Beginning in September, 120 inspectors will replace their paper processes with tablet PCs. The plan is to expand the new technology to every parish by the end of October, when 300 tablet PCs will be used by a like number of state employees who already have received on-site training.
Incorporating tablet PCs into the inspection process allows the department to convert more than 40 paper sanitary inspection forms to electronic versions. The change institutes a quicker, more accurate flow of information through the department.
The three-pound tablets from Motion Computing are about the size of a clipboard and feature a large 12.1-inch display capable of displaying a standard-sized form without scrolling. Eventually, tablet PCs will be used in every sanitary inspection overseen by the Louisiana Office of Public Health, which beyond retail food establishments includes day care facilities, prisons and correctional facilities, nursing homes, grocery stores and commercial seafood operations.
In addition, sanitarians will have mobile cameras, printers and wireless access to complement their new tablet PCs. The department hopes to replace all desktop and notebook computers with tablet PCs.