Category Archives: Medical Cart Computers

How Medical Cart Computers are Being used by Doctors and Patients

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how-medical-cart-computers-are-being-used-by-doctors-and-patients-2As Workstations On Wheels (WOWs) and Computers On Wheels (COWs) entered the medical industry, patients quickly became used to seeing the digital revolution begin to make inroads at their point of care. Medical Cart Computers (MCCs) are now replacing these early forms of digitization, bringing new features to patient / doctor interactions. How do medical computers help improve health care on both sides of the screen?

Building Patient Trust

For patients who wonder how their doctor will remember all the information shared during the appointment accurately enough to enter in their file later, medical cart computers allow peace of mind as entries can be made, checked, and corrected if needed on the spot. This builds trust between the patient and their doctor via the system.

Real Time Data Capture

In addition to the ability to input information in real time, additional data can be shared and transmitted via the use of smart card readers and RFID readers, which can be used to scan in additional information at the appropriate level of security. HIPAA isn’t compromised, and EMRs (electronic medical records) are fully integrated.

Ease of Data Sharing

Data comparisons can be easily and quickly made when patients past records and records from multiple doctors, specialists, and facilities can be reviewed from one single location. The medical PC allows everyone involved in a patient’s care to be completely looped in and cognizant of any recent changes in health status, symptoms, and more.

Mobility

A medical cart computer can be assigned to a bed, or assigned to a patient. If need be one unit can follow an emerging case from arrival at the ER through triage, the OR, and into recovery without a break, while hot swappable batteries guarantee uninterrupted access to all information at the patient’s side.

EHR Accuracy

Electronic health records can be reviewed, double checked for errors, updated, and transmitted seamlessly with the help of medical PCs. Having all the information available about a patient who is unconscious, disoriented, or unresponsive can make the difference between the right care and the wrong diagnosis.

Interaction

Patients can view images and information, and interact via signature or verification with the system under supervision of a doctor, and be allowed access to top layers of data to help them better know how to follow through with their care.

Medical cart computers are helping doctors excel at treatment, providing more immediate and accurate care based on the data provided by patient side PCs. MCCs are the future of interactive health care!

Benefits of Medical Cart Computers in ER Settings

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benefits-of-medical-cart-computers-in-er-settings-2Workstations on wheels (WOWs) are nothing new. The concept of making workstations mobile in the health care setting was a natural step towards patient side care and the natural next steps was soon to follow. Making a laptop or other battery powered computer mobile by strapping it down to a mobile cart made patient side care even more comprehensive when it came to digital data input. However, computers on wheels, or COWs, are quickly giving way to the even more beneficial MCC – or medical cart computer.

Unlike a WOW, which may or may not have computing ability, or a COW, which is often no more than a standard laptop mounted on a wheeled cart. A medical cart computer is designed from top to bottom to be an invaluable asset and all-in-one solution to patient side care. These medical computers include a variety of features that enhance patient care and streamline operations in the ER.

Medical cart computers are built to be space saving, allowing the most compact configuration – a boon for crowded ERs where space is at a premium. This saves time, as the medical PC is always available – it tucks into any available corner and can be readily pulled patient side for data input, data retrieval, or image viewing.

The long-lasting battery allows for long stretches of use, and the hot swappable function lets a new battery be swapped in without losing connectivity or power, so critical data won’t be lost. There are no long cords or cables to provide a tripping hazard, and the medical computer cart is built to withstand bumps and impacts without damage to the unit.

Data is secure and HIPAA regulations easily met with security features that allow staff members, nurses, doctors, and others on the floor access based on smart card reader authentication or pin number input. Data can be captured and instantly transmitted to other personnel with authority to view notes, medications prescriptions, and lab orders as well as results and recommendations from specialist consults.

Advanced patient care is possible with a medical cart computer that moves for the ER to other wings or floors with ease, staying with the patient for their entire hospital stay. Some units even feature patient infotainment options, allowing them to access information about their condition, care, and future recommendations in a friendly, easy to use format.

While WOWs and COWs were important stepping stones in the area of digitized patient care, the medical cart computer is the next step in the evolution of ERs, and is expected to become the standard for high quality care.

How does Patient Side Computing Enhance Healthcare?

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how-does-patient-side-computing-enhance-healthcareInfotainment is a rapidly spreading concept across the digital landscape – combining information and attractive content with the goal of providing entertainment hand–in–hand with data that is of value to the viewer.

This idea is evident in the healthcare industry. Waiting rooms play informational content on a loop, hoping patients will absorb data that could help improve their care and their compliance with treatment plans. A new take on this avenue of patient education is patient-side computing, a more personalized way to gain exposure to beneficial knowledge.

Research and experimentation that examines patient-side computing setups in healthcare environments can track levels of positive engagement, and devise new ways to deliver data in a user-friendly format. The gradual shift in focus is away from the typical ceiling mount television and restricted cable network providing a comforting drone of syndicated entertainment and towards a more interactive patient experience with Medical Cart Computers that track patient care, capture data, and can also be used to provide information as well as entertainment to captive audiences.  

