Collaboration between the IT department and clinical staff can provide the momentum to make it over the hurdles of adoption and implementation of the newest mobile computer available.
Collaboration between the IT department and clinical staff can provide the momentum to make it over the hurdles of adoption and implementation of the newest mobile computer available. Collaboration in health care is defined as health care professionals assuming complementary roles and cooperatively working together, sharing responsibility for problem-solving and making decisions to formulate and carry out plans for patient care.1, 2 This collaboration begins with
The embracing of mobile computers in the clinician’s workflow can present challenges, even though a recent LinkedIn survey of more than 600 nurses found 82 percent believe new technology will impact patient care by helping improve processes and reduce errors.
A mobile device combines both communication and computing characteristics, which can be held in hand or stored in a pocket, allowing easy access and use at the point of care3. Its rapidly expanding features and growing list of software applications (apps) have become deeply integrated into nearly every aspect of clinical practice, including communication between providers and patients, medical education tools, health record access, clinical decision making, and patient monitoring4,5.
How to get the most out of your device evaluation period:
(1) Hardware: The limitations inherent to the clinical environment forces one to choose the mobile device that will best balance, portability, features, and the placement of features, and construction material capable of withstanding healthcare disinfection routines. Putting the mobile computer in the hands of the clinicians during the eval period will exponentially increase ease of adoption.
(2) Communication: the linking of the mobile application with any existing clinical information systems (CIS) is facilitated by a means of connection that ensures the information is formatted appropriately. Working with your Subject Matter Expert (SME) partner during the evaluation period will provide the needed confidence in the connectivity of the device, and the compatibility with the unique system and workflow of the hospital. This is imperative as the “go live” day approaches.
(3) Dependability: doctors, nurses, phlebotomists, and pharmacists will rely on these mobile computers to do their jobs. They confirm patient identity by scanning wristbands prior to lab work. They retrieve and update patient records in the EHR. They collaborate with colleagues and participate in real-time clinical support, receive calls and alerts, receive radiology and lab results...all on one device that they carry in their pocket. I think you can imagine the amount of trust placed on the dependability of the device. From battery life to the functionality of the built-in scanner… use this time to test functionality and dependability. Put it in the hands of every team member. This is the time for IT and practitioner alike to put the device through its paces.
1. Fagin CM. Collaboration between nurses and physicians: no longer a choice. Nurs Health Care. 1992;13(7):354–62.
2. Baggs JG, Schmitt MH. Collaboration between nurses and physicians. Image: J Nurs Scholarsh. 1988;20:145–9. [PubMed]
3. Mosa, A. S. M., Yoo, I. & Sheets, L. A systematic review of healthcare applications for smartphones. BMC Med. Inform. Decis. Mak. 12, 67 (2012).
4. Ventola, C. L. Mobile devices and apps for health care professionals: Uses and benefits. Pharm. Ther. 39, 356 (2014).
5. Angarita, F. A., Strickland, M. & Acuna, S. A. Incorporating smartphones into clinical practice. Ann. Med. Surg. 4, 187 (2015).