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What's new in mobile healthcare?

Being able to deliver healthcare away from a desktop computer is vital to modern healthcare. Over the past year, E-Health Insider has reported on a number of devices that offer professionals this opportunity. Joe Fernandez summarises key developments:

• Intel launches the Mobile Clinical Assistant

The major development on mobile technology in the NHS so far in 2007 came from Intel, Motion Computing and Connecting for Health with the launch of a new mobile computing device, designed from the ground up for use by clinicians in hospital and community environments. The Mobile Clinical Assistant (MCA) is lightweight rugged tablet PC with a built in carrying handle designed to withstand the knocks and spills of a busy hospital while also being easily disinfected. The device is designed to provide doctors and nurses with access up-to-the-minute patient records and to document a patient’s condition.

• Clickatell and 123 Consultants – Health SMS

Mobile messaging specialists Clickatell and IT consulting firm 123 Consultants have launched a new SMS public health alert system called Health SMS. It allows GPs to use a communication module to remind patients of appointments. Patients can also cancel appointments by text or use the service to find out about health-related information such as pharmacies or medical conditions. It has recently been trialled at the Heart of Birmingham PCT for a smoking cessation campaign and is being extended to cover teen health issues. Click here for further information.

• Scalable Networks – Remote Access

Network integration specialists Scalable Networks have had a busy year providing remote working solutions for three hospitals and a primary care trust. The company installs secure wireless networks in healthcare settings which enable healthcare professionals to work across a geographic region providing them with instantaneous access to information, enabling faster patient-diagnosis treatment and helping to reduce waiting lists. Steve Wallgate, an account manager at Scalable, told EHI: “Home and Roam access is a key requirement for the health sector. Staff need flexibility and with the latest in 3G technology we can offer that. In doing this, patients can get maximum attention and doctors can save later administration teams.”

•iBleep Rapid Response System

The iBleep IT system is a web-based application that provides a ward based and wireless Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) system for communication between wards, night sisters and hospital at night team. The iBleep Rapid Response system was developed at James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, and won the Health Service Journal Improving Care with Technology award in 2006. The system uses e-technology to contact on call teams at night rather than the traditional inefficient and often frustrating paging system. The software is in production so that it will be available to trusts in an off-the-shelf format from April. Further information is available at www.ibleep.net.

• JAC Computer Services Ltd – Electronic Prescribing and Medication Administration system

The Electronic Prescribing and Medication Administration (EPMA) system manages the entire cycle of medication management from prescribing, clinical verification and supply, to bed side nurse administration. Ward based staff use mobile computers on a wireless network to prescribe and administer medicines at the bedside. The system was successfully deployed at the 450-bed Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester, part of the Winchester and Eastleigh NHS Trust in September 2006. It incorporates decision support from First Data Bank Europe (FDBE) providing real-time alerts for potential medical errors due to allergies and drug interactions. EPMA uses mobile terminals to facilitate on-line prescribing and drug administration which helps clinical staff with medication management. More information at http://www.jac-pharmacy.co.uk/.

• Map of Medicine – Mobile Map of Medicine

Map of Medicine began piloting a PDA-based version of their evidence-based clinical pathway information system for the first time in the UK in November as reported by E-Health Insider. The mobile pilot offered comparable functionality to the web-based application, and was designed to help users evaluate concept and implementation. They were not part of the company's contract with the NHS. Currently the Map of Medicine exists as a web application, with development ongoing to produce a Mobile Map of Medicine for PDAs and other mobile devices. More information at: www.mobilemapofmedicine.com.

• Data SMS Ltd – i-Contact

i-Contact is a web-based software application that allows GP surgeries to take control over their communication with their patients and also allows patients access to current appointment information without the need to contact the surgery. Surgeries can quickly and easily send out appointment reminders, flu jab information, clinic reminders and manage cancellations and so on. The system creates waiting lists automatically and allows patients to text in and make or cancel appointments. Data SMS have been working with surgeries in Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton and in the North-east on testing the technology and it is due to be rolled out shortly. Full information at http://www.datasms.com/brochures/i-Contact%20Communication%20Engine%20GP2.pdf.

• Ascribe – Electronic Medicines Management

The Electronic Medicines Management (eMM) is a mobile version of Ascribe’s main electronic prescription service which is delivered using an integrated clinical workstation. Doctors write prescriptions at the patient's bedside and these are transcribed wirelessly by a pharmacy technician on the ward, using tablet PCs. The system is browser-based, and technicians and managers have the ability to oversee how the program is used. The solution also includes full clinical decision support capacity, to ensure the right drug is given to the right patient at the right time. The system has been piloted at the Manchester Royal Infirmary and is also due to be installed at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich. More information is available at www.ascribe.com.