What uses are these devices being put to?

Amanda Chiplock MLS, the Acquisitions Emerging Technologies Librarian at the Nova Southeastern University Health Professions Division Library reported that most of the physicians who borrow their iPads are using them for teaching and presentations (45%) or videos and research (40%) [from iMedicalApps post].

Doctors and other patrons who check out these devices can install their own software selections, and retain access to those apps for use via their account at the iTunes Store, should they decide to purchase an iPad for themselves. Challenges arise when using these devices to access institutional electronic medical records (EMR), but they are not insurmoutable. Upon return to the library, these devices are easily wiped and reset back to their basic configuration for the next patron.

As noted in an earlier post, the Eccles Health Sciences Library also has a mobile device check-out program, providing patrons the option of test-driving any of the following eReaders and tablets before purchasing one for themselves:

• Apple’s iPad (3 available)
• Motorola Xoom (3 available)
• Amazon Kindle (6 available)
• Barnes and Noble Nook (3 “1st Edition” and 3 color)

The check-out period is two weeks (as of this writing), and upon check-in, patrons are asked to complete a brief survey on how the device was used, etc.

Have you checked out an iPad, eReader or other mobile computing device from Eccles Library or another library? What device did you check out, and how did you use it? What did you like and dislike about it? Tell us!

Recently, physicians at the University of Chicago published a research letter in the Archives of Internal Medicine detailing their experience with the routine use of iPads by internal medicine residents during their regular duties.

What they documented was that use of the mobile device was objectively associated with faster order entry after patient admission and the subjective assessment that it saves up to one hour per day for each resident.

Prior to initiating the program, investigators wisely met with hospital IT to determine their concerns and set up rules for usage of the devices. After initially having residents individually install apps via their own iTunes accounts, it was decided to work through a third-party vendor to standardize the devices — in this case, working with a company called Mobile Iron. Additional security protections included an eight-digit alphanumeric screen lock code (instead of the standard four-digit numeric code), and setting the iPads to automatically erase themselves after five unsuccessful attempts to log-in.

A great deal of interest has been generated since the research letter was published, and the authors plan to share what they’ve learned at conferences and workshops. In addition, the local ABC Television station did a segment on this event, which you can see below.

Have you used an iPad or other tablet computer in a medical setting? How did it work for you? Tell us about it!

The horse is out of the barn folks, now let’s see which hospital IT departments evolve and which ones don’t. Technology has forced many professions to evolve, including the ones born of technology.

Have you used mobile technology in a medical setting? What device(s) do you use? What challenges have you faced in terms of security concerns by your institution’s IT department? Tell us about it!