Be sure to join us tomorrow for the first virtual Intel Healthcare Innovation Summit webcast. The 45-minute, online roundtable discussion will feature Todd Park, HHS’s chief technology officer, and be followed by live Q&A so you can ask questions to those who are on the forefront of health IT innovation.  You can register for the webcasts by clicking here.

In addition, we have also asked healthcare technology leaders to share some of their thoughts as we lead up to the webcasts. You will see below a podcast and blog post from Greg Davidson, Executive Business Development Manager at Panasonic, who shares his thoughts on mobile solutions that make caregivers more impactful. What questions do you have about mobile healthcare technology?

Listen to the podcast with Greg Davidson and remember to register for the Summit webcasts.

In a very short period of time, we have seen market conditions drive mobile technology innovation in healthcare. EHR’s, telehealth, HIPPA, HITECH and Meaningful Use are helping to improve efficiency and streamline workflow while protecting patient data.  At the same time, advancements in technology offer increased levels of integration allowing for smaller, lighter devices and a greater likelihood of clinician adoption. 

Today, there are a variety of mobile computing devices designed specifically with healthcare workers in mind.  With healthcare institutions asked to do more with less, aging populations and not enough clinicians to meet market demands, this intersection of market drivers and technologies could not come at a better time.

A great example of these factors driving innovative mobile computing technology in healthcare is the Mobile Clinical Assistant (MCA).  Based on a reference architecture pioneered by Intel, this class of device integrates a number of key features into a single unit, making it ideal for tasks like barcode meds administration, wound care management and charting.  MCA devices, like the Toughbook H2, incorporate barcode scanners, cameras, RFID readers, wireless connectivity, long battery life, the ability to withstand drops and be sanitized by various cleaning solutions – all in a light weight, portable package. 

Regardless of the technology, serious considerations must be made before investing. First of all, mobile computing is not the same as desktop computing, where a “one size fits all” strategy is often applied. Be sure to understand user workflows and tailor solutions to meet their needs.  We’ve seen countless projects fail because the wrong device was forced on the user. 

Be sure to take into account the features your end users will need. Devices with a stylus to allow for signature capture, daylight viewable screens and high levels of security are ideal. Ergonomics, durability and ease of sanitization are other considerations when evaluating mobile technology. 

Innovations in mobile computing have the potential to significantly improve clinical workflow and the quality of patient care. At Panasonic, we have a long history of providing healthcare customers, across the continuum of care, with reliable mobile technology.