Comments on: Five Lessons Apple must learn from current Healthcare Tablets if the Apple Tablet (iPad) is to Succeed in the Medical Industry

By: Bubbels

Bubbels — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:03:51 +0000

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By: Jared Houck

Jared Houck — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:35:15 +0000

There is a large gap between what many HOPE the iPad will do and what it actually CAN do. Tablet PCs have been on the market for many years and promised many of the same things. The limiting factor has been (and most likely will continue to be) software. In the US, CCHIT/Drummond certification (via the ARRA stimulus) will be the badge that differentiates what healthcare facilities will actually support and purchase.

By: Iltifat Husain

Iltifat Husain — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:08:30 +0000

James,

I think the point about getting nurses to embrace the interface is a very valid one. In the wards I’ve seen PLENTY of nurses that LOVE their iPhones. They usually use them for games and basic medical reference apps. I’ve been in a situation where I’ve seen a portion of the hospital transition to EMR and its a pretty grueling experience, since we’re already stressed enough in health care, and the last thing we want to think about is learning a whole new system. But I’m sure nurses and other medical professionals would LOVE to try using the iPad BECAUSE of the iPhone’s interface. But you mentioned a very key point, its up to developers of robust EMR systems to design applications that utilize the OS on the tablet.

By: James

James — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:05:37 +0000

Most devices other than Apple’s iPhone SDK really just try to modify the desktop metaphor. Apple’s interface is intuitive and will be successful because it doesn’t require a manual to operate it. I really think that I could get some of our 50-60 year old nurses to embrace this interface. Now if the Devs will just approach it with the fresh eyes that Apple’s engineers have.

Other manufacturers try putting desktop operating systems on these types of devices. They will fail, because it isn’t intuitive.

By: Iltifat Husain

Iltifat Husain — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:58:27 +0000

also, infection control in the healthcare setting can be easily remedied with a case / cover. I’m sure there will be plenty available when the iPAD launches

By: mankanwal

mankanwal — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:58:15 +0000

reflex hmmers and stethoscopes are bigger infection risks than a tablet. Plus most healthcare systems already have computer in patine’s rooms and offices.
I fail to see how a tabet proves to be riskier than anything else, including the door knob.

By: Alex Drossos (article author)

Alex Drossos (article author) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:36:03 +0000

You’re right Kent. Infection Control is another important issue, but I had to keep my list to 5 items =). The main reason it didn’t make the top 5 is because no (or more accurately few) computers in use in a healthcare setting today really take this into account and do something proper to address it. That doesn’t mean it’s not important, but so far we’ve gotten away without out it (or so we think at least).

Thanks for the good comment,
alex

By: Kent Westervelt

Kent Westervelt — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:56:42 +0000

What about infection control???

Hypercritical here….doubt they will build to necessary standards.