1. Adapting to new technologies: wireless and PDAs Mary Peterson Royal Adelaide Hospital / Institute of Medical & Veterinary Science Adelaide, Australia mary.peterson@imvs.sa.gov.au

2. Background Institute of Medical & Veterinary Science –Pathology laboratory & research institute –http://www.imvs.sa.gov.au Royal Adelaide Hospital –Teaching hospital affiliated with University of Adelaide –http://www.rah.sa.gov.au/homepage.htm

3. Aria l vie w of hos pita l

4. Circulation deskCirculation desk

5. Our users: Clinicians (doctors, nurses, allied health) Researchers (academics, laboratory scientists) Students on clinical placement Diagnostic laboratory staff statewide

6. Types of question Clinical - urgent / immediate Research Management/ financial/ business Political

7. Types of information Quick look-up –point of care –Ward office –library Literature search –Office –Library –From home Journal article Book

8. Evidence-based practice Cochrane Collaboration –www.cochrane.org/ www.imvs.sa.gov.au/library/EBM.html May become mandatory in Australia

9. The devices: Wireless laptop connections Tablets Hand-held devices (PDAs)

10. Tablet used in first wireless trial Tablet photo Tablet photo

11. Why PDAs? Easy to use Small and portable Wireless network connection possible Downloads possible

12. Disadvantages of PDAs: Slow connect times for wireless Security problems for data Devices easy to steal Culture change requires re-training Resistance to change Cost of implementation

13. Where can they be used? Library Ward office / nurses’ station Patient’s bedside Operating theatres (?)

14. Other fields: Workshops Engineering plants Surveying

15. Our questions: Where does the library fit in? Which products suitable for use with PDAs?

16. Our products: Drug databases *** Prescribing aids *** Dictionaries *** Textbooks ** Databases (Cochrane, Medline)* Full-text linked to above Individual journal subscription

17. Wireless or download? Textbooks (depends on size) Drug databases – currency Location Suitable format / screen display for chosen device

18. Drug look-up database – web page

19. Harrison’s PIM front page

20. Harrison’s full contents page

21. What we’re doing Care Connect & OACIS - Sth Aust government hospitals 4 years’ worth of records 2 million patients Mobile Medic – wireless iPaqs with internet –Pilot in 4 renal units

22. Pictures!

23. We’re replacing this …

24. With this!

25. Wireless transmitter (trial)

29. Recharging / re-imaging

30. Recharging

31. Results so far: Clinicians want –Speed –Flexibility Favorite products: –Quick look-up tools –Journal of Family Practice 2001 Nov; 50(11): 960-5

32. Role of the library: Advice on content (collection development) Website – small-screen version Training Support information e.g. webpage on PDAs –John W. Scott Health Sciences Library at the University of Alberta: www.library.ualberta.ca/subject/pdas

33. Our conclusions: Wireless vs. download: –Place for both - (Depends on setting) Optimize screen display Links point to PDA URL Become familiar with the interface

34. Adapting to new technologies: wireless and PDAs Mary Peterson Royal Adelaide Hospital / Institute of Medical & Veterinary Science Adelaide, Australia mary.peterson@imvs.sa.gov.au