Security for computers, handhelds. Battery Life

Hi Batmik,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you -

I'd suggest you send your query to

nrsing-l maillist - [email protected]

http://mailman.amia.org/mailman/listinfo/nrsing-l

I didn't get any replies on the general discussion so I thought I would post this here. We are getting new software at our hospital. I was wondering how other hospitals handle distribution of laptops, tablet, and/ or handhelds? How do you prevent them from growing feet by other staff and/or visitors and patients. How many devices do you have for your total staff? How long is the battery life. Our core staff is 7 RN's not counting Cna's and they want us to have 10 portable devices. We are to do all charting when it occurs, this doesn't seem like enough if you take into account recharging the battery and some that may be down from time to time. Any info would be appreciated. I am on a task force to help establish the new work flow when this gets implemented.

I am an RN on a Clinical Informatics Team over a 30 hospital system. Currently when we do a Point of Care Survey, we recommend 1 device be available for each end user at any time, no one waites for a device. You also have to have devices for ancillary staff and physicians. As for battery life, that varies with different brands of devices, but some last up to 24 hours without a recharge, most Pentabs and Laptops are 8 hours or less. Mostly less. Hope this helps. Dale IT RN.

Hello Batmilk,

You have to look at your questions like this:

How much access to the device will the user have? (all the time? shared with others? how many users per device?)

How often does the user need to access the device? (>1 * per hour? >1 * per shift?)

How long does the task your user performs take to complete? (5 min? 30 min?)

Is there a lot of writing involved? If so...consider a laptop.

If data entry consists of point-n-click choices...then consider a hand-held.

Is the user constantly moving around from patient to patient? Consider hand-held or tablet. Laptops are heavy.

Once you define your parameters, you will then know what kinds of devices you need to choose. Neither a hand-held nor a laptop will last in an on-state thru an entire shift in a completely on state. Handhelds have better battery management because the underlying hardware is simpler than a laptop.

Consider your network connection....wired or wireless? What options exist?

As far as security? How do you monitor your narcotics counts? You already know how to make people accountable.

Good luck.