Computer applications in quality assurance

The computer is rapidly becoming an essential tool for the physician. Proper use of computers in practice will help physicians achieve both higher levels of quality and greater consistency in patient care. Only with computers can physicians rapidly access and process all the data now needed to best address the needs of their patients. As computer use in practice becomes the standard, the inability to use these tools will be incompatible with quality care. The computer is rapidly becoming essential to modern medical management strategies that demand efficiency, accuracy, and cost effectiveness in response to patient demands for assurance that quality care is being delivered.