Pen-based computing: applications in clinical medicine.
Handheld, pen-based computing is an affordable, empowering technology that has application in small practice settings as well as in hospital-wide environments. Although hardware standards are evolving, there is now a stable base of applications, wired and wireless connectivity, and other features that make pen-based computing an attractive alternative to paper and pen patient data acquisition. When combined with centralized data synchronization, pen-based computers can also serve as an affordable medium for the dissemination of clinical guidelines, standard formulary, and other patient-related data. Wireless, and to a lesser extent, wired pen-PDAs hold the potential to make web-based electronic medical records accessible from anywhere at any time.
Department of Anesthesia & Critical Care, Cin 309, Massachusetts General Hospital, Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. archetype5@aol.com
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D016287:Computer Peripherals; D001330:Electronic Data Processing / Q000379:methods; D006236:Handwriting; D006751:Hospital Information Systems; D014481:United States; D014584:User-Computer Interface