Here’s a new device, by Philips and Intel, that promises to streamline clinical care and make it safer by computerizing everything from patients’ identification process, to distribution of meds by nurses, to the collection of bodily fluids. The Philips MCA (Mobile Clinical Assistant) comes on the heels of a recently launched Motion C5, a similar mobile clinical information management device by (the same) Intel and Motion Computing.
From Philips press release:
The Philips MCA brings a number of technology features together into a single platform, including an easy to read 10.4 inch XGA touch-screen, RFID and barcode scanning, Bluetooth, wireless LAN connectivity and a digital camera. The portable, always connected device is designed to require minimal training and provides significant benefits to the clinical users, helping to reduce medication errors, positively identify staff and patients, fill out charts, capture vital signs, write up reports and validate blood transfusions as well as the ability to closely monitor the healing of wounds.
“Nurses are already busy enough today and every little step you can save is very important to them,” said Franco Martegani, CEO of Philips FIMI — a global provider of medical displays and mobile point-of-care terminals. The MCA embodies our brand promise–Sense and Simplicity. It marries technology with usability and is designed around the way healthcare professionals are working when visiting patients, giving it the potential to provide more real-time care for a better patient experience.”
The overall concept of the MCA has been defined by studying different usage models, with direct input from clinical staff. Individual components in the Philips MCA have been optimally tuned to each other to ensure the highest level of usability and portability. The MCA is made of lightweight material and provides an ergonomic fit for both right- and left-hand users. The device is also being designed to minimize fatigue while holding it flat thanks to a ground-breaking hand grip on the back of the unit, and features intuitive function controls, LED indicators and other smart interfaces that are suitable for use in many different fast-paced clinical situations.
Designed as a fully sealed device without any unnecessary I/O ports, the MCA can easily be wiped clean with disinfectant to reduce the spread of infection as nurses move from patient to patient. Moreover, its durable design makes the MCA suitable to withstand knocks, drops and the general daily activities within the hospital. Its medical grade compliance allows usage in many clinical areas, including intensive care units and surgery theatres.
The Philips MCA also comes with a revolutionary feature to swap the long-life battery with a fresh one in the docking station without disrupting applications currently in use. The grab and go docking station has been designed not only to charge the device but also to use it as a back-office desktop device in combination with a mouse, keyboard and high-speed Ethernet connection.
Trust us on this one: guaiacing stools will never be same with all these MCAs.
Press release…
