Critical care nurses are confronted with a wide variety of information technology in their practice. These technologies help improve information flow and, when effective, ultimately improve patients’ care. The hospital infrastructure of wires and interfaces to machines and information systems allows the free flow of data between the intensive care unit (ICU) and other departments. Unfortunately, these technologies are not readily available during transport of critically ill patients between facilities.

In this article, we discuss a study based on the development of a system (MobiDoc system) that uses global positioning system (GPS) technology to support and enhance the flow of information about key transfer events and location from an ambulance transport team to the receiving unit. The purpose of the study was to test a method of improving the communication of transport information, including patients’ arrival time and clinical status, thus reducing on-hold or waiting time for care providers. The...

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