Adapting to new technologies: wireless and

PDAs

Mary Peterson

Royal Adelaide Hospital / Institute of

Medical & Veterinary ScienceAdelaide, Australia

mary.peterson@imvs.sa.gov.au

Background

• Institute of Medical & Veterinary Science– Pathology laboratory & research institute – http://www.imvs.sa.gov.au

• Royal Adelaide Hospital– Teaching hospital affiliated with

University of Adelaide– http://www.rah.sa.gov.au/homepage.htm

Our users:

• Clinicians (doctors, nurses, allied health)

• Researchers (academics, laboratory scientists)

• Students on clinical placement• Diagnostic laboratory staff

statewide

Types of question

• Clinical - urgent / immediate• Research• Management/ financial/ business• Political

Types of information

• Quick look-up – point of care– Ward office– library

• Literature search– Office– Library– From home

• Journal article• Book

Evidence-based practice

• Cochrane Collaboration– www.cochrane.org/

• www.imvs.sa.gov.au/library/EBM.html

• May become mandatory in Australia

The devices:

• Wireless laptop connections• Tablets • Hand-held devices (PDAs)

Tablet used in first wireless trial

Why PDAs?

• Easy to use• Small and portable• Wireless network connection

possible• Downloads possible

Disadvantages of PDAs:

• Slow connect times for wireless• Security problems for data• Devices easy to steal• Culture change requires re-training• Resistance to change• Cost of implementation

Where can they be used?

• Library• Ward office / nurses’ station• Patient’s bedside• Operating theatres (?)

Other fields:

• Workshops• Engineering plants• Surveying

Our questions:

• Where does the library fit in?• Which products suitable for use

with PDAs?

Our products:

• Drug databases ***• Prescribing aids ***• Dictionaries ***• Textbooks **• Databases (Cochrane, Medline)*• Full-text linked to above• Individual journal subscription

Wireless or download?

• Textbooks (depends on size)• Drug databases – currency• Location• Suitable format / screen display for

chosen device

Drug look-up database – web page

Harrison’s PIM front page

Harrison’s full contents page

What we’re doing

• Care Connect & OACIS - Sth Aust government hospitals

• 4 years’ worth of records• 2 million patients• Mobile Medic – wireless iPaqs with

internet– Pilot in 4 renal units

Pictures!

We’re replacingthis …

With this!

Wireless transmitter (trial)

Recharging / re-imaging

Recharging

Results so far:

• Clinicians want– Speed– Flexibility

• Favorite products:– Quick look-up tools– Journal of Family Practice 2001 Nov;

50(11): 960-5

Role of the library:• Advice on content (collection

development)• Website – small-screen version• Training• Support information e.g. webpage on

PDAs– John W. Scott Health Sciences

Library at the University of Alberta:• www.library.ualberta.ca/subject/pdas

Our conclusions:

• Wireless vs. download:– Place for both - (Depends on setting)

• Optimize screen display• Links point to PDA URL• Become familiar with the interface

Adapting to new technologies: wireless and

PDAs

Mary Peterson

Royal Adelaide Hospital / Institute of

Medical & Veterinary ScienceAdelaide, Australia

mary.peterson@imvs.sa.gov.au