Improving Patient Health Outcomes in Acute Care Hospital Settings Using Mobile Wireless

Technology and Handheld Computers

Research TeamMaureen Farrell, Ian McGrath, Margaret D’Arcy,

Irwyn Shepherd

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Hand held computers (PDAs)• PDAs are emerging as

technologies that can improve patient safely and quality of care

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Advantages PortableIntegrated platform for point-of care clinical reference, patient

management and data communication

Clinical reference programs obtained from Internet and guidelines

Patient management programs allow healthcare professionals to access and store clinical information

Rapid exchange of clinical laboratory results and “efficient patient handovers” through wireless technology

• Point-of-care data collection to enhance quality assessment and outcomes in healthcare organisations

• Patient education and interaction to prevent and manage diseases such as obesity, diabetes, asthma or urticaria.

• Data collection and processing in research

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Disadvantages• The advantages of PDAs fare outweigh the disadvantages however

there are certain aspects institutions must be aware of when implementing mobile technologies. These include security, patient confidentiality and different system interfaces. Other limitations of PDAs include an inability to handle large graphics programs and complete electronic medical records (Fischer, et al. 2003). White et.al. (2005) identifies the need for acceptance and consistency of use as a potential challenge when utilising PDAs in nursing education.

•  • The cost of the devices and initial training are significant

disadvantages that may act as barriers to implementation of the devices into new areas (Lehman 2003). In addition, the relatively small size of handheld computers means they can be easily lost or stolen (Lehman 2003). Another significant disadvantage of PDAs is the short life expectancy due to rapid technological development (Eastes 2004). Most devices will be obsolete within a two to three year time frame as new technology is released onto the market. PDAs should not be considered as a replacement for the desktop computer, rather they should complement existing hardware and software (Huffstutler, Wyatt et al. 2002).

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Project Outline• Investigate the use of wireless technology and

PDAs by nurses in three acute care units– Southern Health – Royal Women’s Hospital

• Aims– Impact of the use of PDAs in improving patient

outcomes– How nurses have embraced using the new devices– Difficulties nurses have encountered

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Research Questions

• Does the use of wireless PDAs provide point of care information and decision support systems for nurses?

• Does the use of wireless PDAs assist the nurses in detecting or preventing adverse events?

• What factors influence implementation of the wireless PDAs by nurse in the Clinical units?

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Methods• Quantitative

– Quasi-experiment non –equivalent control group design

– Data will be extracted from patient satisfaction and critical incident databases Kat obtain these from the original document

• Qualitative– Focus group discussions

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Progress to date• Research assistant employed

• Wireless selected

• Wards selected– RWH Oncology ward– Southern Health

• ICU Dandenong• Medical Surgical Nursing