Mobile Health Computing [part of HCPLive]

Become a Mobile Health Computing fan on Facebook

2010-03-12T00:20:00.000-08:00

Given that I have 4 different blogs, I've created Facebook fan pages for each of my blogs. Who has time to blog, tweet, and use Facebook?

Since so many people are getting addicted to Facebook, I figured it was time to create a fan page for this blog (MobileHealthComputing.com) on Facebook. You can see that I'm the first fan (and hopefully I won't be the last).

Click here to become a fan of Mobile Health Computing on Facebook and thanks for your support! Make sure to become a fan of my other pages:

Lenovo ThinkPad X201 vs. X200 Tablet PC

2010-03-11T07:01:00.000-08:00

I currently use a Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Tablet PC. It's not old, but it's also not the new ThinkPad X201 Tablet. What are the differences between the X200 and the newer X201 Tablet PCs?

First, the new X201 uses the Intel® Core™ i7 processor while the older X200 uses the Add up to Intel® Core™2 Duo processor. The i7 is currently the "best" Intel processor on the market.

The new X201 tablet also features a multitouch touchpad (in addition to the TrackPoint pointing device).

I'm waiting for Lenovo to install a keyboard light on their tablet PCs. The include an LED light for their laptops, so why don't they add the LED light feature for their convertible tablets? That's on the top of my wish list right now.

The evolving tablet PC for the health care industry

2010-03-10T12:57:00.000-08:00

When some of the first tablet PCs came out, they were heavy and expensive. Some are still heavy and expensive, but the tablet PC market has certainly shrunk. Slate tablet PCs are rare and we see the vast majority of people using laptops or convertible tablets. Several U.S. medical schools require medical students to use a Lenovo ThinkPad X200 tablet PC. Sorry, but if you're an Apple fan, you'll need to use a PC if you're in one of those schools.

So, how has the tablet PC evolved in the health care industry?

One of the major changes occurred when we lost the Apple Newton MessagePad. Doctors (early adopters of technology) who used the Newton were devastated. What do we use now?
Some physicians tried using slate tablets, but at the time, many electronic health record (EHR) software solutions were not really optimized for tablets and pen-based input.
Some manufacturers created slate-style tablet PCs that detached from a keyboard base. Remember the HP TC1000 and TC1100?
Then, physicians turned to convertible tablets, but most physicians simply used these as laptops because they were more comfortable with the keyboard and mouse.
Then, nurses and other clinicians started using Mobile Clinical Assistants in the hospital setting. These devices were versatile, thanks to their built-in RFID and barcode scanners. The Motion C5 and Panasonic H1 became quite popular, despite their high price tags.
Many PC manufacturers gave up on the slate tablet industry. It was simply too niche.
Additional PC manufacturers gave up on the convertible tablet industry.
The concept of the ultra-mobile PCs flopped. The origami campaign was dead.
Then, netbooks started gaining popularity and Asus created a convertible tablet netbook.
Lenovo introduced a hybrid tablet/notebook with the IdeaPad U1 hybrid.
HP teased the world with the HP Slate.
Now, Apple (and others like HP and Lenovo) may be revolutionizing the slate industry by introducing slate-style devices like the iPad. If health care professionals start becoming more comfortable with a slate form factor, will this translate over to pen-based computing? Will we be more inclined to navigate directly on the screen of a device instead of using a mouse and keyboard?

I believe that tablets will gain tremendous traction in the healthcare industry. Once physicians realize that they can be much more productive by navigating directly on the screen, they will be inclined to switch to touch/pen-based computing.

Android Pad

2010-03-10T07:47:00.000-08:00

Now that Apple has the iPad, when will Google release an Android Pad? Such a device would probably be made by HTC (who currently makes the Google Nexus One smartphone). Actually, Archos has a little 5-inch tablet that runs Android and it's called the Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet. They should have simply called it the Android Pad. Several other companies are currently working on Internet tablets that run Android, but those devices haven't been getting much press here in the U.S.

I don't doubt that the iPad will be very popular here. I'm sure as Android gains momentum in the smartphone space, the Android Pad will eventually emerge as direct competition against the iPad.

Samsung digital reader may be coming to Barnes and Noble

2010-03-10T03:29:00.000-08:00

According to this story on Engadget, the Samsung E6 e-reader may be coming to Barnes and Noble. Given that it has a touch screen and a stylus pen for "inking," this could be the start of a new revolution of digital notepads that may gain tremendous popularity among those of us who wish to avoid paper at all costs.

The Nook is another e-reader that is built for Barnes and Noble, but the Nook has a small color touch screen section on the bottom (so you can't really take notes on the Nook), but it's another great option for people who don't want to write, but want to read.

