Physicians are very busy in any healthcare setting. They go from room to room without a moment to spare. Patients can end up waiting for hours. How much of a relief would it be if they had a piece of technology that could save one hour per day amidst the chaos? Tablet PCs do that and so much more!
Electronic Medical Records (EMR) can be easily and quickly accessed with Tablet PCs. An electronic solution for physicians' patient charts is now right at their fingertips, and the palm of their hands. Best of all, the benefits far outweigh the costs of using Tablet PCs for EMR.
Read on to find out the functions and benefits of using medical-grade tablets with your EMR.
Tablet PCs are Small and Portable
Tablet PCs are light and easy to carry around. When physicians are on the run, they can simply grab the tablet and get going. Some will fit perfectly into the pocket of a lab coat. Tablet PCs come equipped with built-in wireless networking. A Tablet PC that is connected to a wireless network can send or receive data from the EMR software in real time. In a physician office setting, the wireless network is heavily used so it is very important to pick a Tablet PC with good wireless capabilities.
Tablet PCs Have a Stylus Digitizer Pen
Tablet PCs are an all-in-one solution. They even provide a way to write your signature! Signatures that are as detailed as handwritten text are captured digitally with a special pen. Physicians can quickly and easily sign for prescriptions and other important documents on the go. In addition, handwriting can be converted into text to make documentation and note taking easy and very convenient.
Tablet PCs Provide Barcode Scanning
In hospitals, the safest way to administer medication to a patient is with barcode scanning. Ensuring the right medication is being given to the right patient and at the right time should be the goal of any hospital. One medical error could result in significant cost so even one error will easily pay for the barcode scanning solution. If a medical error is severe, a hospital stay could be necessary and cost thousands of dollars. And there's no price tag if an error leads to the loss of someone's life.
Tablet PCs that have barcode scanning allow physicians to quickly access medical records to find out history, allergic reactions and drug interactions. They can then scan barcodes on medications and the wristbands of patients, providing convenient and error-free care.
Tablet PCs Help Streamline Workflow
With a Tablet PC, medical professionals don't have to switch from a Tablet to a PC to finish projects. Its docking station provides a power supply and extra ports to attach a mouse and keyboard. There may even be a mount that turns the tablet into a display for presentations or easy viewing of EMR. These functions make transitioning to the next step in care very easy and help streamline the workflow of the healthcare setting.
Tablet PCs Lead to Better Patient Care
Tablet PCs provide physicians with an endless amount of information right at their fingertips. This translates into better patient care because the physician can access a more complete patient record immediately. They can access the latest up-to-date research, medication databases to aid in prescribing medications, and send prescriptions or lab requests electronically using an error-free and more secure method of transmission. Additionally, documenting can be done at the point of encounter, saving the time of going back and forth to another room in which EMR is stored.
Above all, patient safety and health is always the priority and can be achieved more efficiently with the use of a Tablet PC.
A recent study shows tablet PCs with EMR enhance clinical routine and promote bedside time. Results indicated increased productivity, enhanced data access, improved patient-physician interaction and workflow, and optimized patient outcome. With all the benefits of Tablet PCs, it's apparent they are the premier choice for EMR.