Fast data at RDNS Victoria’s fingertips
A new mobile computing device (MCD) has been rolled out by Victoria’s Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) to enhance the ability for staff to provide quality care to clients.
RDNS project manager, Owen Smith, has a look at the new Lenovo ThinkPad Helix convertible ultrabook with RDNS development coordinator, Julie Hampson.
The new Lenovo ThinkPad Helix convertible ultrabook replaces the traditional tablet which has been used by RDNS Victoria for the past three years.
The ‘convertible’ form allows the screen to be detached from the keyboard base enabling it to operate independently as a tablet – similar to an iPad, but with full Windows functionality, which the majority of clinical applications require.
Owen Smith, RDNS Victoria project manager, said the decision to move to the new MCD was made in order to respond to emerging changes in the health sector, particularly Consumer Directed Care (CDC), which gives older people and their carers greater say about the types of care services they receive and the delivery of these services.
“The new devices have brought a significant improvement in connectivity – especially at the edge of the network or in known ‘black spot’ areas,” Mr Smith said, adding that ease of use and integrity of the hardware was crucial to RDNS Victoria.
“We are in the era now when patient data needs to be uploaded in a nanosecond whilst in the client’s home,” Mr Smith said. “The importance of privacy and security of the client’s care information is paramount. It’s all about accurate and timely access to information, on which clinical decision making is critically dependent,” he added.
Another benefit the new technology had on clients and staff was streamlining consultations with clients in the home.
“When you consider the amount of patient information that needs to be collected and collated – we are talking about enormous amounts of data – to that end, RDNS operates a data warehouse,” Mr Smith said.
“Therefore, we are investing heavily in technology which will allow us the leverage to utilise that data warehouse to achieve improved outcomes for clients. The client or patient can have the peace of mind that his or her data is constantly up to date on the system.”
