Computers bringing vital changes, savings to hospitals. (automation of hospitals in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) (Special Report: High Technology)

Automation means effective use of personnel and less duplication

PITTSBURGH -- There is a unit at West Penn Hospital where, strangely enough, patients go through the admission process after they enter their rooms. It reduces the number of personnel a patient interacts with and allows nursing personnel to spend more of their time attending to patients' needs.

On top of all that, the hospital claims the new system cuts total operating costs.

The operation of the 49-bed unit, which employs a concept known as patient-focused care, is made possible to a great extent by the use of computers to document patient information and issue orders for lab work.

At hospitals throughout the Pittsburgh area, monitors, computers, keyboards and touch-sensitive screens are …