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Modern technology makes it way into nursing homes.

MOTT, N.D. - Palm Pilots are replacing charts at a nursing home here.

It’s one of five Good Samaritan Nursing Homes across the country to convert to Palm Pilots, which are about the size of a calculator. They’re programmed with each patient’s name and the care that’s required.

The 28 certified nursing assistants at the Mott nursing home use a small pencil-like stylus to tap the screen. At the end of each shift, the entries are transferred to the main computer system so the shift nurse can see what’s been done and what’s needed.

Administrator Bruce Kallis said the nursing home started using the Palm Pilots in January, after the staff went through training.

The nursing home company has a four-year grant to pay for the devices.

Erica Jahner, an activity aide, said she likes using hers. She said it makes the time go faster and lets her spend more time with the residents.

“I like it because you can hold it and chart while you’re talking with a resident instead of having all that paper and stuff,” she said.

I bet this was a hard concept to sell to the staff. I can see my workplace going into an uproar at first over this. But I can also it being a great thing.