Latest release improves on purpose-built Mobile Clinical Assistant

22nd Oct 2011

Panasonic Australia has launched its second generation of Mobile Clinical Assistant (MCA) – the Toughbook CF-H1 Mark2 - to further enhance patient care and help to reduce medical errors.

With a unique fanless tablet design and no open ports, the CF-H1 Mk2 can be easily and safely sanitised with hospital-grade disinfectant, reducing the spread of infection, and has been specifically ergonomically designed for extended use by medical staff. Furthermore, with increased RAM, impressive battery life and dual hot swappable batteries, the CF-H1 Mk2 allows healthcare professionals continuous workflow and access to critical information.

According to Mark Wallis, Group Manager - Toughbook, Panasonic Australia, the MCA is fast becoming an essential tool for the healthcare industry.

“In a time-critical environment where speed and access to information is key to delivering high-quality patient care and ensuring overall staff productivity, a hard-working and reliable mobile IT solution is vital.”

“Panasonic has a long and proud heritage in building rugged mobile computing solutions for a wide range of industries.  With the new second generation CF-H1, Panasonic aims to provide the healthcare market with an even faster, more durable and lightweight solution that is fully-featured, advanced and intuitive to operate.”

Clean and ergonomic design

The Toughbook CF-H1 Mk2 is specifically designed for medical use, featuring a fanless design, a smooth surface, sealed buttons, a gapless LCD and no exposed ports for easy and safe sanitisation. In addition, a Panasonic-designed software utility can be programmed to remind users to wipe the unit down at certain intervals.  The device automatically tracks this for the medical facility’s permanent records.

Tested to military standards (MIL-STD810G), the unit is capable of withstanding a drop of 1.8 metres while operational.  Its design makes it resistant to other adverse conditions such as vibration, humidity, altitude, temperature extremes and thermal shock. It is IP65 compliant for water, rain and dust-resistance and can be sprayed and wiped repeatedly with disinfectant without affecting its operation.

As a mobile tool, the CF-H1 Mk2 is designed to be carried, so portability and ergonomic-usability is paramount. The CF-H1 Mk2 is compact and lightweight (weighing 1.5 kilograms), produces low heat during operation and features a specially-designed integrated hand strap for improved comfort while on the move. In addition, the CF-H1 Mk2 has an integrated easel footing so it can sit upright on a trolley, bedside table or desk.

Enhanced productivity and connectivity
The Toughbook CF-H1 Mk2 provides the healthcare profession with a full-featured and highly durable mobile device that can withstand the rigours of the fast-paced healthcare environment, while offering improvements in workflow productivity, quality and mobility to achieve better outcomes for patients. When using the CF-H1Mk2, a nurse or clinician can log on via the contactless smart card reader or fingerprint reader to ensure access to confidential patient records is secure at all times.

The H1 Mk2 features a number of smart functions to maximise the time spent with patients and improve workflow.  An integrated RFID reader and barcode scanner can allow fast, accurate access to the patient’s full medical records, simply by scanning a patient’s barcode at their bedside, or on their wrist. This can help to reduce medication administration errors and deliver faster, safer patient care. 

An integrated 2.0 megapixel auto-focus camera with dual LED lights allows users to capture images to add to a patient’s file. Photos of wounds or symptoms can then be sent for further diagnosis to other professionals or monitored during healing and recovery. The 10.4 inch dual touch-screen, XGA sunlight-viewable LCD screen is clear and easy to see.

Integrating the low-power consumption Intel® Atom™ processor, the CF-H1 Mk2 offers an industry-leading six hour battery life. Dual hot swappable batteries offer non-stop access as batteries can be changed without losing power, eliminating down-time which is critical in healthcare environments. 

To meet the needs of the increasingly mobile healthcare industry in both aged care and in-home visits, the CF-H1 Mk2 offers a range of embedded wireless features including 802.11a/b/g/ n and Bluetooth 2.1, so healthcare professionals can access information in any location. 

The CF-H1 Mk2 offers the option of embedded 3G WWAN and GPS, allowing for always-on connectivity and improved location accuracy. 

The Panasonic CF-H1 Mk2 is backed by Panasonic’s three year warranty.

Panasonic Toughbook CF-H1 Mk2 Key Specifications

• Genuine Windows® 7 Professional
• Intel Atom processor Z540
• 2GB standard RAM
• 80 GB 1.8 inch shock mounted hard drive
• 10.4 inch XGA sunlight viewable LCD
• Dual hot swappable batteries
• Integrated 2.0 megapixel camera with dual LED lights
• Fingerprint scanner
• Contactless smartcard reader
• RFID reader
• Fully rugged:
    - MIL STD-810G tested and IP65 compliant
    - 1.8m drop tested
    - Magnesium alloy chassis
    - Alcohol-wipe resistant chassis
    - Sealed all-weather design
    - Rain, spill, dust and vibration-resistant (IP65)
• Intel WiFi Link 5100 802.11a/b/g/n
• Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR
• Integrated docking connector
• Integrated Options:
    o 3G Wireless WAN
    o GPS
    o 2D Barcode reader
• Standard three year limited warranty

Pricing and Availability

The Panasonic Toughbook CF-H1 Mk2 is $3899RRP. It is available from Toughbook distributors. For more information on the Toughbook range, call 132 600 or visit www.toughbook.com.au

RELEASED BY PANASONIC AUSTRALIA

About Panasonic Toughbooks

Panasonic Toughbooks are used extensively worldwide by mobile professionals, field workers, the military, utilities, heavy industry, emergency services and organisations where durable mobile computing is critical to maximising productivity and uptime. In Australia, Panasonic Toughbook customers include Coca-Cola Amatil, Telstra, Western Power, Honda Australia, Port Philip Sea Pilots, BlueScope Steel, Aurora Energy and Ambulance Victoria.