Mobile Computers

Mobile computers aka COWs for Computers on Wheels have been proposed as a solution to the problem of making a computer available to clinicians at the patient bedside for direct entry of data. Potential problems can arise with these devices including:

• Power supplies: need to be securely attached to the cart. If not, these can fall off during movement and break. A potential solution is to add a velcro strap to the cart so the power supply can be attached.
• Make sure you have high quality wheels on the carts. One solution is to use large "roller blade" type polyurethane wheels.
• Make sure the carts have a large enough area to allow the user's to have a mouse and potentially enough space to let down a clip board or other paper-based charting device.
• Keyboards should have clear plastic covers to allow housekeeping staff to be able to easily clean these devices at least once per shift and more often if spills or obvious contamination result. See Neely AN, Sittig DF. Basic microbiologic and infection control information to reduce the potential transmission of pathogens to patients via computer hardware. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2002 Sep-Oct;9(5):500-8.