Wireless, Handheld Computers May Aide Resident Workflow and Learning.

backgroundThe newly mandated eighty hour work week for anesthesia residents demands that they make efficient use of their time to accomplish their educational, clinical, and administrative objectives. We set out to help residents with these tasks by developing a point of care handheld computer (HC) system that gives them access to the hospital network and the Internet through a secure, wireless local area network (WLAN) from most perioperative locations.

methodsDifferent hardware and software platforms were investigated to meet the capability of the specification above. Five anesthesia residents were asked to evaluate the platform selected through a simple ten-question survey.

resultsThe PocketPC operating system and Dell Axim HC with third party encryption and Web browsing software was the best performing platform. Residents unanimously agreed that the system improved their daily workflow efficiency and compliance with administrative requirements. No electromagnetic interference was noted between the HC or WLAN and medical equipment, cell phones or pagers. One resident saw the Web browsing capability as a potential distraction from patient care.

conclusionThis system appears to be a valuable tool for resident education, although more rigorous study of its effect on resident vigilance and the safety of patient data are needed.