Mobile devices linked to laboratory information systems
have been shown to provide real-time event notification
to HCWs10 and decrease the number of HCWs
exposed to patients with TB. The availability of laboratory
data delivered via expedited notification allows attending
physicians, nurses, residents, and fellows of a
university hospital to react promptly and efficiently
in containing the infection and minimizing transmission.
Tate et al,11 in a study that evaluated the effectiveness
of using wireless technology to transmit
alphanumeric alerts of patient-specific critical laboratory
results, indicated that, without a pager, 67% of
nurses were unaware of the critical values at the
time they were reported. This may result from the mobility
of these workers, which prevents them from
receiving notification without the use of wireless
mobile technology.