PDA, iPod Touch, & iPhone policy at UTHSC Houston SON

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I'm getting all my tech needs lined up for Fall 2013 and I'm having difficulty finding anything current regarding the use of a PDA, iPod Touch, iPad, or iPhone during clinicals at UT Health Science / School of Nursing. It seems the issue with whether any of these are allowed during clinicals has to do with being a phone or having a camera, which may pose as HIPAA violations. The iPod Touch seems like the best way to go as I can load it up with the many nursing apps now available, it is not a phone, and it is much more portable than an iPad (mini or full size). However, the latest generation can be had with or without a camera. I'd really like the camera on it just to have a decent point and shoot for things outside of class. Are there any current UTHSC Nursing students who can chime in and let me know the current stance on technology in the classroom and clinicals? Thanks!

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Specializes in Nasty sammiches and Dilaudid.

I'm not a student there (though I have transited through the Houston airport... :roflmao: ), but so long as your clinical instructors/unit staff are cool with a student using tech devices on the floor, it would seem like using an iPod Touch vs. an iPhone would be worth not risking a HIPAA violation for having a camera in patient care areas. I have both an iPod touch and an iPhone but the phone stays in my backpack/locker when I'm at work then I swap it out for my iPhone to have a convenient point-and-shoot when I'm out.

FWIW, if you do decide to buy an iPod Touch, get one from Apple's refurb store--they are a good bit cheaper than new ones so you're not out as much $$$ if it gets pee'd/shat/spewed upon...

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Ahh, I had not considered the danger of damage from various bodily discharges. I may have to settle for not having the iPod camera for now.

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Specializes in Nasty sammiches and Dilaudid.

Yep--when I was doing my preceptorship in the ED at a very busy Trauma Center, I didn't have anything on my person that would bother me to throw out if it got contaminated. Everything important (wallet less the $20 or so in case we got food, phone, BT headset, etc) stayed locked up where they were safe/secure/clean.

For sure, I would definitely avoid having a personal device with a camera in patient care areas. It's really no inconvenience to lack a camera on a device you only use during clinical; just as its convenient to have one on a phone you take everywhere else...

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Thank you for the input. I've already ditched my iPhone just for the sake of shaving off another $30 off my monthly expenses while in nursing school. I just wasn't sure if I should keep it as a PDA, but you're right about not risking HIPAA violations.

Anyone out there attending UTHSC in Houston who can chime in? How has having a PDA helped you?

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I wouldn't bother with buying one specially for nursing school but then you may be able to write it off as a school expense. I don't know how the laws work in that matter.

Using my cellphone at work hasn't helped much. I don't use my cellphone except to look up drugs when I get home. I don't do my research in the hospital. Once clinical starts, I turn it off. It's not worth having someone flip out over it.

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