Trial Contributes To 12% Increase In Nursing Time With Patients

UK. 21ST SEPTEMBER 2010: More than 100 Panasonic Toughbook CF-H1 drug trolley solutions for E-Prescribing have been ordered by the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust. The CF-H1 Mobile Clinical Assistant tablets, which are fitted to the Trust’s existing drugs trolleys with a generic docking system, allow nurses to instantly access and record information at the patients’ bedside and improve patient care time.

The initial order for 111 Toughbook CF-H1’s was made following an eight week trial in which nurses found that the solution was efficient as it ensured that the mobile device was constantly charged.  The device was also easily removed and taken to the patient’s bedside to ensure that the right drug was given to the right patient at the right time.  The trial demonstrated that these data input savings contributed to a 12% increase in the time nurses could spend with patients.
 
Designed specifically for clinicians, the CF-H1 MCA is a lightweight, shock and water-resistant, tablet computing device that can be easily disinfected. It allows doctors and nursing staff to benefit from instant access to medical records at the point of care and record accurate documentation on patient conditions and medication.

“Compared to traditional solutions, such as PC’s on a trolley, the Toughbook CF-H1 drug trolley e-prescribing solution is fast, efficient and flexible,” said Mandie Sunderland, Chief Nurse, of Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust. “The Toughbooks can be easily fitted to our existing trolleys or mounted on ward walls for use by nursing staff.”

Chris Wood, Healthcare Business Manager, at Panasonic Computer Products Europe, added: “This Toughbook solution allows the NHS Trust to make the most of the equipment and software applications they have today but as the applications evolve to more touchscreen friendly systems the CF-H1 tablets are future proofed to meet the demands of NHS technology innovations.”

Using Panasonic’s advanced battery technology and a low-power Intel® Atom™ processor, the CF-H1 offers a category-leading six hours of battery life, complemented by dual hot-swappable batteries that deliver extended life, allowing non-stop computing while on the move virtually eliminating down time during shifts.

With its light weight, Approx 1.5 kg design, low surface heat, comfortable-to-use integrated hand strap and conveniently placed barcode reader, the CF-H1 offers enhanced ergonomics over other MCA devices.

The CF-H1 has also been designed for easy disinfection, reducing the risk of infections being spread from patient to patient. The first MCA to offer a fanless design – limiting the opportunity for germs to be transported by the device –features a smooth surface with sealed buttons, a gapless LCD screen and no exposed ports. Panasonic developed a special exterior case material which can withstand frequent alcohol wipes. To further aid in disinfection, a Panasonic-designed software utility can be programmed to remind users to wipe the unit down at defined intervals and automatically records a successful cleaning for the hospital’s permanent records.

The rugged CF-H1 is capable of withstanding 90 cm drops, similar to the height of a patient’s bed, while operational. The sealed unit is IP54 compliant for water-, rain- and dust-resistance and can easily handle being repeatedly sprayed and wiped with disinfectant.

The Toughbook CF-H1 also can help to reduce medication administration errors while helping nurses and physicians to deliver faster and safer care. The new CF-H1 is a secure and intuitive platform for barcode medication administration (BCMA), vitals capture and electronic medical records (EMR) capture and review – all at the point of care.

To meet the needs for mobility within many healthcare organizations, the CF-H1 offers a range of embedded wireless options, including 802.11a/b/g/n and Bluetooth® 2.1. The device can also be equipped with Qualcomm’s new Gobi™ technology, offering up to 7.2 Mbps mobile data links and simplifying complex multi-carrier wireless deployments for IT departments.  The CF-H1 also comes with optional, GPS technology allowing for location awareness with improved accuracy, faster satellite acquisition time and lower power consumption. 

Photos of the CF-H1 MCA can be downloaded at: http://www.toughbook.eu/service-and-downloads/image-archive?directory=1CF-H1