iPad In The Emergency Room

A few weeks ago, we reported that first year students at Stanford School of Medicine were using iPads for their studies. Today, there is a report in the Chicago Sun-Times about how Apple’s device is being used in emergency rooms. According to the report:

Not only does the iPad allow doctors to view electronic medical records, wherever they are, it also gives them a way to show patients their X-rays, EKGs and other lab tests on an easy-to-read screen. Plus, it's lighter and has a longer battery life than many laptops, making it convenient for doctors to take on rounds.

This is a must read article. The iPad is changing how medical professionals diagnose a patient's symptoms. Thanks to its size, mobility and long battery life the device is becoming an essential tool in the emergency room for some. Dr. Eric Nussbaum, the emergency room chief at Chicago's Metro South told the Times:

"With this, I'm back to the convenience of being in the patient's room, talking to them and plugging in my orders right then and there," he said.

Amazing things are happening with a device that hasn't even been on the market one year.