Harnessing The Power Of Mobile Healthcare Informatics

By JD Helm, RN and Clinical Informatics Analyst, United Regional Health Care System

A first-hand look inside United Regional Health Care System's successful implementation of mobile informatics carts for EMR access and medication administration.

United Regional Health Care System, a 350-bed hospital in Wichita Falls, Texas, is recognized for using advanced technology to enhance the quality of patient care. Among other services, we offer a hybrid endovascular suite, intravascular ultrasound, computerized surgical navigation system for total joint replacements and a da Vinci surgical robot. Electronic medical records (EMR), computerized provider order entry (CPOE), knowledge-based medication administration and knowledge-based charting have been implemented. Family and friends can even utilize the website to send e-cards to patients. When the time came to decide whether or not to implement mobile informatics carts, or as we call them, PODS (Patient-Oriented Data Systems), on nursing units, it was a no-brainer.

BEFORE PODS
Four years ago, our nurses used traditional paper charts filed in a rack at the nursing station. It wasn't a perfect system, and the repeated trips from the central repository to each room to update charts were time-consuming. In addition, there was no mechanism to verify specimen collection or medication administration at the bedside. A typical nursing station had five to seven desktop computers, but as electronic test results, nursing documents and physicians' orders became the norm, it was clear we needed more access to computerized data.

In line with our technology-friendly reputation, we decided to evaluate mobile computing carts that could bring data access to the bedside. A multidisciplinary team — nursing, information technology (IT), lab and pharmacy representatives — collaborated to research products and evaluate safety and ergonomic issues. After about six months we narrowed it down to a handful of contenders, but most failed to meet some basic and important safety requirements. For example, some carts had sharp edges, and others had retractable cords — a distinct infection hazard. Even more, it seemed, hadn't been designed for a clinical environment. Access This Content To Read This Article In Its Entirety.