The more I read about it the more I'm thinking the iPad just isn't there yet as far as patient charting/notes and patient files. Is that safe to say at this point?
There are several obstacles to using iPad for patient charting.
Browser
Let's say your hospital keeps patient records on a web server and all you need is a browser to view and change them. You would think the iPad could do this and for the most part you would be right. But because it is a multi-touch device, some controls you might use for editing over the web will not work. For example, users have reported being able to use the rich editor at Wordpress.
Files (viewing)
Let's say your patient records are pdf files. You can view them on the iPad native in the OS but only over the network, but software like goodreader and airsharing hd makes it easy to carry around files with you. Goodreader is a much better value at $1.
Files (managing)
Now let's say you want to edit some patient progress notes in Pages. You want to upload the file so others can see it. Sorry. Can't do that. There is no way to get a file out of Pages except via usb cable using iTunes or using email. Does your hospital allow patient records to be transmitted by email?
Note taking
There are applications for taking notes. One is Pages for $9.99. Others are available as well. Some support drawing illustrations and others are text only. Only a handful support handwriting.
Typing
As a multitouch device, the iPad will very likely frustrate any touch typist. When you are reaching for i, you will get u or o. When you are thinking you are typing e, you are getting aaaaaaaa or pppppppppppp because an unused finger got too close to the capacitive touchscreen.
Holding the device
When you are walking around with the device, it is easy to carry in the Apple case, but without a case it is slippery and surprisingly heavy and easy to drop. If you are typing, you will want to put the device down somewhere rather than hold it in one hand and peck with the other hand which is very slow.
Conclusion
I'm sure there will be an app for patient progress notes. There just isn't one yet. I'm sure Apple will finally back down and remove some of the obstacles to managing files wirelessly without resorting to a usb cable with itunes or email. But today, the iPad has some serious shortcomings for managing patient care data and you have to be motivated to make it work. It's too bad, really because a tablet device like the iPad seems like a perfect choice for such a task and it's limitations are largely due to software constraints imposed by Apple more than anything else. This is good news and bad news. It's bad news for somebody trying to do real work today, but it's good news since the limitations are all software based and it's likely solutions will emerge over time.
