Study Evaluating Hand-held Computer Software to Increase Inpatient Billing Charge Structure

Background. The availability of easy to use, inexpensive, and relatively powerful compact handheld computers is causing a dramatic shift in the way physicians are incorporating computers into their practices. This technology is gaining rapid acceptance in the physician community with estimates that approximately 20% have already adopted this technology'. It is predicted that the majority ofphysicians will be using them by 20032, which is consistent with earlier research that found nearly 85% of physicians would consider carrying such devices3.