Hospice of Health First Clinical Staff Improves Patient Care, Efficiency with iPads
By Health First // May 18, 2019
Committed to quality care since 1978
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – When Jeanne Simpson, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, found out over a year ago that she would be involved in an iPad pilot program, the first thought that came to mind was better efficiency.
“Getting accurate information and getting it faster,” said Simpson, the Social Work Lead for Hospice of Health First.
Fast forward to 2019, and the Hospice clinical staff team has more than 60 iPads and so far, everyone has noticed a big improvement compared to using their former work laptops.
“The feedback is that the battery lasts for a few days, so it allows for completing documentation during a visit without needing a charge,” Simpson said.
That’s just one crucial element Simpson and her team doesn’t have to worry about anymore.
She said the iPads, which come equipped with a keyboard, are mainly used for charting when clinical associates visit patients in their homes, assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
These visits involve having access to medical records, finding timely/accurate documentation from previous visits and monitoring the patient’s care plan.
These are important tasks that are difficult, and sometimes challenging when using laptops that require a hotspot and didn’t always have a cellular connection.
“With the laptops, sometimes they got service, sometimes they didn’t – it just depended on the moment,” Simpson said.
With the iPads, there are no delays when it comes to patient care.
The devices start quickly and come with automatic cellular service, which is extremely useful when clinical staff members need to find vital information on the iPad during visits in the field.
“We have people who depend on us 24/7, for routine and crisis issues, so the quicker we can see the ‘whole picture’ through previous documentation from their physician, other team members, medications and goals the better customer service and patient care we can give,” Simpson said.
To learn more about Hospice of Health First and its quality care services, visit HF.org/hospice
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