iPads set to be introduced at hospital (From Thurrock Gazette)

iPads set to be introduced at hospital

3:30pm Sunday 8th April 2012 in News

ELECTRONIC tablets could become as common on wards as the prescription kind if a hi-tech pilot scheme is successful at Basildon Hospital.

The hospital is set to trial a new scheme which would see iPads become involved in a nurse’s bedside routine.

Under the scheme, nurses and medics would use the handheld electronic devices to carry out a “health checklist” for patients.

The nurse would log on to the iPad if a patient has eaten, been to the toilet, had their blood pressure and temperature taken, as well as being turned over if they are prone to bed sores.

If successful, the scheme could be replicated at other hospitals in south Essex, and the iPads could become a permanent fixture.

The scheme is being spearheaded by Basildon Hospital after it joined the Anglia Ruskin Health Partnership – a new collaboration between hospitals and health trusts across south Essex.

Mike Salmon, interim chairman of the partnership, which aims to get health chiefs together to bring in schemes to improve health care, said: “The iPad scheme is one of the many ideas we want to get going. It’s quite simple, but could have a significant benefit to patients.

“The aim of bringing in this scheme is to ensure a consistency of care. “Nurses go round regularly and take a patient’s blood pressure and their temperature. But what about the other things? “Has the patient got their food, but moreover have they eaten it? When did they last have a drink? When were they last turned over in bed?

“By putting it all on an electronic iPad, the questions will have to be asked and the information will accessible to nurses and doctors and will act as a daily record.

“The iPad would stay on the ward at all times, so whoever needs the information about a patient can have it and update it.”

Mr Salmon thinks technology is creeping into hospitals a lot more now there is a need to count every penny.

He said: “Eventually I could see a time when all records will be electronic.

“It’s much more efficient and they can’t be lost.

“The outlay for this scheme would be an iPad for each ward, which is not going to cost the earth and the benefits will be worth it.”

Mr Salmon will be meeting bosses from Basildon Hospital next week to discuss the scheme, which is likely to be set up by the end of the year.