 |
| Doctor cell phone |
Kaiser Health News has an article about how use of mobile technology
devices by the doctors may be endangering their patients at work.
The article quotes example of Beth
Israel Deaconess
Medical Center,
a teaching hospital for Harvard Medical
School. Beth Israel is considered
one of the most technically advanced hospitals in the country.
The hospital seems to allow its employees the use of mobile
devices such as smart phones and iPads
at work. On top of that most of such devices are personal and belong to
individual doctors. The results can be distraction to doctors caused by texts,
e-mails, Facebook messages, tweets and similar issues. In some cases such
distractions have led to severe health complications for the patients.
The article quotes a 2010 survey where over 50 percent of medical
technicians who operate heart-lung machines were using cell phone, texting or
checking emails while at work. It also quotes other studies showing increased clinical
errors because of the use of such personal mobile devices.
It is a well know fact that the use of cell phone or similar
mobile devices is distracting and can lead to accidents. For that reasons, a
number of states have proposed laws banning the use of cell phone while driving.
One would think an advanced hospital like Beth Israel would be aware of such
common issues and commonsense solutions.
The solution is very simple like anywhere else. In most work
places, use of personal devices and conducting personal affairs while at work
is prohibited. The reasons may be as simple as business security to wasting
time and resources of that business. Just because employees are doctors and are
getting paid well should not exempt them form such policies. In fact, it should
be vigorously enforced on them because they are dealing with health and life
issues and, if distracted, they can cause permanent damage to a person
(patient).
----
Reference
