By Ann Braley-Smith

Workers in the health care industry are going wireless, using handheld computers along with the standard pagers or cell phones--and ultimately putting technology on call.

It makes sense. According to one source, health care workers use these mobile communications devices through a wireless LAN connection. This allows workers to easily keep charts, check patient records, take notes, send e-mail, write prescriptions, verify drug treatments--all with the help of a computer, with no paper, pen, or desk needed.

In addition to the nuts-and-bolts, handhelds are used to obtain information on electronic medical reference libraries. Through palm-sized computers, doctors and nurses log on to the Web and access sites designed specifically for PDA access--including medical reference books, surgical encyclopedias, and pharmaceutical resources.

Handheld technology in medical settings potentially reduces paperwork errors, lowers costs, and simplifies billing.

Despite the increased popularity, handheld technology has been slow to gain acceptance for some people in the medical field. The major hurdles for adopting wireless technology are security concerns, patient privacy issues, and cost implementation. However, as the benefits show themselves, staffers in all fields are starting to embrace the technology.

Some basics
While many people in the medical industry are using handhelds and PDAs--there is a difference between the two devices. PDAs, or personal digital assistants, are not the same thing as handheld computers--though the names are often used interchangeably.

PDAs fit in your palm and are a great information tool for their size. Users maintain contact information and appointments in one central place, and can upload or download this data with their PC, send and receive e-mail, surf the Web, and more.

PDAs have a fairly long battery life and unlike the larger handhelds, they don't include a keyboard. Rather, users tap on a virtual keyboard or write with a stylus pen. That makes palm-size devices especially easy to transport--they're tiny and ultralight.

Handhelds, while similar to PDAs, are larger and have more capabilities. Their design encases a fully functional (but small) keyboard. However, they still can fit comfortably into a pocket. Most handhelds come with spreadsheet and word processing applications, an internal modem, and color screen. And most of them run Microsoft's Windows-CE program, making them much like a PC.

No matter which type is the better choice for the practitioner or health care worker, wireless handheld technology is making those in the health care field work faster and with fewer errors.

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