As a bedside nurse for over 14 years and now an Information Services Clinical Educator, I feel that access to real-time healthcare services and information via mobile devices would make bedside one-on-one education with patients and family more easily accessible and permit bedside staff a more personal "presence" with the client, sitting down with them, rather than standing over them at a computer and teaching "to" them from a "podium".  Also, portable accessibility would allow the caregiver to dictate, or chart assessments and interventions in real-time more proficiently and accurately, instead of attempting to chart multiple hours of information and data for several patients hours after the care has been given.

     I have educated bedside caregivers using simulations to provide hands-on opportunities for skills and knowledge integration.  Mobile technology that could be interactive and provide pre/post-simulation support for the educational topic would be very valuable, as the audience may have a short attention-span.  The current US culture is to carry a cellphone, or tablet on their person, providing portable, instant review/use at the convenience of the user's schedule.  Also, the incorporation of digital technology can reduce the use of paper and resources from wasteful, unnecessary printing.

    Finally, with the push for patient recovery and care transitioning from the acute-care hospital setting, to a more community-based in-home setting, the use of portable, bedside devices and cell phones could bridge the communication gap between providers and bedside caregivers without requiring the patient to travel from their home (i.e. autistic children who do not handle unfamiliar environments, or the elderly/disabled client that suffer from limitations physically and in transporation options.)

     One major concern that mobile technology in healthcare is confidentiality and security.  This must be responded to with strong, thorough procedures to control/monitor user access to patient records, as well as effective encryptioning, password protection technology and software to prevent hackers and computer attacking attempts.  Finally, education for users on proper securement and handling of mobile devices with access to readily-available patient data is crucial to ensure data and devices remain secure.

Nice Contribution Marina Kendra Nelson