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. 2005 Aug 16;18(4):316–325. doi: 10.1007/s10278-005-6975-6

Table 3.

Wet-Read PDA Usage Survey Results

Total Respondents to the Second Part: 9
Breakdown of ED residents' access methods for wet-reads during the PDA evaluation period. The percentages indicate the amount of the time they felt they used a specific means for obtaining wet-reads
  0% 1–25% 26–50% 51–75% 76–100%
 PDA 3 3 1 2
 PACS 2 7
 Printouts 7 2
Other comments (both positive and negative) regarding the wet-read PDA application
 (1) I actually like to view the films
 (2) Great when worked
 (3) I always want to look at the actual films, so using wet-read PDA was best at notifying me that readings are actually available
 (4) Not as useful as you still need to see the actual film
What was the biggest problem or frustration you had with the pilot PDA itself (not including the software applications installed on it)?
 Too slow 2
 Awkward to use 1
 Quality and readability of screen 1
 Difficulties connecting to wireless network 4
 Battery life 3
 Delicate/hard to carry 3
Did you feel the pilot PDA saved you time during your ED rotation?
 Yes—without a doubt 1
 Yes 3
 Maybe 2
 No 3
Do you feel the use of the pilot PDA has improved patient care? Please describe
 (1) No, mainly saved me small amounts of time
 (2) Yes
 (3) Yes, faster service
 (4) Yes
 (5) Would if given on inpatient wards for labs, radiology reads
 (6) I am unsure as to whether overall quality improved with the PDA, given that I need PACS regardless of PDA wet-reads, however, efficiency for floor teams may be increased by this idea because PACS access there is much poorer
 (7) No
 (8) Helped when access to PACS limited, otherwise prefer to look at films
 In your opinion, could other ED staff members use the pilot PDA? If yes, who and how? Please describe
 (1) It would me more useful if there was other info such as lab values
 (2) Yes, orders could be on them and nurses could use them
 (3) Yes
 (4) Yes, but better in inpatient setting
 (5) This can potentially be used by the nursing staff, however, it may be more practical if the patient list can be customized to only those for whom the nurse cares
For patient/clinical care, would you prefer to use software programs on a handheld device (assuming one is provided for you by the hospital) or via a dedicated desktop PC?
 PDA—without a doubt 3
 Both they are useful in different ways 6
Thinking ahead to the future, please rank the desirability of the following features that could be included on the next generation of the pilot PDA
Feature Average Ranking (1 = most useful, 6 = least useful)
 Receiving lab results 1
 Receiving X-ray images 2.67
 Providing order entry for tests or consults 2.8
 Incorporating a problem list 5.8
 Using the PDA for order entry for medications 3.4
 Entering patient information 5.2