Eventually, I think the majority of these e-readers (digital book readers) will come with color touch screens. The Apple iPad will be the first, but others will soon follow.

Adobe Flash on the HP Slate

2010-03-09T12:38:00.000-08:00

HP continues to tease us with these videos, but I want to test one of these devices. Watch this 5 minute video that shows Adobe Flash on the new upcoming HP Slate. With Flash, you can watch videos, read books, play games, and do so much more.

HIMSS10: Microsoft Surface Table

2010-03-09T08:17:00.000-08:00

When I was at HIMSS10, I had the opportunity to sit with Jared Walker from HP and try the Microsoft Surface table. This table uses some incredible technology and I think we'll be seeing many of them used in the health care industry. Click here and watch this video from HIMSS10.

Special thanks to HP for sponsoring me to blog about HIMSS10.

Apple iPad commercial

2010-03-08T20:43:00.001-08:00

Did you watch this Apple iPad commercial?

Should medical schools require an iPad?

2010-03-08T05:51:00.000-08:00

We've heard of several medical schools requiring students to use either an Apple iPhone or iPod touch, but what about the iPad? Some schools have been experimenting with digital e-book readers like the Amazon Kindle. Medical textbooks are frequently filled with photos and other color-rich images, so the grayscale Kindle isn't the ideal e-book reader for medical students who wish to carry their textbooks electronically. This is where the Apple iPad could revolutionize the way medical students learn.

Will some medical schools try to educate their students using digital technology? I'm sure it's bound to happen. What I don't know is whether the iPad will improve the way students learn medicine. Since I'm a technology advocate, I could make several compelling arguments to say that interactive learning is much more effective than traditional lectures and didactic education. I could also say that retention could be enhanced with the use of digital quizzes that occur at the point-of-learning. You can't do that with a text book, but you could do that with a digital version. I could argue that multimedia enhances the educational experience compared to static color images. But all these arguments could fail if students are not ready and willing to embrace technology to enhance their education.

The average pre-med college student is probably tech-savvy and digitally connected via a smartphone, several social media accounts, and a laptop computer. If you hand that student an iPad filled with medical textbooks and multimedia resources, will that student learn effectively? I would think so.

Browsing computers at Best Buy

2010-03-07T00:31:00.000-08:00

I spent some time this afternoon browsing computers at Best Buy. You'd think that I'm there all the time, right? Actually, I haven't been into a Best Buy in quite some time. I do most of my shopping online, but today I had a mission. I had to buy something for my wife and I wanted to get something that I could easily return (in case she didn't like it).

While I was in the store, I also glanced at some of the laptops and netbooks. Did you know that they now have an entire section devoted to netbooks? You would not have seen that a few years ago.

Netbooks are becoming very popular because of their low price and portability. I see them everywhere from the airports to local coffee shops. Do you have a netbook?

Online coupons for gadgets and computers

2010-03-06T00:29:00.000-08:00

I love online coupon codes. When's the last time you used a coupon code for an online purchase? How often do you use the Internet to search for coupon codes? I use them all the time, but sometimes you may find codes that are invalid or expired. I will frequently post coupon or discount codes on my blog for my readers.

Now, if you know where to look, you can find some great deals through these coupon codes. The other day, I was shopping for some accessories and I decided to look for a Dell coupon code. I needed to get a battery for an old Dell Axim Pocket PC (remember those?). After searching on Google and browsing several different sites, I finally found a coupon code that I could use to get free shipping.

I also have a few HP iPaq Pocket PC and smartphones and I was browsing the HP website looking for discounts. After searching on Google, I found some an HP coupon code that had expired. No luck with HP on Google. Then, I dug through some old e-mails and found an Amazon code so I purchased the item through Amazon instead.

Sometimes, you may be shopping for someone else. My family members are always asking me to make purchases for them since they know that I frequently shop on the Internet. My cousin needed something for his Sony Vaio and I couldn't find it on Amazon so I shopped on the Sony site. I could have gone to the Sony store, but why pay for tax and shipping if you can have it shipped for free? I fortunately found a great Sony coupon code that I used right away.

So, the next time you get ready to shop online, make sure to look for some coupon codes. You might get lucky and find something to help you save.

Windows 7 is the fastest selling Microsoft OS

2010-03-06T00:21:00.000-08:00

It's no surprise that Windows 7 is the fastest selling Operating System (OS) created by Microsoft. I'm a huge fan of Windows 7 and I think that the folks at Redmond did a great job with this OS. I wasn't a huge fan of Vista, so I was running XP on most of my machines. I still run XP on some of my older PCs, but I run Windows 7 on all my mobile devices and tablets.

