Technology shapes and defines the way many people live. It influences the way individuals think, communicate, and assists in many jobs across the world.  Mobile computing is no exception and plays a vital role in contributing to these thoughts. Without mobile computing, information would be delayed in getting relayed, documents would have to be mailed, and much life affecting information would be put on hold.  The advances in computing technology have made tremendous impacts in the world of nursing.  Mobile computing allows for patient information to be at the fingertips of physicians, patients are able to track their medical history, and healthcare professionals have easier access to contacting patients.  Whether the contact is through a conventional phone call, text message or email, the reality is there are numerous options available at the touch of a button.  This summary will discuss the types of applications that should be allowed for point-of-need information for decision-making in practice, understanding mobile computing, history of mobile devices, what devices are most helpful, how mobile computing is helpful in research, and understanding the security issues involved with mobile computing.

                                 History of Mobile and Tablet Devices

            Understanding technology, computers, mobile computing, WIFI, internet access, operating systems, smartphones, tablet devices, and Bluetooth capabilities can be an overwhelming task for anyone.  To make it more confusing, computers and mobile devices are very similar in ways, but also very different in many ways.  Although many people have become obsessed with smartphone technology over the past 10 years, the smartphone, tablet and even smart watches actually developed in the 1970’s and 1980’s. The first PDA design was introduced in the 1980’s, Apple developed the message pad in 1983, Palm-pilots were introduced in 1996, and IBM introduced the first smartphone, known as the Simon, in 1993 (Sewell, 2019).

                                         Mobile Applications for Practice

            If a new organization is looking into applying mobile computing, as a means of improving patient care, there are many factors that need to be dealt with to ensure these applications are benefiting the organization, as well as the patients.  The applications should be known as reliable and have proper credentials. The following five resources fit into these criteria and serve as a beneficial assistant to any health care provider.  The first mobile application is AHRQ ePSS.  This electronic application allows providers to interact with patients, provides timely decision support in clinical decisions, and allows provider access to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Information here can be searched by specific patient characteristics, age, sex, and many behavioral risk factors. This application can be downloaded onto a smartphone or tablet. This is also a free download (About ePSS, 2018).  The second application is Skyscape.  Skyscape has listing of drug books, diagnostic testing, access to medical terminology, and access to medical manuals. It allows easy access to published medical journals, nursing journals, and allows for data entry. There is a fee for this service, but for a large organization, it does offer a group discount (Skyscape Medpresso, 2019).  The third application is Epocrates Rx.  Epocrates Rx is a drug database with access to millions of drugs worldwide.  It also provides the reader with access to drug contraindications and what drugs to be on the lookout for, concerning allergies.  This is a free download to any smartphone or tablet product (See Epocrates, 2016). The fourth application is Lexicomp.  This application allows health professionals access to clinical references, drug information, natural remedies, and drug calculations.  This site has an option for a free download trail period, but the app would have to be purchased after the trial periods ends to continue the service (Lexicomp Mobile Apps, 2019).  The final site to be discussed is Pepid.  This application offers resources for clinical nurses in critical care.  It allows the healthcare team access to drug calculations, diagnostics, has a pill identifier, and access ICD-10 codes.  This site also offers a free trial period, but after two weeks the application must be purchased in order to keep having the service (PEPID, 2019).  All of the sites mentioned are considered reliable by many hospitals and physicians around the world.  They all offer fast results with just the click of a buttons on your smartphone or tablet.  

                                     Security for Mobile Computing

            In this day and age, nothing is safe from a thief.  Whether your information is hacked or the user loses their personal electronic device, all items of value must be kept safe. This includes information you have saved on your mobile device.  It is recommended to use passwords that are not easily accessible.  Use a password that is 10-12 characters long, something the user can remember, buy not easily identifiable, and be creative when making up a password (Sewell, 2019).  Most importantly, always ensure the institution is using a safe WIFI connection and do not let anyone have access to your personal password.  Although it may incidental, thieves are always on the lookout for an easy opportunity to hack a system and obtain a person’s valuable information.  

               Implications for Advanced Nursing Practice and Research

            From the previous information on mobile applications, we see the vast opportunities for implications in advanced nursing practice and research.  With easy access at your fingertips, the possibilities are endless.  With technology always improving, there will always be more intuitive and better options of technology available for the advanced practice nurse. We live in a world where the average population age is getting older and more patients have more complex issues to deal with (Matthew-Maich et al. 2016).  As nurse leaders, providers, and researchers, each one must ready embrace the challenges ahead and have an open mind when it comes to accepting to new advancements in technology.

  Conclusion

            This paper has discussed many variables in the world of mobile computing.  These ideas cannot be taken lightly and each healthcare member must actively engage in understanding the new concepts that are being developed daily.  It is every medical professional’s personal responsibility to gain the new knowledge needed in order to provide the highest quality of healthcare possible.  

Matthew-Maich, N., Harris, L., Ploeg, J., Markle-Reid, M., Valaitis, R., Ibrahim, S., Gafni, A., I   saacs, S. (2016). Designing, implementing, and evaluating mobile health technologies for        managing chronic conditions in older adults: A scoping review. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 4(2), e29. doi:10.2196/mhealth.5127 

PEPID - Clinical Decision Support. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.pepid.com/

See Epocrates. (2016). Retrieved fromhttps://landing.athenahealth.com/epocrates-   clinicals?cmp=27474&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=epocrates&ut        m_type=p&KCID=_k_Cj0KCQiAm5viBRD4ARIsADGUT24UxLviDyEA9KFszxqHze            nKFUencibLCWvmcI9M2gAJUt3iYMuOoagaAl8KEALw_wcB_k_&utm_salesforce=7            01G0000001dx9UIAQ&gclid=Cj0KCQiAm5viBRD4ARIsADGUT24UxLviDyEA9KFs            zxqHzenKFUencibLCWvmcI9M2gAJUt3iYMuOoagaAl8KEALw_wcB

Sewell, J. (2019). Informatics and nursing: Opportunities and challenges (6th ed.). Philadelphia:   Wolters Kluwer.

Skyscape Medpresso, I. (2019). Skyscape Medical Library | Mobile & Web. Retrieved from           https://www.skyscape.com/

United States Department of Health and Human Services. About ePSS. (2018). Retrieved from      https://epss.ahrq.gov/PDA/about.jsp