How's My Mom iPhone app

CloudySue · Mar 25, 2011

Hmmmph. Like LTC staff don't have enough to do already. I have to check this app out. Good luck kids, finding a staff member willing to cooperate with you! Now get your butt in the car and come see your mom!

vampiregirl, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2011

I could see some HIPAA concerns.

However, who on earth has time to update all of this info every week? Most days I struggle to complete my already long list of required paperwork in a timely manner. Add this app x 30 residents?? Not to mention, I don't think this is an appropriate venue to communicate health information or any concerns for the matter. As for the activities list - to be totally honest, I'm not always sure which of my residents went to which activity. I'm sure the families aren't wanting an ADL checklist - peri care, denture care, toenail care etc:)

I can see how the creator of this app was trying to have good intentions.... however, I'd give it a thumbs down.

glutton4punishment · Mar 25, 2011

wow. I guess I am looking at it from a different perspective. I think it's pretty awesome.

Welcome to the 21st century.

rnmi2004 · Mar 25, 2011

Who would foot the bill for the iphones that all the nurses are now going to need?

navyguyhm3 · Mar 25, 2011

http://appshopper.com/healthcare-fitness/hows-my-mom
I found this app on the App Store today and was completely disgusted. Here is a description of the app if the above link doesn't work:
"How's My Mom gives assisted-living centers and nursing homes the tools they need to keep family members in constant contact with their relatives.
The How's My Mom iPhone app can be used by workers at care centers to provide biweekly updates on residents. These updates include a photograph, a checklist of activities that the resident participated in that day, as well as health updates and messages to the family member.
Using the How's My Mom iPhone app, a care center worker can easily complete these updates using a single handheld device. How's My Mom takes care of the rest!"
As a CNA, it blows my mind that people would try to stay in contact with their family members through me! I would think that the family member would feel like they are doing a good thing, when in all actuality, the resident is sitting in their room and possibly have not even seen their family in days, weeks, or months.
Not to mention taking pictures! I would not be caught dead taking a picture of a resident with my phone at work.
Wouldn't posting personal health information and pictures be a HIPAA violation?
Let me just say that I did not download this app because I don't have the latest version on my iPhone, so maybe there is some type of password or something to protect it that I don't know about.
Dondie

Hmm..wouldn't that constitute a hipa/privacy violation...sending healthcare updates via phone? Sounds to me like if you use this app...your setting yourself up for some kind of disciplinary action. i would advise not to use it. Seems like it can cause quite a bit of trouble!!

caliotter3 · Mar 25, 2011

I agree with rnmi. Give me the iphone and I still won't find the time to do this extra work X 80 residents. Let the family members come visit and they can see firsthand.

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Mar 25, 2011

Created by a non-nurse I would say.

danh3190 · Mar 25, 2011

Isn't a HIPAA violation if you have the permission of the patient and family. On the other hand who on earth would have time to post the information.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Mar 25, 2011

I agree with Dondie. Sounds like a creepy way to make someone feel they are in touch with the resident when they are not. Also, high risk of HIPAA violations. Good catch, Dondie!

Otessa, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2011

Hmmmph. Like LTC staff don't have enough to do already. I have to check this app out. Good luck kids, finding a staff member willing to cooperate with you! Now get your butt in the car and come see your mom!

Great advice, unless you work full time and live 2,000 miles away and have kids of your own to care for on a daily basis.

This happened to my family. Seven kids-2 lived close by the rest lived on different coasts. This would have been great for those 5 siblings who did not live close by to check on their parent besides just a verbal from their 2 siblings.

ObtundedRN, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2011

Isn't a HIPAA violation if you have the permission of the patient and family. On the other hand who on earth would have time to post the information.

I agree, it is easy to bypass HIPPA if you get consent. I guess for some people it may be the only way to maintain some form of contact with their loved one, although I'd be pretty upset if i had kids that wanted to do it to me.