San Diego Business Journal has an article about a local company called IntelliDot Corp., and its efforts to popularize a “medical iPod” among the nurses. The device, dubbed CAREt System, is designed to streamline nursing workflow and to improve the safety of clinical practice:
The CAREt Handheld devices were designed by the nurses who actually use them. The custom-designed handheld weighs just 8 oz. and allows nurses to perform safety checks at the bedside with just one hand. The handheld is closely integrated with customized software that actually guides nurses through tasks so seamlessly that most nurses learn to use the CAREt handheld in less than one shift. The CAREt Handhelds are made specifically for the patient care environment and their rugged, yet elegant design is easy to clean and disinfect-unlike laptops, COWs or PDAs. And best of all, CAREt Handhelds will operate for 14 hours before recharging, continuously communicating with the CAREt Server via an 802.11b or g wireless local area network (WLAN)…
Built on a design that complements the way nurses work, the CAREt System provides a straightforward user interface that supports a fully integrated approach to medication safety and documentation at bedside, in a variety of healthcare settings. By simply scanning a patient wristband, the CAREt Handheld device guides the nurse through all required medication administration and documentation tasks that have accumulated for a patient. Information is clear, organized and delivered right into the caregiver’s hand, right when it’s needed.
In addition to the medication administration functionality, IntelliDOT will be adding a Laboratory Module. Using the same CAREt Handheld device that is currently used for medication administration, the new module will add functionality for specimen collection and blood transfusion verification. IntelliDOT’s Specimen Collection Module will be commercially released in late 2006. The Company anticipates receiving FDA clearance for the Blood Administration Module in the last half of 2007.