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Improving communication in level 1 trauma centers: replacing pagers with smartphones
Bellal Joseph1, Viraj Pandit, Mohammad Khreiss
1Division of Trauma, Critical Care, and Acute Care Surgery, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85727, USA.
Summary
Healthcare providers find smartphones highly beneficial in trauma settings, significantly improving communication speed, quality, and response times. These wireless devices enhance patient care coordination and serve as valuable teaching tools.
Area of Science:
- Medical Informatics
- Trauma Surgery
- Healthcare Communication Technology
Background:
- Healthcare communication is evolving, with 90% of providers using cellular phones.
- Smartphones offer superior information transfer compared to pagers, ideal for acute trauma.
- Wireless devices enable rapid, coordinated patient information sharing among trauma teams.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate healthcare provider experiences with smartphones in a Level 1 trauma center.
- To assess the impact of smartphone use on communication efficiency and patient care.
- To determine the utility of smartphones as a teaching tool in trauma surgery.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to trauma surgeons, residents, and nurse practitioners.
- Responses were collected on a 5-point Likert scale.
- Data analysis was performed using SPSS software.
Main Results:
- 94% of respondents favored wireless communication in trauma settings.
- 98% reported improved communication speed and quality; 96% found smartphones useful for teaching.
- 90% noted enhanced physician response times; 88% were aware of HIPAA regulations.
Conclusions:
- Smartphones are user-friendly and enhance real-time communication in acute trauma.
- They improve patient follow-up and serve as effective educational tools.
- Clear guidelines are necessary to ensure patient data privacy and security.
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