Using a personal digital assistant enhances gathering of patient data on an acute pain management service: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
Handheld computer technology provides a unique opportunity for health care professionals to access real time or near real time patient information and evidence-based resources at the point-of-care. The purpose of this study was to assess one physician's experience using acute pain assessment software on a personal digital assistant (PDA) to assess patients on an acute pain management service (APMS).


METHODS
Using a historical control and a "time and motion" study design, comparisons were made on acute pain assessment time and comprehensiveness when patient assessments are documented on a PDA vs the current paper-based method.


RESULTS
The study physician (a PDA-user) reported feeling comfortable with the assessment software after five patient assessments. PDA assessments were more likely to contain documentation regarding pain and side effects (e.g., nausea, pruritus, hypotension) than the paper assessments. The median time of the "assessment only" component of the patient encounter was 53 sec longer using the PDA compared to paper (P < 0.00), however, the median "total encounter" (chart review, assessment, documentation) time was 74 sec shorter using the PDA vs paper (P < 0.00).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this preliminary study suggest that the PDA is a reliable tool that meets the data management requirements within an APMS setting. This study found that patient assessments documented using acute pain software developed for use on a PDA were as efficient and content-rich as paper assessments. The PDA may even enhance the efficiency of the patient assessment process through the provision of more comprehensive digital data for research, clinical, and administrative needs.
VanDenKerkhof
Elizabeth G
EG
Department of Anesthesiology, Kingston General Hospital, Queen's University, 76 Stuart Street, Kingston, Ontario K7L 2V7, Canada. ev5@post.queensu.ca
Goldstein
David H
DH
Lane
Jeremy
J
Rimmer
Michael J
MJ
Van Dijk
Janice P
JP
D034201:Computers, Handheld / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018710:Pain Clinics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D012984:Software; D013997:Time Factors