Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Experiences with a PDA-based Documentation System in Clinical Research

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Medical Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

New clinical treatment concepts and the implementation of algorithms usually require extensive documentation for scientifical evaluation and quality assurance. A consequent electronic documentation approach potentially facilitates data integrity and availablity and decreases the amount of time spent with manual transfer from paper data into computer systems. The development and the components of the “Heidelberg PDA-based Clinical Documentation Suite” are described. This system allows electronic documentation and post-processing in a timely manner using an affordable standard Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). It features almost universal customizability to new documentation requirements and can be used with only minimal prior training. Initial experiences are reported and prospective improvement possibilities are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Lindfors, S., Eintrei, C., and Alexanderson, K., Stress factors affecting academic physicians at a university hospital. Work 34:305–13, 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Cowley, R. A., The resuscitation and stabilization of major multiple trauma patients in a trauma center environment. Clin. Med. 83:14–22, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Kirkpatrick, A. W., Ball, C. G., D'Amours, S. K., and Zygun, D., Acute resuscitation of the unstable adult trauma patient: bedside diagnosis and therapy. Can. J. Surg. 51:57–69, 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Bishop, M., Shoemaker, W. C., Avakian, S., James, E., Jackson, G., Williams, D., Meade, P., and Fleming, A., Evaluation of a comprehensive algorithm for blunt and penetrating thoracic and abdominal trauma. Am. Surg. 57:737–46, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bishop, M., Shoemaker, W. C., Jackson, G., Williams, D., Kram, H. B., and Fleming, A. W., Evaluation of a blunt and penetrating trauma algorithm for truncal injury. Crit. Care Clin. 7:383–99, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Ruchholtz, S., Zintl, B., Nast-Kolb, D., Waydhas, C., Schwender, D., Pfeifer, K. J., and Schweiberer, L., Quality management in early clinical polytrauma management. II. Optimizing therapy by treatment guidelines. Unfallchirurg 100:859–66, 1997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Bernhard, M., Becker, T. K., Nowe, T., Mohorovicic, M., Sikinger, M., Brenner, T., Richter, G. M., Radeleff, B., Meeder, P. J., Buchler, M. W., Bottiger, B. W., and Martin, E., A Gries. Introduction of a treatment algorithm can improve the early management of emergency patients in the resuscitation room. Resuscitation 73:362–73, 2007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Bahr, K., and van Ackern, K., Quality management in anaesthesia practice: chance and challenge. Anaesthesist 49:65–73, 2000.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Zintl, B., Ruchholtz, S., Nast-Kolb, D., Waydhas, C., and Schweiberer, L., Quality management in early clinical multiple trauma care. Documentation of treatment and evaluation of critical care quality. Unfallchirurg 100:811–9, 1997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Sperandio, D. J., and Evora, Y. D., The use of mobile computational technology in the nursing process: a new challenge for Brazilian nurses. Stud. Health Technol. Inform. 146:721–2, 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Kline, J. A., Johnson, C. L., Webb, W. B., and Runyon, M. S., Prospective study of clinician-entered research data in the Emergency Department using an Internet-based system after the HIPAA Privacy Rule. BMC Med. Inform. Decis. Mak. 4:17, 2004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Shapiro, J. S., Bessette, M. J., Baumlin, K. M., Ragin, D. F., and Richardson, L. D., Automating research data collection. Acad. Emerg. Med. 11:1223–8, 2004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Lane, S. J., Heddle, N. M., Arnold, E., and Walker, I., A review of randomized controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of hand held computers with paper methods for data collection. BMC Med. Inform. Decis. Mak. 6:23, 2006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Rivera, M. L., Donnelly, J., Parry, B. A., Dinizio, A., Johnson, C. L., Kline, J. A., and Kabrhel, C., Prospective, randomized evaluation of a personal digital assistant-based research tool in the emergency department. BMC Med. Inform. Decis. Mak. 8:3, 2008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. VanDenKerkhof, E. G., Goldstein, D. H., Lane, J., Rimmer, M. J., and Van Dijk, J. P., Using a personal digital assistant enhances gathering of patient data on an acute pain management service: a pilot study. Can. J. Anaesth. 50:368–75, 2003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Dale, O., and Hagen, K. B., Despite technical problems personal digital assistants outperform pen and paper when collecting patient diary data. J. Clin. Epidemiol. 60:8–17, 2007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Ellinger, K., Luiz, T., and Obenauer, P., Optimized documentation entry in emergency care using pen computers–initial results. Anästhesiol. Intensivmed. Notfallmed. Schmerzther. 32:488–95, 1997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Felleiter, P., Helm, M., Lampl, L., and Bock, K. H., Data processing in prehospital emergency medicine. Int. J. Clin. Monit. Comput. 12:37–41, 1995.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Fletcher, L. A., Erickson, D. J., Toomey, T. L., and Wagenaar, A. C., Handheld computers. A feasible alternative to paper forms for field data collection. Eval. Rev. 27:165–78, 2003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Galliher, J. M., Stewart, T. V., Pathak, P. K., Werner, J. J., Dickinson, L. M., and Hickner, J. M., Data collection outcomes comparing paper forms with PDA forms in an office-based patient survey. Ann. Fam. Med. 6:154–60, 2008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Nahm, R., and Poston, I., Measurement of the effects of an integrated, point-of-care computer system on quality of nursing documentation and patient satisfaction. Comput. Nurs. 18:220–9, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Stengel, D., Bauwens, K., Walter, M., Kopfer, T., and Ekkernkamp, A., Comparison of handheld computer-assisted and conventional paper chart documentation of medical records. A randomized, controlled trial. J. Bone Joint Surg. Am. 86-A:553–60, 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Levine, R., Avoid the paper chase. Real-time, wireless patient documentation helps therapists save both time and money. Healthc. Inform. 16:73–4, 1999.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Lu, Y. C., Xiao, Y., Sears, A., and Jacko, J. A., A review and a framework of handheld computer adoption in healthcare. Int. J. Med. Inform. 74:409–22, 2005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Bernhard.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Becker, T.K., Gries, A., Martin, E. et al. Experiences with a PDA-based Documentation System in Clinical Research. J Med Syst 36, 647–651 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-010-9530-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-010-9530-z

Keywords

Navigation