As part of the anti-recession stimulus bill, the federal government allocated $19 billion dollars to subsidize the modernization of medical records. Youâve been considering making the switch to computer-based records for some time now, and the stimulus funds will certainly make that decision a little easier now. But, which system will you buy? Youâve visited a number of other practices and hospitals to see what theyâre using, and youâve found a dizzying varietyâdesktops, laptops, PDAs, smartphones, all running different software.
Youâve heard, though, that the touchpad tablet might trump them all. Released in April 2010, the tablet computer has an elegant design and an operating system that is so easy to use, that a widespread video shows a two-year-old figuring out how to use it in just five minutes. With its great battery life, light weight, and sharp display, many in the medical industry are practically giddy about how the touchpad tablet can revolutionize medical records. Several medical facilities have conducted trial programs to test the touchpad tabletâs functionality in medical facilities. Best of all, itâs relatively cheap compared to other laptop computers, and it has a low learning curve, since most of the doctors in your practice already use the smart phone.
In addition to getting federal funding, then, the touchpad tablet can bring several first-mover advantages for your practice. Your medical records will be consolidated and more efficient than competitors, which will make your entire operation run more smoothly. Patients will have to spend less time waiting for you and your staff to retrieve their charts and review their history. But just as youâre about to order touchpad tablets for everyone in the office, one of your colleagues has some warnings. "Do you think that flimsy thing can handle the rigors of a medical setting?", he asks. He doesnât think it would last more than a month in a pediatricianâs office, much less a hectic emergency room. And what about security? What kind of features does it have that will protect patient confidentiality? He reminds you that the first smart phone sold for $600, but had a minimal number of applications. Just two months later, the price was cut to $400, and ten months after that, they sold the smart phone 3G, with faster network access and thousands of more apps, for just $300. You could buy the touchpad tablet now, he says, but why not wait until if the technology company releases a cheaper, faster touchpad tablet with better features? He reminds you that other competitors will soon be releasing their own tablet computers. What if those are even better for medical records and they become the industry standard? Do we want to be left behind?
As part of the anti-recession stimulus bill, the federal government allocated $19 billion dollars to subsidize the modernization of medical records. Youâve been considering making the switch to computer-based records for some time now, and the stimulus funds will certainly make that decision a little easier now. But, which system will you buy? Youâve visited a number of other practices and hospitals to see what theyâre using, and youâve found a dizzying varietyâdesktops, laptops, PDAs, smartphones, all running different software.
Youâve heard, though, that the touchpad tablet might trump them all. Released in April 2010, the tablet computer has an elegant design and an operating system that is so easy to use, that a widespread video shows a two-year-old figuring out how to use it in just five minutes. With its great battery life, light weight, and sharp display, many in the medical industry are practically giddy about how the touchpad tablet can revolutionize medical records. Several medical facilities have conducted trial programs to test the touchpad tabletâs functionality in medical facilities. Best of all, itâs relatively cheap compared to other laptop computers, and it has a low learning curve, since most of the doctors in your practice already use the smart phone.
In addition to getting federal funding, then, the touchpad tablet can bring several first-mover advantages for your practice. Your medical records will be consolidated and more efficient than competitors, which will make your entire operation run more smoothly. Patients will have to spend less time waiting for you and your staff to retrieve their charts and review their history. But just as youâre about to order touchpad tablets for everyone in the office, one of your colleagues has some warnings. "Do you think that flimsy thing can handle the rigors of a medical setting?", he asks. He doesnât think it would last more than a month in a pediatricianâs office, much less a hectic emergency room. And what about security? What kind of features does it have that will protect patient confidentiality? He reminds you that the first smart phone sold for $600, but had a minimal number of applications. Just two months later, the price was cut to $400, and ten months after that, they sold the smart phone 3G, with faster network access and thousands of more apps, for just $300. You could buy the touchpad tablet now, he says, but why not wait until if the technology company releases a cheaper, faster touchpad tablet with better features? He reminds you that other competitors will soon be releasing their own tablet computers. What if those are even better for medical records and they become the industry standard? Do we want to be left behind?
