Doctors and nurses in Victoria will be given Apple iPads as part of a trial to improve internet access in Victorian hospitals. According to Health Minister Daniel Andrews’ announcement yesterday, 500 iPads would be sent to graduate doctors and nurses in January and if the $500,000 pilot program goes well, the devices could be used more widely.
Mr Andrews said, “The iPads will allow doctors and nurses to access any web-enabled application run by their hospital as they move around the hospital, as well as allowing them to tap into health information resources…The iPads will connect via a wireless network that allows secure, safe connectivity within the hospital while not affecting other important and sensitive electronic patient care equipment.” “This trial will allow us to understand the impact of iPads on student learning and communication, and on the way teachers plan and deliver curriculum in the classroom,” said Premier John Brumby in a statement at the time.
The doctors are happy with this move. They have been concerned for a while about the inadequate technology in public hospitals saying that it could cost patients’ lives. The currently running information technology system, HealthSMART, is criticized widely because it is running at least four years late and $35 million over budget.
President of the Australian Medical Association's Victorian branch, Harry Hemley hopes that this iPad trial would improve access to computers and patient care. “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…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,” Dr Hemley said. He added that, “Doctors should be able to access patients' test results at their bedside, to view their entire drug chart electronically and, importantly, to utilize medication safety tools which alert clinicians to potential medication interactions.”
There are however critics too. The chief executive of South Australia’s health department feels more needs to be done to assess the capability of the device before the plan launches. SA Health CEO Tony Sherbon also said that the department needed to fully assess the device before it was implemented — with concerns around the security of patient information being one potential issue.
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