Physicians Take Up Treo 680's To Improve Productivity

Jupiter Medical Center chose a joint wireless solution from AT&T Inc. and Palm to deliver McKesson's Horizon MobileCare Rounding solution. The combination of these technologies enhance Jupiter Medical Center physicians' access to patient information by allowing them to pull the most current data - in or outside the hospital - to support more informed decision-making and improved workflow.

Since 2005, Jupiter Medical Center physicians have used McKesson's mobile decision-support software solution to wirelessly access patient data, such as charts, lab results and medications. Physicians are now in the process of testing one of Palm's latest products -- the Palm Treo 680 -- to take advantage of its smaller form factor, lower price point and additional memory to extend their ability to get patient information remotely.

Barry Miskin, M.D., general surgeon, says, "With the Treo 680 smart device, my time is used more efficiently at the hospital. I can look up patient information before performing surgery, and if there is a discrepancy, have it addressed immediately. The Treo 680 has met and exceeded all my expectations. I was a skeptic at first, but now I can't imagine performing my day-to-day tasks without it. I find that I work more efficiently because I can view all of my patients' data even before I arrive at the hospital."

Jupiter Medical Center turned to mobile technology to provide its physicians with a way to gain faster access to patient information to reduce medical errors and enhance the quality of patient care. With AT&T's nationwide wireless data network and industry-best international roaming capabilities, Treo smart devices running McKesson's Horizon Mobile Care Rounding solution gives physicians access to vital information that enhances efficiency and productivity, whether they are within the hospital campus, on the other side of town, across the country or halfway around the world.

Also on Jupiter Medical Center's medical staff, Juan Sanchez, M.D., hematologist/oncologist, notes, "Now I can spend more time with my hospital patients because I can view their charts and write notes while I'm in their rooms."

Kelli Auletta, senior systems analyst at the hospital, believes that every physician should use the joint solution at Jupiter Medical Center. With it, they can take advantage of the hospital's infrared, WAN and wireless connections, ensuring that critical information is always at their fingertips wherever they are - inside or out.

"Patients are really impressed that I have ready access to their latest health information via Horizon MobileCare Rounding running on my Treo smart device. It has really improved my effectiveness," said J. Peter Lawler, M.D., internal medicine. "It has eliminated the hunt for an available computer to look up patient information. I have less stress."

Jupiter Medical Center's adoption of a wireless solution for its medical staff is in keeping with its history as a technologically savvy organization. Since 1979, Jupiter Medical Center has been at the forefront of medical innovation, evidenced by its range of clinical expertise and specialty services. Jupiter Medical Center's commitment to adopting technological advances is evident on many fronts. It is often the first facility in its area to offer clinical trials, advanced diagnostic imaging, minimally invasive surgical procedures, and patient-care enhancements, and it boasts the county's first "operating room of the future," an all-digital surgical suite.

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Security?

potter @ 4/2/2007 2:56:07 PM # Q
* What kind of security measures do they have on the Treo that would prevent someone other than the intended doctor for accessing PHI (Patient Health Information) from the Treo? e.g. The Treo is lost or stollen.

* Did they remember to defend the various caches?

* What kind of security measures do they have on the server that would prevent someone else using a Treo or other device from accessing PHI directly? e.g. Defense against Hacking.

RE: Security?
hkklife @ 4/2/2007 5:55:16 PM # Q
Also, aren't there certain strict HIPAA regarulations in effect in regards to (using the term loosely) PDAs used in the healthcare field?

For one, doesn't all information have to be accessed via a network and/or stored internally in the device and not on external/removable storage media?

Are Palm OS devices still holding up strong in the healthcare world like they were a few years ago? Last time I asked around, there were numerous doctors & nurses using (usually) T|C or T|T3 era devices...

Pilot 1000-->Pilot 5000-->PalmPilot Pro-->IIIe-->Vx-->m505-->T|T-->T|T2-->T|C-->T|T3-->T|T5-->TX-->Treo 700P

RE: Security?
jgilfor @ 4/3/2007 7:49:44 AM # Q
No, HIPAA does not restrict the storage of personally identifiable patient information on external/removable media; it merely requires strict control of said information. As long as data are encrypted and nothing is printed out and left lying around, HIPAA has not been violated.
__________________
Jeff Gilfor, M.D.
Department of Anesthesiology
Albert Einstein Medical Center
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WiFi

buckeyetex315 @ 4/3/2007 2:16:01 PM # Q

With it, they can take advantage of the hospital's infrared, WAN and wireless connections, ensuring that critical information is always at their fingertips wherever they are - inside or out.

Too bad those docs are stuck using AT&T's data connection instead of WiFi. Most hospitals have excellent internal WiFi infrastructures these days and yet discourage "cellphone" usage. Guess the docs are exempt from that rule!?!

Brent


RE: WiFi
Tuckermaclain @ 4/6/2007 9:45:45 PM # Q
WiFi is great while you're in the hospital. I can access the entire electronic charts for inpatients through the hospital's software. Much faster than using the phone. The problem is when you are on call and not in-house and you have to access something. Then Cingular, Sprint, etc become valuable. BTW-never heard of a cellphone interfering with anything.

RE: WiFi
vetdoctor @ 4/7/2007 8:53:26 PM # Q
"BTW-never heard of a cellphone interfering with anything."

Fairfax Hospital VA has the large sign in front saying to turn off cell phones. Most doctors offices have signs saying, " due to sensitive medical equipment please turn your cell phones off".

The last time I overnighted at the hospital none of the staff minded my phone.

Maybe their coffee pots are shielded from the phones now.

Brainiac

RE: WiFi
SeldomVisitor @ 4/8/2007 7:23:27 AM # Q
The Fear has been quashed:

== "Calls made on cellular phones have no negative impact on
== hospital medical devices, dispelling the long-held notion
== that they are unsafe to use in health care facilities,
== according to Mayo Clinic researchers..."

-- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070308220442.htm

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