I run a PTP network which is reasonably well behaved
I am a solo practioner with one full time, one almost full time, and one half day a week staff members.
I have four exam rooms, but use two for typical days
The system has grown out of old pieces and new acquistions. I start with a Netgear RangeMax wireless router (G). There are three hard wired PC's. Reception/MA uses one PC, my other staff member uses one or the other (or both) of the other PC's at any given time. One is in the old "chart room" (getting smaller and less meaningful as more data gets compiled in AC. Good place for the large shredder!). This point has a Netgear 5 port ethernet switch. About $25. This PC also has a ScanSnap scanner attatched. At this switch I run a Brother 7820N network fax printer. I keep the sound on and can hear the connection from the exam rooms. Patients love this. Keeps them on my side when the pharmacy tells them I never sent the prescription.
I use a separate standalone network hard drive for my AC database. This is also connected at this switch. This gets backed up to all hardwired PC's daily with SyncBack (FREE).
I use a Gateway CX210S convertable tablet that I carry with me ($1000). A bit heavier than I expected due to the battery, but has run essentially flawlessly for a year now. I keep the charger in an exam room and plufg in at lunch or during an examif runing low. I use the digitizer pen almost exclusively, although typing would be marginally faster for me. I can hold the tablet and face the patient and make eye contact while talking and writing. Once again, they are impressed with the technology.
I have an older laptop in a front room for convenience. It is only wireless because I haven't upgraded the number of access points available at the router.
I use a network printer (Brother $100) for radiology, and PT orders, notes, and any printed prescriptions and the printer connected to the reception PC has green paper for lab orders. The documents are ready for the patient before they reach the desk for check out. I can print from any attatched printers.
I have considered putting the database on the Convertible because there can be a few second lag when switching tabs in AC, but everything else is very fast. Old scanned records of 5 mb load quickly in Adobe.
Ideally I would put the RangeMax in a central location, but everything is wired in one corner of the building. My site is over 3000 square feet and I have no signal problems.
I do find tht my speed increases if I run the AC database tool every few hours. I don't know if this is an MS Access fragmentation issue, or in my head.
I use cable modem at the router and access epocrates, lit searches, etc... for patients in real time.
Happy Holidays to all!
