The Panasonic Toughbook CF-C1 will bring major benefits to community healthcare workers and patients alike, claimed NHS leaders speaking at BT's unveiling of the Toughbook as a key component of its Mobile Health Worker solution.
The CF-C1, a rugged yet lightweight notebook that can be used in clamshell or tablet form, was designed with the healthcare worker in mind, using specific feedback from the NHS.
Along with a hand-free ergonomic strap that enables users to enter information with one hand, the CF-C1 features a multi-touch screen that can even be used whilst wearing gloves. The touchscreen works in clamshell as well as in tablet mode and the toughened triple hinge keeps the screen rigid while the user types.
The CF-C1 also offers users worry-free operation with up to 10 hours' battery life with its twin hot swappable-battery, ensuring healthcare workers can spend the day at appointments without having to worry about running out of power. For the transmission of vital health data, the Toughbook CF-C1 comes with 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for operation from a patient’s home or on the move.
And the unit has been built to last the rigours of NHS life. The device includes a rubberised, disinfectable hand-free ergonomic strap, has a spill-resistant keyboard and can suffer drops from a height of up to 76cm even when in use.
Trevor Wright, Deputy Chief Information Officer at Yorkshire and the Humber Strategic Health Authority said the introduction of the CF-C1 would be another major step forward in using "technology effectively to transform quality and performance in the NHS."
His Authority has a centralised agreement for the provision of BT's Mobile Health Worker solution to drive economies of scale and share best practice across the region.
Under the scheme, there are currently 2,500 Toughbook CF-T7 and CF-T8 models being used by healthcare workers across the region as part of BT's Mobile Health Worker solution. Kirklees Community Healthcare Services has deployed 600 Toughbooks for its frontline staff and says it has transformed the way its healthcare workers operate.
Robert Flack, Managing Director at Kirklees CHC, said: "This is absolutely the most fundamental, critical change that we could have made. We now have the technology to deliver even better care in people's homes and the feedback from patients and staff has been great. Plus we can be more productive and save money."
Kirklees CHS has seen that by using the Toughbooks, as an integral part BT's Mobile Health Worker solution, staff can now spend more time with patients and less time in the office - making an additional one or two patient visits a day. The quality of information recorded in patient records has also improved because the healthcare worker can input information alongside the patient and travel costs have been cut, saving an estimated £600,000 a year.
And both Kirklees CHS and Yorkshire and the Humber SHA believe that the new Toughbook CF-C1 model will make BT's Mobile Health Worker solution even more effective.
"We have had regular meetings with Panasonic to help develop the product further and they have been very responsive in meeting the healthcare workers' requests for enhancements such as the tablet mode. There can be no doubt that this product is truly fit for purpose," said Trevor Wright.
About Panasonic
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded revenue of €67.14B for the year ended March 31, 2010. The company's shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE: PC) stock exchanges. For more information on the company and the Panasonic brand, visit the company's website at http://panasonic.net.