Today’s food for thought:  we’ve observed that some CIOs who embrace standardization of platforms and operating systems extend this philosophy to the organization’s clinical device strategy.  The same CIOs who use a smart phone, laptop and desktop device in an average day (or few hours) don’t “translate” this concept or need to clinicians’ requirements to perform far more complex tasks in disparate and often chaotic settings. 

We have an interesting dichotomy here.  CIOs and CFOs expecting RNs to share devices for med administration and other time- and life- critical processes would be impaired (and outraged) if asked to share their smart phones or laptops while performing less critical tasks in office environments.  So, where is the disconnect?  

We know from early EHR adopters that shared devices can work with limited online documentation that is less time-critical.   However, once EHR use increases and medication administration is automated, clinicians need immediate access to devices for routine, prn and unscheduled meds.

With some medications, e.g. pain medication, even a 10 minute delay can be unacceptable.    Hospitals where devices are shared should be prepared for impact of late medication administration as well as unhappy patients, MDs and RNs whose productivity and patient care is negatively impacted.

Bottom line: when budgeting for clinical devices, the clinical and clinician impacts absolutely must be considered in addition to cost of technology.