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REPLY

Kingston, Ontario

We thank Dr. Con for his comments on our article.¹ We respond point by point:

1. We agree that synchronization problems can arise during the downloading process, however, aside from the initial problem in our pilot study, which was related to the structure of the database rather than the synchronization process itself, we encountered no synchronization problems. In a subsequent study, out of 45 assessments we encountered one instance of the personal digital assistant (PDA) freezing during an assessment,² and in another study, out of 360 patient-completed questionnaires (60 on each, a PDA, a Tablet and a Kiosk, and 180 on paper) we encountered two synchronization failures with the PDA and no problems on either the Tablet or the Kiosk.³
   
2. We encountered no difficulties with the PDA screens during the pilot study; however, the PDAs have been dropped on several occasions over the past three years and the touch screen cracked on one occasion.
   
3. In our subsequent study where patient assessments were captured on a PDA during acute pain management service rounds, the assessments and orders were sent to a printer using infrared technology.² Printed labels, which had been approved by both patient records, and pharmacy and therapeutics, were affixed to the patient’s chart in place of written notes and orders.
   

Subsequent to the above-mentioned studies, a wireless infrastructure was implemented in our institution.⁴ Wireless technology appears to provide improved security of patient data as no data is stored locally, improved speed of software running on the PDA and it negates the need for synchronization. Future studies will assess the utility of wireless technology and portable computers at the point-of-care.

References

1 VanDenKerkhof EG, Goldstein DH, Lane J, Rimmer MJ, Van Dijk JP. Using a personal digital assistant enhances gathering of patient data on an acute pain management service: a pilot study. Can J Anesth 2003; 50: 368–75.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

2 VanDenKerkhof EG, Goldstein DH, Rimmer M, Tod D, Kwan Lee H. Handhelds versus paper for acute pain assessments: time and content. Can J Anesth 2002; 49: A21 (abstract).[Free Full Text]

3 VanDenKerkhof EG, Goldstein DH, Blaine WC, Rimmer M. Validation of an electronic vs a paper version of the self-completed pre-admission adult anesthetic questionnaire. Anesth Analg 2003; 96: S–3 (abstract).

4 Goldstein DH, VanDenKerkhof EG, Rimmer MJ. A model for real time information at the patient’s side using portable computers on an acute pain service. Can J Anesth 2002; 49: 749–54.[Free Full Text]

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PDA’s: are we there yet?

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This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a scholarly reply Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Related articles in CJA Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by VanDenKerkhof, E. Articles by Van Dijk, J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by VanDenKerkhof, E. Articles by Van Dijk, J.