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Hardwired PCs
These are personal computers (PC) that have to be located at a
permanent location. There are mainly two types of computers in this category –
the desktop PC and the workstation. The workstation is actually a desktop PC
but it is used for applications that require a moderate amount of computing
power, thus needs to have a more powerful processor and more memory that the
average desktop PC. In terms of computing power the high-end workstations are
equivalent to the low-end minicomputers.
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Although PCs are designed to be used as a single user system,
it is possible top link a number of PCs together to form a network. It is also
possible to connect the PCs to networks that are managed by the larger
computers (mainframes and minicomputers). Hardwired computer connect to
networks using a dedicated network cable via a hub or switch. When connected to
the network, hardwired devices are generally referred to as workstations.
Hardwired PCs are commonplace in almost all aspects of
healthcare computing. They are used from the front desk through the clinical
laboratories to the physician’s desk. They run applications that schedule
appointments, access patient records, prepare billing information and much
more.
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Last Updated: 10 August 2006.