According to PC World, Microsoft has sold over 90 million copies of Windows 7. I still remember beta testing Windows 7 RC on some of my machines.

Get ready to upgrade your old PCs if you plan to stay current on modern software. Microsoft Office 2010 is coming soon and if you've got an old PC, then you may have some trouble using newer applications that require larger amounts of RAM and more processing horsepower. I wonder how the slow netbooks will run some of these new apps.

The Archos 9 tablet PC review

2010-03-05T18:42:00.000-08:00

I had the chance to play with an Archos 9 tablet PC at the airport. So, although I didn't spend hours with the device, I spent enough time to form a brief opinion. Here's my short review of this tablet:

The Archos 9 is thin and sleek (0.67 inches thick!). Compared to my current Samsung Q1 Ultra (which has a 7" screen), the Archos 9 (which has an 8.9" screen) has a nicer overall design. I'd gladly trade my Q1 Ultra for an Archos 9.

The device didn't get very warm in my hands and I was impressed by its performance running Windows 7. With a price tag of $549.99, it competes with the upcoming Apple iPad but the difference is that the Archos 9 is a full tablet PC running Windows 7. It also has a webcam so that you can run applications like Skype. Plus, it features a built-in kickstand so that you can tilt the device at various angles. The Archos 9 has a removable battery and a battery life of approximately 5 hours.

The Archos 9 has a passive touch screen (resistive touch) instead of a capacitive multi-touch screen, so keep this in mind when you think about making a purchase. I have to think that future models will come with a capacitive touch screen. If you're an early adapter of technology and gadgets, then I think you'll really like the Archos 9. I'd probably get one, except that I already have too many gadgets right now.

Motion C5 vs. Panasonic H1

2010-03-05T09:55:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for a Mobile Clinical Assistant (MCA), you're probably looking at either the Motion Computing C5 or the Panasonic Toughbook H1. There are other options, but the C5 and H1 are the most popular devices (and if you look at the market segment, you'll see that the C5 is currently dominating the MCA market).

So, what makes them similar? What makes them different? In order to qualify as an MCA, Intel has outlined the specifications that must be met. So, all MCAs will have very similar key capabilities.

Let me highlight 2 differences (although this will change by the latter part of this year):

The Panasonic Toughbook H1 is thicker, it has a "grip" option on the back that allows you to hold it more securely, and it offers a dual-battery design that lets you swap batteries without powering down the device. However, it lacks Gorilla Glass and its Atom processor is slow compared to the Motion C5 Core 2 Duo processor. The Atom processor and the dual battery design allows this machine to be used all day (which is more important if you're outdoors, but in a hospital setting you almost always have access to charging stations). Panasonic has a long history of building rugged Toughbook computers.
The Motion C5 is thinner and is currently designed with a single battery (but I was told this will be changing). It comes with Gorilla Glass and a faster Core 2 Duo processor. The faster processor could lead to shorter battery life, but in a hospital setting you generally have easy access to charging stations. Motion Computing specializes only in slate computers and they've been in this business for many years.
Both are Wacom Penabled. Neither offer a capacitive multi-touch screen option at this time.

Both of these slate tablets are expensive and they're designed for niche markets. I doubt that other major hardware manufacturers will be making similar MCAs anytime soon since these types of devices are highly specialized and expensive.

HP Slate, when will you arrive?

2010-03-05T08:02:00.000-08:00

I admit that I’m eager to see the HP Slate. I want to see how this device compares to some of the earlier Ultra-Mobile PCs (UMPCs) such as the Samsung Q1, the Samsung Q1 Ultra, and other slate-style mobile computers.

The other day, I played around with the Archos 9 PCTablet running Windows 7. It's very thin and it looks like a great device, but it uses a passive touch screen instead of a capacitive touch screen that is capable of multi-touch gestures.

So, here are my questions relating to the HP Slate:

•    What type of screen input options will be available? We can expect to see capacitive touch, but what about Wacom-based Penabled input? Will that be an option in future Slate models?
•    Will the HP Slate get very warm?
•    Battery life?
•    Real-world usability in health IT?

Will the HP Slate only be for consumers, or will it also have enterprise applicability?

Do physicians prefer mobile computers or workstations? #HIMSS10

2010-03-04T06:25:00.000-08:00

Here at HIMSS10, I heard several stories where hospitals were trying to determine what type of computing form factor they should adopt as they prepared to transition from paper orders to computerized physician order entry (CPOE). Do physicians prefer mobile computers like laptops and tablet PCs, or do they prefer workstations with large monitors?

