With Philips joining Motion in creating new Tablet PC based devices many may be wondering why Intel is getting so much of the limelight. Well, the answer is their new ‘Mobile Clinical Assistant’ platform that Intel has been developing.

It seems that Intel has been working with Electronic Medical Records software companies and various hardware companies to help both optimize their products for each other.

The current list of software partners includes: Cerner, Cardinal Health, Eclipsys, Epic, GE Healthcare, iSoft, McKesson, McKesson France, Nexus, Siemens Medical, Siemens Medical France and Welch Allyn.

For software developers, there’s an SDK with tools and applications for linking with the Mobile Clinical Assistant API which is present on all MCA devices.

For more information on the Mobile Clinical Assistant platform see the MCA pages on Intel’s website.

Another new Tablet PC designed specifically for medical use is about to be announced from Philips and Intel. From Engadget:

Philips’ new tablet device will sport a 10.4-inch, 1,024 × 768 touchscreen as well as WiFi and a digital camera, aiming to streamline data entry and better monitor wounds and healing. The device will allegedly read both barcodes and RFID tags to prevent medication errors and confirm staff and patient ID

Links: Engadget, AP, The Register

Barbara Duck has profiled Dr Jack Rubin, an internist and nephrologist who uses an EO UMPC:

Dr. Rubin makes the maximum use of his EO by being able to have the ability to have his patient records with him at all time. In addition, he also responds to emergency calls as needed. By maintaining a synchronized copy of his EMR (electronic medical records) with him, he is able to look up patient information in the matter of a couple minutes, the time it takes to boot the computer if it is not currently running. By having his records available and up to date, he can view all past notes, current medications, etc. relative to the patient chart and avoid creating needless errors.

Read the article here.

Via Medical Tablet PC

Via Scobleizer

Additional Video here - shows nurses using the C5 on the wards.

Motion computing have annouced the release of the first product in their Mobile Clinical Assistant (MCA) category of Tablet PCs.

Flash Presentation of the Motion C5

Specifications:

Genuine Windows® Vista™ Business or Genuine Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition.

Mobile Intel® Core Solo Processor U1400 (1.20GHZ) and integrated high-speed wireless connectivity.

First mobile clinical assistant that integrates technology from Intel® Health.

Identify patients, medications and assets with Radio Frequency (RFID) technology.

Use the optional integrated barcode reader to manage medicines or costly supplies.

The convenient integrated camera allows you to easily take pictures and capture video for patient education and required documentation.

Highly sealed design is wipeable for quick cleaning and disinfecting.

The durable C5 is designed to handle the rigorous demands of the healthcare environment.

Integrated Bluetooth® provides wireless connectivity to peripherals.

The C5 helps you confidently enforce the 5 rights of medication administration: right drug, right patient, right dosage, right route and right time.

Healthcare-oriented security features. Integrated Fingerprint Reader prevents unauthorized access.

Embedded Trusted Platform Module (TPM) protects data by enabling hardware-based encryption.

View Anywhere® technology offers optimum viewing in any lighting, indoors or outdoors.

The Motion C5 is supported by a wide range of Accessories, including the C5 Docking Station with battery charging bay, power and storage solutions.

Many hospitals and practices use Tablet PCs integrated with electronic medical records systems. Others use handheld computers and some use both. There has been for a while a gap in the market for a device somewhere in between these two devices and it looks like one is coming, the Mobile Lifestyle PC. These new devices are expected to be wearable, have an all day battery life, cost around $500, be always on and connected through 3G, instant use, 10″, pen based and full windows OS.

Source: Cut Me Loose, via JK on the Run