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iPad fad: Hospitals face more barriers than buzz lets on

KHN: Hospital officials detail challenges of tablet computer adoption

Topics: Data Strategy, Information Technology, Electronic Medical Records Strategy, Privacy and Security, Standards and Regulatory Policy

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January 04, 2012

Although many hospitals are eager to implement new mobile technologies, several challenges are hindering more widespread adoption of tablet computers, Kaiser Health News/NPR reports.

Jonathan Mack—director of clinical research and development at the West Wireless Health Institute—said that less than 1% of U.S. hospitals have a fully functional tablet computer system. "We're really lagging behind in the U.S. in using electronic medical records on mobile devices like iPads," Mack said.

According to Mack, many of the most popular tablet computers lack applications that allow physicians to use electronic health records (EHRs) in the same way that they would on a desktop or laptop computer. Instead, mobile devices often require a complete redesign of information platforms, which can be costly. Mack added that health system that have acquired EHR systems usually "[aren't] ready to turn the boat around and start over" by reworking the system for tablet computers.

Meanwhile, Kate Franko—a physician assistant at the University of California-San Diego Health System (UCSD)—said that only 10% of UCSD physicians currently use iPads in their practice, even though the devices have been available to UCSD physicians since 2010.

According to Franko, iPad adoption among UCSD physicians might be low because the iPad application for UCSD's EHR system is a read-only program, meaning that physicians cannot use the tablets to enter new patient data. She also noted that the devices are somewhat bulky and could create distractions if physicians use the tablets to check their email or update their Facebook status.

Joshua Lee—a hospitalist and the chief medical information officer at UCSD Health System—said he thinks desktop and laptop computers are more convenient than tablets. He also expressed concern that tablet computers have not been tested as thoroughly as desktop computers for patient privacy protections (Gold, KHN/NPR, 12/26/11).

 

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