The Department of Medicine Palm Project

Changes in health care have resulted in new demands for clinical information systems to monitor procedures and outcomes, provide decision support, and manage patient care. Importantly, the handheld computer allows our housestaff access to computerized medical information in a format that is both useful and usable.

The Saint Louis University School of Medicine training program is committed to exploiting new technology such as the handheld computing platform to provide exceptional patient care while promoting efficient health care delivery.

Accordingly, each of our housestaff is provided a bundle of  computer software at the beginning of the training program. The handheld system integrates seamlessly with other computers with a direct connection, portable modem, infrared beam or wireless transmission.

These systems provide access to vital clinical information (updated daily) with complete mobility at the point of care. Moreover, the software solution facilitates the use of evidence-based, real-time decision support.

Early Benefits. Potential medication errors have been reduced by over 50 percent. In addition, these systems permit alignment of program initiatives with ACGME core competencies such as the monitoring of resident performance and clinical procedures. Survey data from our institution indicates that between 30-60 minutes of physician time is saved per day.

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