Point-of-Care Frequently Asked Questions
HomecareNet offers a point-of-care system, HomecareNet Mobile, that utilizes the Windows Mobile operating system to provide for
immediate collection of home visit documentation. HomecareNet Mobile allows users of any discipline to record
OASIS and assessment data, clinical notes, medication information and other key information during a visit to a patient's home.
The HomecareNet Mobile system consists of three components: the Host (server/synchronization), the PDA (field clinician) and
the Viewer (office/workstation):
- The Host communicates with the PDA in the field via standard or wireless phone technology, polling each device for new or revised
data and updating the Host database. The Host then checks the database for information not yet downloaded to the PDA and transmits
this information, as well as any new messages. The Host is designed to be accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and to perform
synchronizations (syncs) automatically.
- HomecareNet Mobile's PDA component is a Windows Mobile application, enabling the user to record and access patient data using a stylus-based
interface. Users can collect data such as visit length, activities performed, patient status (including full infusion modules, OASIS and HCFA 485 data
collection), mileage, comments and an electronic signature from the patient and clinician.
- The Viewer component is a Windows-based product installed on a PC that is integrated with HomecareNet. It provides access to the Host database for clinical supervisors
to view and edit information, generate reports, and send and receive messages.
Following are some frequently asked questions about HomecareNet Mobile technology and use:
Windows Mobile Devices
What kinds of devices are available for use with the HomecareNet Mobile system?
HomecareNet Mobile can run on many Windows Mobile devices, provided they run Windows Mobile 5.0 or higher, have at least
128MB of memory and 400MHz processor (or faster), and a touch screen with a minimum screen size of 240x320.
See HAI's list of recommended Windows Mobile devices.
Why should I consider using a Windows Mobile device rather than a laptop?
The HomecareNet Mobile developers investigated many different solutions for point-of-care data collection and decided
on Windows Mobile devices for a number of reasons. The devices are substantially less expensive and more
portable than laptops. Mobile users can recharge their devices in their cars between visits and can sync quickly.
Also, because of the intuitive nature of the interface, it allows for substantially less training for technicians
learning how to use a Windows Mobile device and the HomecareNet Mobile software.
How much data can a Windows Mobile device store? Can it store an entire patient database so that someone
on call can access any patient?
The newest devices have at least 128MB of memory and can hold a very large amount of patient-related data. This may be best
illustrated by a current client that has a group of devices that hold and receive updates on a patient population of more than
1,000 patients, which includes general patient information as well as the medication history for all of the patients
(roughly 10,000 medication records). An on-call staff can be configured to receive all patients on a temporary basis or, if
needed, can be set to receive all patients on every sync.
How many nurses can share one Windows Mobile device?
Any number of users can share a Windows Mobile device. This must be balanced by the ability to manage the device between the users.
Plus, the user must enter and complete their encounter information on the same device that the encounter was originally entered on.
HAI has several clients that have what are referred to as PRN devices. When a unit is out of action, the PRN unit is issued to a nurse
for use until the device is repaired/replaced. The nurse completes all documentation on the PRN device until the repair is complete
or replacement is available and then exchanges devices. Another example is in an inpatient hospice setting where the device remains
at the nursing station. Clinicians working each shift use the device to access and enter information as needed. Each clinician completes
the documentation under his or her staff name prior to the end of each shift.
Connectivity
What options are available for clinicians to send data from their Windows Mobile devices to the HomecareNet Mobile system
in the office?
There are four options available. The first is dial-up; the others involve use of a virtual private network along with one of four
options: a PC with broadband connectivity, a wireless modem, and a WiFi connection. Users can also directly connect via a laptop set up as a
HomecareNet workstation. See our
HomecareNet Mobile connectivity options.
At what rate is data transmitted between host and PDA? When using modem/phone line? With a WiFi connection?
Modem line: 56k modem will deliver roughly 35-45k depending on connection.
Wireless: 3G rates published are in the 40-60k range. May be lower at times.
WiFi: Roughly in the 1.5MB range
Security
How does HomecareNet Mobile security work? What protects the data if a nurse loses a device?
See our detailed HomecareNet Mobile security documentation.
Data Flow
How does data flow between the Host and PDA?
Once the device is installed, configured, authorized to start, it then has the basic data elements with which to create an encounter,
e. g. staff, patient and form templates. The nurse creates the encounter and then syncs:
- The device connects and is authenticated
- The new and changed data is retrieved from device and evaluated for completeness. If incomplete (e.g. lost connection),
the sync is ended and the data remains the same as it was prior to the attempted sync.
- HomecareNet Mobile data is processed into the server database
- The Host pulls current data from the database based on staff rights (new or changed patients and updated staff schedules)
- The Host sends (downloads) data from previous step to the device
- The sync process ends. The Host processes and writes an error log and sync log history.
Licensing
How is the HomecareNet Mobile product licensed?
Licensing - and thus pricing - is based on the total number of devices that will be in use. If staff share a device, that device is
counted only once.
For each five devices you license, one user license for the Viewer is automatically included. For each fifteen
devices you license, one Sync Host license is automatically included.
Is an HomecareNet Mobile user counted as an HomecareNet user for the purpose of counting licensed HomecareNet users?
No. Most clinicians who use HomecareNet Mobile will not need access to HomecareNet, so you need not count those users when determining how
many concurrent users to license for HomecareNet.
For more information about HomecareNet Mobile, contact Healthcare Automation at (800) 738-8850 or
sales@healthcare-automation.com.
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