POINT OF CARE TECHNOLOGY

Instant Information Equals Patient Safety

ByWilliam J. Dennis

Objectives: To understand what Point of Care

Technology is. To understand how it is implemented. To understand what the benefits of it are. To understand why it is beneficial for the

patient.

Point of Care Technology: Utilizing wireless networks, software and

hardware to allow access to information, charting, medicine administration to accurately and safely provide care to patients in hospitals, nursing homes and other health care settings.

Point of Care Technology What is POCT? Where would it be useful? Why would it? When is it going to happen? How?

POCT??

No, that is P O T C

You can groan now if you’d like

Point of Care Technology is:

Instant Convenient Wireless, yet connected Safety for the patient

Instant because… The speed of new processors greatly

reduces search time. A few clicks and you have the information

you need. It is always at hand.

Convenient because… It is already where the patient is. It is portable. It is readily accessible

Wireless because… It allows nurses and physicians to take

the information where it needs to be. It allows for more information in less

space and or weight. (Carry 10 charts or 1 PDA?)

It allows access to the worlds largest library and information source… the WEB

Safe because… The questions and data concerning the

patient can be addressed at the time without leaving the room to look it up.

Less apt to “slip your mind” Charting can be done at bedside while

you are doing care.

What Equipment? PDAs Lap Top PCs Mobile Desk Top PCs Wireless Routers Notebook PCs

PDA

PDA Devices Hand held Multi-task capable Not just a phone Internet ready A pocket sized PC

PDA Devices Check labs or diagnostics from electronic

chart Call in a consult Send critical data And all from beside the patients bed

PDA Software MobileNurse: Hand-held information

system Four Modules: Patient Information Management Medical Order Check Nursing Recording Nursing Care Plan

MobileNurse Provides easy input interface and various

outputs for Nursing records Uses PDAs and Mobile Support System Check orders and view diagnostics at

bedside Easy to use

Problems? Connectivity? Not always Virus? What happens when your PDA gets

“sick”? Not uniform “Apple vs. PC” System crash, can you recover? Batteries vs. power cord Portability: What happens when someone

walks off with it?

And more problems? Outdated? Is the product worth the price you pay? Does it really work? REALLY?

Problems addressed More coverage with transmitter/receivers

limits dead areas especially in buildings Anti-virus software and user responsibility

– stay away from virus prone sites Pick a system that works and stay with it.

Look for universal compatibility. As the shirt says, “Jesus saves…after

each level”. Backups are a must and separate from main system.

Batteries are getting MUCH better.

Problems addressed again Keep your eyes on the prize! Be aware of

where your toys are and put them away when you are done.

Outdated yes; still works definitely! A ‘68 Mustang will get you there and just as fast as a new one if properly maintained.

Buy just what you need, not the bells and whistles you will never use.

If used properly, the system does work and does make it safer for the patient.

Advantages: Portable: Easy to have with you at all times Fast: Information instantly at your finger tips. Safety checks: Bar code scanner. Scan the

patient get the CORRECT chart. Safety checks: Instant updates on patient info. Safety checks: Complete patient PMH available

at time of decision making for future treatment.

Reliable: New technology is better than ever. User friendly: Software designed to do what

you do by those that do it.

More Advantages One big happy family: Use the same

equipment system wide. Point and click: Technology a two year old

can operate. Did I mention safety? Helps reduce

common mistakes that risk patient safety. Phenomenal cosmic power…itty bitty

living space!

Disadvantages: Portable: A LOT of sensitive information

that can fit in the pocket of those that would misuse it.

Lack of interest in change: The biggest drawback to utilizing “new “ things.

Fragile: OOPS! “bang” it’s broken. Redundant apps: How many ways can

you do the same thing? Dead batteries General mistrust of “Big Brother”

Ethical/Legal: Is it Ethical? Doing something to help and

increase the level of safety and improving quality of care? Yeah it is ethical

Legal? All information obtained and utilized is gained through consent of the patient. Same as before, the only thing new is the packaging.

The main legal problem is keeping patient information secure and private.

Competencies: Just keep up with the updates and

improvements. Using it everyday will keep you current.

Summary: Point of Care Technology is the trend of

the future. Just as a Carpenter went from the hammer to the nail gun to put things together faster, so should we. It provides accurate information about the patient faster than before. More and better information sooner, allows us to treat and care for patients in a better way and increases their safety level because of it.