SLO Eye Associates and Cybernet:
Keyboard PCs for Ophthalmology Offices
San Luis Obispo Eye Associates upgraded from a manual, paper-based records system to an EMR system in 2011, and needed to find a compact PC solution for their ophthalmology exam rooms. After considering a tablet, they settled on Cybernet’s ZPC-D5
keyboard PCs to run their EMR software. The ophthalmology technicians and physicians can now quickly and accurately enter EMR data and access medical images as needed during patient visits, helping to keep everyone on schedule. The Practice Administrator was very pleased with the price/performance of the ZPC-D5s, and with their exceptional reliability, found them to be the perfect solution for the practice.
The Customer
San Luis Obispo (SLO) Eye Associates was formed in 1995, merging three ophthalmologic practices in the Central Coast area of California. The physicians of SLO Eye Associates are leaders in their respective fields and specialties, and use state-of-the art equipment and techniques to deliver the best, most up-to-date ophthalmologic care available. Their full-service practice treats these conditions: Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma, Dry Eye, and Adult Strabismus. They offer these services: no-stitch cataract surgery, eyelid surgery, pediatric eye care, eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions, and a complete optical shop.
The Business Challenge
In 2011, the IT department of SLO Eye Associates was tasked with introducing PC technology into the exam rooms to run new EMR software from Medinformatix. Prior to that, they had used paper records and manual entry, so they needed to upgrade the entire practice to an electronic system. The 19 exam rooms at their three locations had limited space for PC equipment, as is the situation with most medical exam rooms. They needed to find
small form factor PCs that would run the software efficiently.
The Cybernet Solution
The Practice Administrator researched various PC technologies that would not only fit in constrained spaces, but could run their EMR software. They considered an iPad, but the response time was too slow, and the screen size too small to accurately fill in or check small boxes on input forms, leaving too much room for error. They did some Internet research, and found Cybernet, whose sales staff suggested they speak with another ophthalmologic practice in Nevada to assess how the
Cybernet all-in-one PCs could be used for SLO Eye Associates.
After that discussion, the Practice Administrator ordered a Cybernet ZPC-D5 keyboard PC to test for a few weeks. They loaded the EMR software on the unit, and had the ophthalmology technicians (who are the primary users) test them for speed and accuracy of input. They passed the technicians’ test, the price was right, and SLO Eye Associates ordered ZPC-D5s for all of their exam rooms.
Key Results
The ZPC-D5s were deployed very quickly, and were connected to flat-screen monitors that were mounted on the walls of the exam rooms. Now the entire computer took up only the space of a keyboard on the exam room counter. The keyboard PCs easily fit within the space without having to make any physical modifications. The ophthalmology technicians and physicians are able to input EMR quickly and accurately, and access medical images during patient exams. Everything is handy, and keeps everyone on schedule. The Practice Administrator is also very pleased with the performance of the ZPC-D5s given the price, and also their reliability. It was a winning solution for the entire team at SLO Eye Associates.
