The second printed label — or perhaps a printed wristband — is given to the patient. Later, patients use their smartphone cameras to scan the printed codes to access their medical records and test results. “It’s like going to a restaurant and scanning a barcode instead of using a paper menu,” Einspar-Faletti says.
Unlike a laptop, which most often relies on a Wi-Fi connection, the mobile device can access a broadband cellular network. And it’s completely sealed with a higher-grade plastic than the kind used for typical cellphones, allowing for frequent wipe-downs with disinfectant. The screen is designed so that providers may wear gloves while using it.
Providing Improved Access for Everyone
Not all drive-through testing happens at healthcare facilities, and some patients may not have an existing relationship with a healthcare system or have an electronic health record.
Mobility technology provides an advantage. Zebra mobile computers allow providers to manually enter a patient’s identifying information, but their software also can bypass the manual entry of data altogether.
Instead, users can scan the barcode on the back of a driver’s license to automatically retrieve that information — just like a grocery store clerk might scan that same barcode to confirm a shopper’s age.
“We have developed a method to provide people with a safe and efficient way to get tested during the pandemic,” says Einspar-Faletti, noting that the technology has been deployed by large U.S. health systems and already has “made an impact in a challenging situation.”
Testing workflows enabled by mobile technology may also be scalable to meet future challenges. If healthcare facilities and pharmacies become distribution points for a COVID-19 vaccine, handheld mobile computers could be a valuable tool for managing assets and patients.
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