Brian I have an opinion about tablets, (and we all know about opinions) but even so, I have wasted so much money that I must stick my two cents worth in here. We bought some tablets, they seem so cool, like the paper chart in a way, cradle in your arm, write with a pen. Then we spent nearly two thousand dollars on mechanical arms that would allow us to have a 'thin-client' in the room. (because our rooms are also not configured for a PC in the room.) Then we tried some lap tops. Currently I have a Fujitsu "T4220". It is no faster or really any better than some generic $800 Laptops that we use.
My point is this (everyone sighs, "finally"); you are dealing with a computer database and the software that runs it. You cannot input data without a keyboard and a mouse. The tablet is mostly too damn slow. The computer in the room opens your system to access by the patient, (and the patients children!) unless you log out every time you leave the room. That makes the whole process too damn slow. My little Fujitsu is fancy, but I don't use the tablet feature except on rare occasions. (like showing motorcycle pictures to someone!)
The simple laptop is so cheap you can afford one as an experiment and you will probably be able to function with it so well that you will not need more than that basic laptop. When you enjoy the ability to chart a bit while letting the patient talk, and you write scripts and use all the other features of AC you will have made the change. I use a regular Mayo stand (it serves as a heat sink also!) for the laptop and the paper chart.
