Accessing information at the bedside using electronic devices is relevant and a skill to integrate into our education practices, Scott. The most recent issue of the Journal of Nursing Education (their 50th anniversary!) highlights educational technologies like Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), podcasts, simulation, and even texting in an undergraduate nursing course.
Cibulka & Crane-Wider (2011) successfully added PDAs to undergraduate and graduate nursing programs for students to access clinical relevant information at the point of care. They offer suggestions for successful implementation. Perhaps notebooks will be used as well. I like the idea of something I can fit in my pocket, unless the facility has these available at each bedside.
Of course another issue of infection control arises. Facility-based computers can have wipeable keyboards. A personal device could become a problem for isolation rooms in particular. Can anyone speak to how these issues are handled in your environments? My thought is that if users wash their hands before using devices consistently and do not set them down, there should be no problem.
Sara
Reference:
Cibulka, N.J. & Crane-Wider, L. (2011). Introducing personal digital assistants to enhance nursing education in undergraduate and graduate nursing program. Journal of Nursing Education, 50 (2), 115-117.
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