ___________________ IN_D_E_x __________________ ~

Transferring data 101--6 between different app1ications 103 between similar app1ications 101 see also Exporting

Tree structure 40, 41 see also Directories

Truth tab1es 76, 76, 178 see also Boo1ean a1gebra

TSR, see Terminate and Stay Resident

UMBs, see Upper memory b1ocks Undo 93 Unique codes 124--5

see also Indexes; Key fie1ds Unique patient identifier 136 Unix 33, 34, 37, 111, 151

see also Open systems; Operating systems

Upper memory b1ocks (UMBs) 28, 178 see also Memory

Userinterfaces 64, 67 see also Graphical user interface

Utilities 62-3, 178

Validation 72-4, 125--6, 178 see also Databases

VDT, see Monitors VDU, see Monitors Videocard 9 Virus 63, 178

see also Anti-virus utilities Vo1atile memory 15

see also Memory; RAM

WAN, see Wide area network 'What-if analysis 61, 87

see also Spreadsheets What You See Is What You Get

(WYSIWYG) 66, 91, 179 see also WIMP

Wide area network 111, 178 see also Local area network

Wildcards 54--5, 178 Asterisk (*) 54--5 Question mark (?) 54 see also DOS commands

WIMP 65-7, 178 lcons 64--5, 171 Mouse 65--6, 173 Pulldown menus 66, 175 Windows 65, 178 see also Graphica1 user interface

Windows 33, 36, 64--5, 106-8 desktop 106-7 mu1ti-tasking 106 sharing resources 107-8 see also Graphical user interface

Wordprocessors 61,91-9, 178 b1ock commands 93-4 copy 93-4 cut 93, 103 de1ete 93 disadvantages 99 editing 61, 92 formatting 61, 94--5

characters 94--5 page 95 paragraph 95 text alignment 96

insert 92-3 mail merge 97 move 93 paste 93-4, 103 search and rep1ace 94 spelling check 96 text 61, 92 thesaurus 96 see also Applications packages

Word wrap 92, 178 Write protecting disks 13-14, 179

see also Floppy disks WYSIWYG, see What You See is What

YouGet