Cool Technology of the Week

Last week, I met with Patientsafe Solutions, a San Diego-based startup founded by serial entrepreneur James Sweeney.

Their idea is simple - leverage the iPod Touch 4G form factor and the iOS 4 SDK to create an all in one mobile device for healthcare.   Their work thus far has included medication management workflow including bedside medication verification and electronic medication admission records.   Their future vision encompasses numerous aspects of nursing workflow, pre-admission testing, admission, discharge and home care.

Here's an overview of their initial PatientTouch product.

In the past, nurses have told that they really did not want to carry devices, which have the potential for getting in the way of the nurse-patient interaction.

Today, the ubiquity of smart phones makes the notion of carrying a pocket sized device more palatable.

Imagine one device that is rugged, lightweight, secure, and easily cleanable for supporting medication workflow (positive patient ID, eMAR, medication verification),  laboratory workflow (positive patient ID, front end labeling),  alerts/reminders, and voice over IP communications via hospital WiFi networks.

An iPod touch in every clinician's pocket, fully connected to hospital information systems and other caregivers.   That's cool.