You can't answer this question through a series of surveys. However, you could set up a "tech day" where you set up several different clinical stations that simulate the clinical workflow. Station one may have a slate tablet PC. Station two may have a workstation with a 19" monitor. Station three may have a convertible tablet attached to a docking station and large monitor. You can have physicians try each different station and rate their level of comfort at each station.

In general, you'll find that older physicians like the larger monitors. Younger physicians who train with tablet PCs and laptops will prefer mobility. How do you reconcile these differences?

Special thanks to HP for sponsoring me to attend HIMSS10 and blog about my experiences.

I was hoping to see the HP Slate here at #HIMSS10

2010-03-04T04:18:00.000-08:00

I was really hoping to catch a glimpse of the HP Slate here at HIMSS10. Unfortunately, the Slate is not currently on the market and I'm eagerly waiting to get this device in my hands.

I strongly believe that devices like the iPad, the Kindle, the Nook, and other slate-like devices will revolutionize people's comfort levels with the slate form factor. At first, people will say, "Wow, the digital slate is a great way to read a book!" Then, they'll say, "Hmm, I can actually write notes on the screen? Who needs a notebook?"

Before we know it, people will be very comfortable with the idea of carrying around a digital notebook where they can scribble notes, draw, and read. Of course, these devices won't be limited to these functions, but the slate "computer" will slowly become integrated into mainstream consumer and professional workflows. Those working in the health care industry will be ready to embrace slate PCs in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. When you add pen computing capabilities to a device that supports multi-touch navigation, that's the optimal combination for a slate computer.

Special thanks to HP for sponsoring me to attend and blog here at HIMSS10.

HP, Fujitsu, Panasonic, Dell, and Motion made a splash here at #HIMSS10. Where was Lenovo and Sony?

2010-03-03T20:39:00.000-08:00

As I walked through the HIMSS10 exhibit this week, I visited the HP, Fujitsu, Panasonic, Dell, and Motion Computing booths. I played around with their mobile devices and computers. Strangely enough, I didn't see Lenovo or Sony. Samsung and LG were here, but I didn't see Apple.

At the HP booth, I enjoyed playing with their EliteBook laptops. At the Fujitsu booth, I played with the tiny LifeBook UH900. At the Panasonic booth, I played with the Toughbook C1. At the Motion Computing booth, I played with the C5 MCA.

Next year, I'm sure we'll see more mobile devices displayed at the HIMSS exhibit. My prediction is that we'll see Apple here with the iPad, HP with the Slate, and several other new and innovative slate-style computers.

Special thanks to HP for sponsoring me to attend and blog here at HIMSS10.

HP EliteBook 2740p tablet PC (coming soon)

2010-03-03T20:18:00.000-08:00

If I had to buy a new laptop, I'd really like to get one that has illuminated keys since I do a lot of typing at night (in the dark). My wife has a MacBook Pro, so her keyboard lights up. My current Lenovo Thinkpad X200 tablet lacks any type of built-in keyboard illumination.

A few months ago, I had the chance to review the HP EliteBook 2730p tablet PC that also has a built-in LED light at the top of the screen. This light pops out and shines down on the keyboard. It's a great feature if you're typing on the plane or in a dark setting (such as a radiology suite).

HP is preparing to release the EliteBook 2740p and the biggest new feature here is the option for a multi-touch screen. When my ThinkPad dies, I may need to switch to the EliteBook since I'm finding that keyboard illumination is a key feature that I'm not willing to bypass if I can find it in another machine.

Panasonic announces light new Toughbook C1 here at #HIMSS10

2010-03-03T06:37:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to see the new Panasonic Toughbook C1. It's currently the world's lightest 12.1” convertible tablet PC and I was especially impressed by the dual battery design (that allows for hot-swapping plus 10 hrs of battery life) and the dome hand grip design on the bottom. The unique triple hinge design is very innovative and reduces hinge failure on these types of convertible tablets.

Here's a snippet from the press release:

“One of the main markets for the Toughbook® C1 is healthcare,” said Greg Davidson, healthcare senior business development manager, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. “We have been working with our healthcare customers to design a convertible tablet that truly addressed their needs. To date, the market has been making do with tablets that fail to offer the light weight, ergonomics and battery life needed by healthcare professionals. We believe the new Toughbook C1 addresses all these issues, while offering the additional benefits of excellent performance and durability.”

I still use a Lenovo ThinkPad X200 tablet and it works for me, but there are many times when I wish it had some additional or different features. The C1 comes with a dual-input screen design (capacitive multi-touch plus Wacom Penabled input) and will also come with a "gloved" touch input screen this fall (not for winter gloves, but surgical gloves).

