Healthcare IT and Networking Flashcards

What is a PACS system used for in a hospital?

Answer: Storing, retrieving, and distributing medical images electronically

PACS stores, retrieves, distributes, and displays medical images from modalities such as X-ray, CT, MRI, and ultrasound.

Which wireless standard is most commonly used for medical device connectivity in hospitals today?

Answer: Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11)

Wi-Fi is the dominant wireless standard for medical device connectivity in hospitals, providing sufficient bandwidth, range, and infrastructure support.

What is the function of a network firewall between the medical device network and the hospital's general network?

Answer: To control and filter network traffic based on security rules

A firewall controls and filters network traffic between segments based on security rules, protecting medical devices from unauthorized access.

What does the term 'interoperability' mean in the context of healthcare IT and medical devices?

Answer: The ability of different systems and devices to exchange and use information seamlessly

Interoperability refers to the ability of different healthcare systems and devices to communicate, exchange data, and use the information effectively.

Why is static IP addressing often preferred over DHCP for critical medical devices on a hospital network?

Answer: Static IPs ensure the device always has the same address, preventing communication failures if DHCP is unavailable

Static IP addresses ensure critical medical devices always have a predictable, consistent network address.

What is the IHE (Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise) initiative's primary goal?

Answer: Improving how healthcare information systems share information using established standards

IHE improves interoperability by defining integration profiles that describe how standards like HL7 and DICOM should be used.