Wireless World Mobile Computing in Healthcare (Frank J. Fortner / Iatric Systems)

1. Wireless WorldMobile Computing in Healthcare(Frank J. Fortner / Iatric Systems)

2. ObjectiveUnderstand current technologies, trends and philosophies driving the healthcare industry to become an increasingly more mobile landscape.

3. Consider The Following… • 5.5% of IT budgets were devoted to wireless applications in 2004 (Forrester – 2004) • Healthcare industry to spend $7B in wireless technology by 2010 (Focal Point Group – 2004) • 80% of hospitals surveyed have or plan to launch a wireless solution (IDC – 2004) • 79% of hospitals surveyed plan to deploy wireless solutions in 2005 (HIMSS – 2005)

4. Driving Forces • Reduction of Operating Costs • Reduction of Medical Errors • Good Buddies - Physicians & PDAs • FDA Bar Code Ruling (Feb 2004) • JCAHO 2005 National Patient Safety Goals • Advances in Mobile/Wireless Technology • Increasing number of tech-savvy workers

5. Wireless World Topics • Moving to the Bedside • Technology Increasingly Mobile • Examples of Mobile Solutions • Mobile Hardware & Barcoding at POA • Wireless Network Security • Future Technologies • Things to Consider…

6. Moving to the Bedside • Point-of-care technology (bedside) is becoming increasingly mission critical • Siemens study finds 97% of health care leaders believe IT will improve care • 85% said IT is crucial in improving the process of treating and handling patients • 50% of medical professionals say mobile computers reduce their errors (Skyscape – 2004)

7. Moving to the Bedside • Bedside computing gives caregivers a final safety net. One last error prevention point. • Scanning barcode on patient wristbands ensures positive patient id • Scanning barcode on medications allows checking of 5-rights • Scanning barcode specimen labels ensures the right label is put on a specimen tube

8. Technology Increasingly Mobile • Wireless LAN Technology (up to 54Mbps) • Short range: Bluetooth gaining momentum • Cellular WAN data syncing (14-700Kbps) • Broadband “aircards” for laptops, PDAs • Devices (laptops, PDAs) are shipping with 802.11 wireless built-in (no need for cards) • Smart Phone PDAs with Windows Mobile

10. Examples of Mobile Solutions • Clinical Result Reporting • Clinical Result Documentation • Medication Verification / Scanning Meds • CPOE • Phlebotomy / Specimen Collection • Charge Capture & Materials Management • e-Prescribing

11. Examples of Mobile Hardware • Tablet PCs • Wireless on Wheels (WOW!!) • Handhelds • SmartPhones • Barcode Scanners • Mobile Printers

12. Wireless on Wheels (WOW) • Roll to bedside in cart form • Fully equipped; full functionality • Barcode scanners attached (or wireless) • Room for extras such as a printer on cart • Full keyboard for typing documentation • Allows full access to Meditech routines such as document medications

13. Tablet PC • 90% of Nurses are reluctant to use tablets • Some docs use them for daily clinical work • Cite size, weight and battery life as issues • Weight, size, durability, battery life • Input is much more difficult than WOW • Not practical for “hands” on care giving • Tendency to get very hot! (Above figures via Spyglass Consulting – reported in iHealthBeat

14. Handhelds • Palm now shipping on Windows Mobile • Palm O.S. vs. PocketPC • Microsoft has won the enterprise (again) • Symbol makes great choice at bedside • Built-in WiFi, integrated barcode scanner • Future PDA apps will use more Microsoft dev tools such as. Net compact framework

15. SmartPhones • Power of PDA + email, txt msg, internet • Integrated, all-in-one device • Ability to connect / sync data via cellular • Run “thick” or “thin” client applications • Ability to auto-switch from cellular to WLAN

16. Mobile Printers • Ability to print barcode labels on the fly • 802.11x • Improves specimen collection on the floors • Eliminates need to print ahead of time • Gives flexibility to combine or print extra labels

17. Barcoding at Point of Administration • Medication Administration / 5 Rights • Positive Patient ID (#1 goal JCAHO) • Specimen Collection & Verification • Charge capture of patient issue items • Best solutions are WOW and Handheld • Barcode readers come in both wired and wireless (Bluetooth) flavors.

18. Wireless Network Security • Available security tools and protocols • Security is the first order of business • WEP • EAP, LEAP, PEAP, EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS... • Making the right decision • Solutions must be compatible

19. Future Technology & Predictions • 802.11n (100Mbps) at 300 feet • RFID may become prevalent in healthcare • Increase in usage of 2D Barcodes • Internal VOIP apps. for Phones / PDAs • Handhelds approaching PC power • POA software commonplace by 2010

20. Things to Consider… • Understand the hardware limitations Includes: durability, battery life, processor • How will data be send to mobile device? Includes: real-time, dock/sync, wireless sync • Future migration path; how will it evolve? • Effects on current processes; good fit? • Identify special networking needs early

21. Questions??

22. THANK YOU!!!!