Special thanks to HP for sponsoring me to attend and blog here at HIMSS10.

Tablets and mobile computers at the #HIMSS10 exhibit

2010-03-02T20:56:00.000-08:00

If you walk through the HIMSS10 exhibit, you might feel like you're at CES instead of HIMSS. I'm seeing small computers everywhere! Convertible tablets, slate PCs, Mobile Clinical Assistants (MCAs), and even micro PCs that are really tiny. Next year, I predict that we'll see many vendors using the iPad and other new devices like the HP Slate to demo their EHRs.

I personally think that many physicians fail to recognize the value of mobile computers and pen-based input in the ambulatory setting. My prediction is that future exam rooms will be equipped with a Microsoft Surface table and a large touch-screen monitor mounted on the wall. Every doctor and nurse will use some type of mobile computer to record patient biometrics and enter data at the point of care. The addition of clinical decision support will further enhance patient care as providers apply the latest clinical data to practice true evidence-based medicine.

Special thanks to HP for sponsoring me to attend and blog here at HIMSS10.

Microsoft Surface at #HIMSS10

2010-03-01T18:33:00.000-08:00

Soon, physicians will be showing patients their recent cardiac test results using Microsoft Surface. This amazing touch-screen table technology has a wide range of applications in the world of health care, patient communication, and health education. It's been great to see the Surface here at HIMSS10.

Microsoft Surface is a revolutionary multi-touch computer that responds to natural hand gestures and real-world objects, helping people interact with digital content in a simple and intuitive way. With a large, horizontal user interface, Surface offers a unique gathering place where multiple users can collaboratively and simultaneously interact with data and each other.

You can see the Microsoft Surface in the HIMSS10 exhibit hall. Make sure you don't miss it!

Special thanks to HP for sponsoring me to attend and blog here at HIMSS10.

Gadgets and mobile computers at #HIMSS10

2010-03-01T06:10:00.000-08:00

I'll be at HIMSS10 this week and I'm really looking forward to seeing some of the new gadgets and mobile computers that will get announced this week. Thanks again to HP for sponsoring me as a blogger and I hope to provide "meaningful" coverage as we discuss the "meaningful use" of electronic health records (EHRs).

Special thanks to HP for sponsoring me to attend and blog here at HIMSS10.

Win an Apple iPad at #HIMSS10!

2010-02-28T00:03:00.000-08:00

I may not be giving away an iPad, but I know that at least one company will give away an Apple iPad at HIMSS10.

Stop by Orchestrate Healthcare's booth 6141 at HIMSS and register to win an iPad. You can learn more about Orchestrate Healthcare by visiting: http://www.orchestratehealthcare.com/

    * Integration (EMR Integration, Clinical & Business Application Integration, Device Integration)
    * EMR Consulting Services
    * Epic
    * Cerner
    * Eclipsys
    * MEDITECH
    * Siemens
    * GE Centricity
    * McKesson
    * Many Ambulatory EMR's: EpicCare Ambulatory, NextGen, Allscripts, eClinicalWorks and many other CCHIT Certified EMR's.
    * Healthcare Information Exchange (HIE): whether with a RHIO/HIE or a more generic external trading partner
    * Web Services, integration-as-a-service, and Service Oriented Architecture (SOA)
    * Clinical Data Exchange: e-Rx, e-Lab, CCR
    * Payer / Provider Connectivity (e.g. better integration and automation of 835 and EOB processing) and other Revenue Cycle Transactions (e.g. point-of-service)
    * EMPI - Enterprise Master Person/Patient Index
    * Technical Staff Augmentation
    * Many Other "Best in KLAS" Technical Services

So, who else is giving away an iPad at HIMSS10?

Cloud Computing at #HIMSS10

2010-02-27T00:48:00.000-08:00

While I'm at HIMSS10, I'll be computing on the clouds on several levels:

I'll be computing while I'm flying to Atlanta (so, I'm literally in the clouds, but this is not the right way for me to be using the phrase "Cloud Computing")
I'll be relying on certain Cloud Computing resources (don't wish to get into specifics right now)
I'm sure I'll see many vendors and exhibits focused on Cloud Computing in health IT while I'm roaming the exhibit space at HIMSS10

Cloud Computing is gaining tremendous popularity in the health IT space and I'm eager to hear the discussions around this topic at HIMSS10. Software-as-a-service (SaaS) is simply one type of Cloud Computing and I'm sure we'll see plenty of examples of EHR vendors talking about SaaS. Is the health IT industry ready to tackle the challenges associated with data security, disaster recovery, privacy, and some of the other hot topics related to Cloud Computing?