This information dissemination pattern has been successfully implemented in other verticals. Hotels and restaurants provide tablet computers in the room or on the table, allowing users to order and pay outstanding bills, and these tablets also often offer the option for more entertaining types of interacting by way of apps or games, either free or paid, allowing users to entertain themselves. In many cases, for example the tourism related businesses, information about local attractions can be fed alongside fun facts about the area, or quizzes can be used to pique interest.

When utilizing digital devices in a healthcare setting, the issue of security and privacy is a priority. Patient-side computing can be regulated by strict accessibility parameters – infotainment options segmented form patient data, and key card access required for sensitive data or tools. This allows for one device to have multiple functions, and reduces the number of computers required for each room.

The benefits of infotainment and patient computing options is proven to enhance patient stays in healthcare facilities, encouraging patient interaction and increasing satisfaction as well as ultimate outcomes. When patients can receive valuable data about their condition, communicate with hospital staff, enjoy various forms of entertainment, and even interact in a limited way with the main system (such as ordering food from the cafeteria), their experience is positively enhanced.

The psychological aspect of recovery is bolstered by allowing the patients to feel like they are in charge of their recovery, and can reduce readmission rates, leading to savings for the facility and higher grades for patient care. Infotainment is shaping up to be the next huge step forward in the realm of patient-side care.

How Medical Cart Computers Inspire Patient Trust

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how-medical-cart-computers-inspire-patient-trustHow Medical Cart Computers Inspire Patient Trust

As an ever-expanding industry, healthcare is becoming more competitive and depending more on digital assistance to enhance record accuracy and better serve patients. Medical Cart Computers are the new standard of care, allowing doctors to deliver premium patient-side experiences and improve patient / doctor relationships by inspiring trust.

Patients need to know that their information is accurate and safe. When one of the top causes of improper patient care is incorrect data, being able to show patients that their information is being captured instantly and accurately can instill the first layer of trust required.

In order to perform tasks like instant data capture and shared doctor / patient discussion, patient-side technology is required. Medical Cart Computers provide a tool that allows doctors to better relate with patients; instead of the clipboard or a stationary computer system, patient data can be clearly entered and verified with the patient no matter what location in the building or campus, providing a level of assurance that data entry at a central terminal can’t match.

As electronic health records (EHRs) continue to gain traction, access to vital data and the ability to review charts, files, and images at any location is crucial. Enhanced patient care can be assured by use of Medical Cart Computers synced with a centralized system, so the patient’s file can follow them throughout a medical facility.

Patients who are able to see data being entered and updated, and who are allowed the visual interaction that a Medical Cart Computer provides are more likely to trust the process and feel more secure that their data is correct. Explaining issues and procedures is also easier with a Medical Cart Computer available to provide a visual aid when needed.

Patient trust grows as the transparent workflow and improved healthcare quality make a distinct impact on their experiences in clinics, hospitals, doctors’ offices, and specialist encounters. Using Medical Cart Computers is one way to enhance and strengthen doctor patient bonds and improve outcomes.

The advantages of modern Medical Cart Computers include enhanced portability, compatibility with other healthcare tech, features like hot swappable batteries to ensure continual availability, and patient confidentiality via security and privacy software that restricts access based on authentication of each user.

Using Medical Cart Computers can solve multiple problems, improve productivity, and lead to better patient care and relations. Utilizing new technology builds trusting relationships and instills confidence for future interactions.

Medical Automation: Tech Meets the Healthcare Industry

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Hospitals are ecosystems. The flow of information is lifeblood, and the devices that capture, display, store, analyze and transmit the data are the organs. Using the best possible devices in healthcare settings means that data is properly handled, utilized, and shared, providing better outcomes for patients and streamlined workflow processes for personnel.  

Improved Workflows

The workflow starts with the patient. The data they provide is crucial to proper treatment. This data must be captured as swiftly, completely, and accurately as possible. Having medical cart computers ensures information can be entered and checked with the patient in real time, while ascertaining vital data such as medical history and drug interactions.

While patient-provided data isn’t always accurate, it often contains the key to proper diagnosis and treatment and can help avoid errors leading to patient endangerment form allergic reactions, drug interactions, and more. Patient side computing also allows for authorized personnel and family members to share in completing histories and other key data acquisition, enhancing rapid and appropriate care via approved treatment plans.

Digital Strategy

Digital strategies allow doctors to streamline and reengineer the process to create visual, automated services that can be shared with patients and other doctors for a clear picture and better comprehension, building patient trust for their medical professionals.

  • Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are a perfect example, already being implemented across the country to track patient health data and support medical decisions. Digital medical imaging systems sync with records systems making it easy to compare images and update files, share information, and transfer records.  
  • Mobile health (mHealth) initiatives are also on the rise, enabling physicians and patients to use mobile devices to improve care.
  • Telemedicine is another byproduct of digital health care, providing broader access regardless of location, leading to improved care in rural areas.
  • Real-time location systems (RTLS) can locate equipment, patients and staff.

Process Duplication

Another aspect of medical automation is how it can reduce process duplication and the errors that can arise due to this issue. Standardizing procedures, breaking them down into individual components, digitizing data, connecting various types of records, and analyzing data leads to complete integration of disparate elements.  

Advanced Technology

Better tech means better outcomes. Mobile, cloud and new communication technologies working together to capture data from EHRs, wearables, clinical information systems, mobile devices and more can streamline workflows and enable providers to spend more time with patients and less time on non-patient side care.