iPads infiltrate hospitals

A consumer group is warning users the much anticipated iPad may be loaded with data use charges.

AAP

Victorian doctors and nurses could be equipped with iPads while undertaking their hospital rounds in future, if a trial of wireless technology is successful.

From January next year, 500 graduate doctors, nurses and advanced practice nurses would be given iPads to use when treating patients in hospital, Health Minister Daniel Andrews said.

The iPads would connect to safe wireless networks within the hospitals, without interrupting sensitive electronic equipment.

Mr Andrews said with the burgeoning use of and reliance on technology and technological aids in health, it made sense that health services would be influenced by access to new technology.

"The younger group of students and graduates of the health professions have grown up with technology all around them," he said.

"It is these young graduates that will be at the forefront of the introduction of a range of technology-based changes to the way patient information, diagnostics and treatments are performed and recorded."

Mr Andrews said the users would be able to tap into health information resources and web applications run by their hospitals.

The pilot would be assessed before it was expanded.