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Doctors welcome hospital iPad trial
29 July 2010.
The Brumby Government’s commitment to trial iPads for graduate doctors to use in the state’s public hospitals will improve efficiency and patient care, according to AMA Victoria President Dr Harry Hemley.
"Lack of access to computer terminals and other basic information technologies has been a major barrier in the delivery of efficient, high-quality services in our public hospitals in recent years," he said. "Doctors often have to line-up or wait for computer terminals to access important clinical information, such as online journals. Our hospital system is already stretched so to have doctors queuing rather than treating patients is ridiculous.
"iPads in hospitals will begin to solve computer access problems and allow doctors transportable access clinical journals, online information and email. It will give doctors the tools they need to fulfil their clinical responsibilities and provide quality care to patients."
Dr Hemley said the portable devices would facilitate the use of HealthSmart, the Victorian Government’s health information technology programs, and hoped HealthSmart’s clinical tools would be given priority.
"Doctors should be able to access patient’s test results at their bedside , to view their entire drug chart electronically and importantly, to utilise medication safety tools which alert clinicians to potential medication interactions."
Dr Hemley applauded the Brumby Government for seeking to improve existing information technology problems with innovative new technologies. "I expect that the trial will be a success, and that all public hospital doctors will have access to wireless technology in the near future."
"This is a win for Victorian patients," Dr Hemley said.
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