Bedside terminals--bone or bane for patient and healthcare worker

The problem of ever increasing data needs in hospitals, particularly as clinical and financial systems merge, raises the issues of where to put the terminals so that all members of the team can have prompt access. The bedside appears to be a logical place. This article has raised the question, is placing the terminal at the bedside in the best interest of the patient and the healthcare workers? Do we really want to decentralize all decision making (other than in emergencies) to where we provide hands-on care? If the answer is yes, then the placement of the terminal vis a vis the family and patient needs is a prime consideration. Work stations incorporating terminals that revolve from patient room to corridor may be one solution. Re-thinking how nurses organize and do their work may be another. Examining the costs of installing and staff training in relation to anticipated increased productivity may indicate different and new approaches. Analyzing how physicians utilize the chart, process information and write progress notes and their comfort level in doing so at the bedside is another. Of this, however, I am sure, these are questions and solutions that need to be addressed and answered before we rush into costly and ambitious system configurations.