Use of handheld devices in critical care.

Emergencies happen everyday in the acute care environment and demand nurses to make decisions quickly that can have serious, if not potentially fatal, ramifications. Being prepared to make decisions is partly the results of experience, but having access to ready resources can provide even the newest nurse with the potential to make critical decisions accurately. Handheld devices, such as personal digital assistants, can provide access to resources that can improve patient safety and, ultimately, patient care delivery.