2014 Volume 15 Issue 1 Pages 65-68
When an electronic medical record system was introduced at our hospital, no PHA-based PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) for supporting nursing care was prepared. Laptop personal computer with Bluetooth compatible barcode reader was utilized for the certification of transfusion or infusion bottles. However, laptop computers were inconvenient since they were not portable. Recent improvements in smartphones enable application to nursing support system because of rapid wireless network speed and easy software creation. Existing smartphone nursing support systems used in other hospitals have different data structure and work under progressive wireless networks. These systems do not fit our environment because of the difficulty to modify the data structure, and to connect the appropriate access point rapidly when the electric wave from the initial access point becomes faint. In our environment, we prepared the forced connecting button to the appropriate access point. The user pushes this button when moving to the next area. When starting up the program, the user is required to input the user's ID and to read the barcode of user's password on the user authentication card with attached camera. Consequently, the patient's ID barcode on the wrist band and the certification barcode of the infusion bottle are read into the smartphone. If certification is verified, the smartphone displays the true mark. Entering the vital data and referring the order regarding any change in the patient's condition will also be available. Smartphone nursing care system provides ample communication speed. The entire process becomes more practical by changing the barcode format to QR code. This change leads to shortening of the recognition speed of the barcode. And, it can be available in most hospital wards by the forced connecting button. Android operating smartphone under conventional wireless network has the possibility of becoming a useful tool for all the medical staff.
