Comparison of two personal-computer-based mobile devices to support pharmacists' clinical documentation

Two personal-computer (PC)-based mobile devices used to support electronic clinical pharmacy documentation on two decentralized units at a large academic medical center were compared.

A five-week, two-phase pilot study was performed to compare a laptop computer on a mobile cart ("computer on wheels," or COW) with a tablet PC for pharmacist preference and ability to support electronic clinical documentation. The study was performed on the inpatient transplant unit and the pediatric hematology-oncology unit. At the end of each study phase, participating pharmacists were asked to complete a survey to ascertain their satisfaction with the mobile device tested in that period.

Eight pharmacists participated in the study and completed the survey. Only one pharmacist agreed that the COW was nonintrusive and easy to maneuver. In contrast, all eight pharmacists found the tablet PC nonintrusive and easy to maneuver. Eight pharmacists agreed that the tablet PC was satisfactory overall, and four agreed that the COW was satisfactory overall.

Pharmacists preferred a tablet PC over a mobile cart with a laptop computer for supporting electronic clinical documentation. Limitations in software functionality and the fast pace of multidisciplinary rounds on one patient unit forced pharmacists to retain some form of paper documentation, whereas the slower pace on another unit allowed paper documentation to be abandoned.