The IHealth project devices team has worked to find the best and most compatible computer technology for each use of the electronic health record. This page contains a summary of the suite of devices, along with links to more details about each one. They have been chosen to be compliant with:
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Privacy and security
- Compatibilities with current technologies
- Operating costs
When planning implementation of EHR technology at Island Health, we encourage you to review the available options, and discuss with the devices specialists what mix will be required for your unit. Please contact the project team directly to initiate ordering of devices.
Working safely with devices
Island Health’s Occupational Health and Safety department has produced resources related to computer workstation ergonomics and safety concerns. For more information on safe set-up and use of workstations and WoWs, click the link see our page on safe use.
Physician Workstation on Wheels (WOW)
Intended roles
Hospitalist, ERP, surgeon, family practice, medical learners, nurse practitioners, midwifery
Cart dimensions
- 31″ maximum depth
- 22.38″ max. width
- 50.5″+ height
Specific workflows
All areas of the hospital including acute and ambulatory
Reason for exceptions
Physical space constraints
Application
Charting in the moment, using Dragon microphone dictation
Benefits
- mobile
- ease of infection control
- provides workspace
Cost
$$$
Integrated Medication Cart (IMC)
Intended roles
Nursing – acute care, primary care with medication distribution
Cart dimensions
- 31″ maximum depth
- 22.38″ max. width
- 50.5″+ height
Specific workflows
Medication distribution
Reason for exceptions
Physical space constraints
Application
Positive patient identification
Benefits
- mobile
- ease of infection control
- lockable drawers
Cost
$$$
Nurse Workstation on Wheels (WOW)
Intended roles
Acute care nursing, allied health professionals, health care aides
Cart dimensions
- 31″ maximum depth
- 22.38″ max. width
- 50.5″+ height
Specific workflows
All areas of the hospital including acute and ambulatory
Reason for exceptions
Physical space constraints
Application
Charting in the moment
Benefits
- mobile
- ease of infection control
- provides workspace
Cost
$$$
Standard desktop
Intended roles
Hospitalist, ERP, surgeon, family practice, medical learners, nurse practitioners, midwifery, acute care nursing, allied health professionals
Specific workflows
All areas of the hospital including acute and ambulatory; non-clinical locations (admissions, NUAs)
Reason for exceptions
Requirement for mobility; spaces without power or network connections
Application
All applications
Benefits
- capacity for multiple monitors
- established location
- processing power
Cost
$$
Tower desktop
Intended roles
Heart health, some laboratory applications, some medical imaging roles
Specific workflows
Commonly used for heart health and imaging applications
Reason for exceptions
N/A
Application
Based on physical technology requirements, e.g. video graphics card or interface card
Benefits
- capacity for multiple monitors
- established location
- processing power
Cost
$$
Notes: Not intended for common use
Workstation
Specific workflows
Required for diagnostic quality use of Inteleviewer and imaging systems
Reason for exceptions
N/A
Application
Viewing of medical images for diagnosis
Benefits
- application-specific requirements (e.g. additional processing power, graphic card and memory)
- capacity for multiple monitors
- established location
Cost
$$$$
Notes: Not intended for common use
Thin Client
Intended roles
- Anaesthesiology
- Operating room
- Fetalink carts
Specific workflows
Operating room
Reason for exceptions
N/A
Application
Charting and chart review in the moment
Benefits
- avoiding restarts
- fanless – useful for infection control
Cost
$
Notes: Not intended for common use. Not generally intended for applications with high multimedia requirements or unique application combinations, nor applications requiring specific hardware add-ons (graphic cards, etc.)
Tablet (running Windows)
Specific workflows
Community health work
Reason for exceptions
N/A
Application
View only; limited data entry
Benefits
- mobile
- touch screen
Cost
$$$
Notes: Not intended for workflows with heavy input requirements, or concurrent presentation of large amounts of data (e.g. PowerChart)
iPad
Specific workflows
N/A
Reason for exceptions
Requirement for mobility; spaces without power or network connections
Application
N/A
Benefits
- N/A
Cost
$
Notes: Not intended for workflows with heavy input requirements, or concurrent presentation of large amounts of data (e.g. PowerChart). Prior trials have demonstrated the devices go missing, break, do not perform as expected in terms of screen size and usability under the current application sets.
Standard Laptop
Intended roles
Non-clinical leadership; some allied health; respiratory therapists
Specific workflows
Non-clinical leadership; only considered for allied health when space for other device types is unavailable.
Reason for exceptions
Physical space constraints; spaces without power or network connections
Application
Charting in the moment
Benefits
- mobile
- transportable between sites
Cost
$$
Notes: Not intended for clinical spaces, full-shift work, non-incidental use; not intended for workflows with heavy charting and data entry requirements, concurrent presentation of large amounts of data (e.g. PowerChart). Laptops will time out after 15 minutes of no activity, as per IM/IT Security rules, due to their portability and risk of theft. Occupational Health & Safety has identified concerns with long-term use of laptops for a full day’s use. Because the screen and keyboard are close together they induce chronic ergonomic problems.
Specialty Workstation on Wheels (WOW)
Intended roles
Telehealth
Specific workflows
Videoconferencing
Reason for exceptions
Telehealth / Video conferencing; dialysis clinic
Application
Telehealth applications (BC Virtual Visit, video-conferencing systems )
Benefits
Simultaneous display of video and application
Cost
$$$$$
Notes: Not intended for common use
