Business Systems Blog

Ambulance Victoria has been utilising Panasonic’s rugged Toughbooks in the field since 2004. An in-depth evaluation of a range of devices saw the Toughbook come out on top for its ability to meet Ambulance Victoria’s technical requirements, along with its weight, screen size, long battery life with easy battery swap out, rugged qualities and Wi-Fi®,  capabilities.

The Toughbooks have been used to access VACIS®, a world-leading emergency electronic patient care record system that paves the way for research to further enhance ambulance performance. Using the Toughbooks, paramedics can download information from medical devices used in the field like cardiac monitors and defibrillators. Upon arrival at a hospital, this information is then shared to continue assisting in emergency patient care. Wireless technology is used to synchronise the Toughbook with the central VACIS database.

Now, Ambulance Victoria is updating its Toughbook stock with CF-19 and CF-C1 models to meet its increasing need for 3G-enabled units to interface with other systems. When a paramedic is responding to an emergency, VACIS allows the patient’s care record (PCR) to be accessed. Part of the PCR is prepopulated via 3G with dispatch information which can be printed or transmitted to a web service accessible during patient handover at the hospital.

Noelle McCabe, Manager Solution Delivery, Information & Technology, Ambulance Victoria, explained the benefits of the Toughbook and the reason for the upgrade, saying, “A paramedic’s primary focus is the patient they are treating and unlike most office-based workers, attention to the care of a computer is not a high priority. The Toughbook’s hot swappable batteries are essential for paramedics who work long shifts and do not have the opportunity to recharge the Toughbook after 8 hours.

”The original fleet of units were not 3G enabled, however due to enhancements to the VACIS system, a real-time interface from our dispatching centre was a desirable feature for us and which we believe further aids our paramedics in the field who before VACIS handwrote patient records.”

Matthew Connolly, Product Manager Toughbook, Panasonic Australia, details the rugged credentials of the Toughbook, explaining ,“Panasonic CF-19 Toughbooks are built with a magnesium alloy frame and a shock-mounted hard drive which can withstand knocks and heavy vibrations, and survive falls from up to 180cm, whilst the CF-C1 Toughbooks are resistant to up to 177 millilitres of liquid spills and can withstand 100-kgf pressurised vibration which is great for field workers such as ambulance staff who may drop and knock their devices when working at a fast pace while on duty.”

As well, the fact that Toughbooks are dust and water resistant and have high brightness screens, ideal for both poorly and brightly lit environments, make them an essential tool for Ambulance Victoria, assisting paramedics in providing high quality patient care

Wi-Fi® is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance

With the purchase of 47 Panasonic Toughbooks, Sydney Adventist Hospital (SAH) has moved into the digital e-Health age. Offering a range of advantages, SAH’s implementation of e-Health is set to significantly enhance the way health information is shared. The Toughbooks will help the hospital move towards its goals of a paperless environment and to minimise the risk of human error.

The use of electronic records allows medical information to be easily accessible to medical professionals when and where they need it – from patients’ bedsides to doctors’ offices through to corridors and diagnostic areas. The mobile technology used needs to be able to withstand the knocks, drops and spills you would expect in a busy medical environment.

The 47 Toughbook CF-C1 tablet PCs are being used by doctors and nurses to access an in-house clinical information system called SanCare. SanCare is integrated with SAH’s Patient Administration System and billing system, and supports important functions such as admission, discharge and transfer, medical progress notes and patient observations, diagnostic test ordering and referrals.

The CF-C1 is the world’s lightest 12.1 inch convertible tablet PC making it the ideal business rugged solution for SAH. It features a special drainage system that protects the keyboard and interior from spillages, and can withstand falls from a height of up to 76cm without being damaged, protecting the hard disk from harm.

Chris Williams, CIO of SAH, said that the combination of ruggedness, light weight and generous battery life was important in the decision to go with the CF-C1 solution. “We were looking for something that would be rugged enough to survive the demands of everyday hospital life, but that was also not too heavy as the staff needed to be able to carry them around easily. The other important factor that was a must-have for us was a reasonable battery life, so that battery changing wouldn’t disrupt the shift too much.”

Panasonic’s Toughbook CF-C1 was the solution SAH had been looking for. “In our opinion, any technology that positively assists clinical physicians is definitely worth investing in, as it supports better care for everyone,” said Williams.

Find out more here.

Telstra is so impressed with the Panasonic Toughbook rugged notebook that it has refreshed its Toughbook fleet – to assist in providing and maintaining superior customer service. The country’s leading telecommunications and information services provider is currently rolling out over 3,000 new fully rugged Toughbook CF-19Mk5s to replace its legacy CF-19 fleet deployed back in 2008. These fully-rugged models are used by Telstra Service Delivery Communication Technicians in the field.

Fully-rugged Toughbook CF-19 satisfies requirements for durability and reliable performance in Honda car workshops Australia-wide.

Panasonic’s Powerful Toughbook CF-53 Notebook Maximises Productivity and Reliability for Mobile Users

We’re delighted to announce the release of a new semi-rugged Toughbook.  The Panasonic Toughbook CF-53 Notebook delivers powerful desktop computing for mobile workers where a standard commercial-grade laptop does not provide sufficient durability.