pcAnywhere. Even when I'm on vacation, I can manage my patient's care thanks to a program called pcAnywhere that gives me remote access to the office network. When I was in Aruba with my family last year, I used pcAnywhere to view lab results in my EHR and prescribe medications. I can even check the surveillance cameras if I get a phone call in the middle of the night that the alarm system has gone off.

Electronic signage. I have an electronic sign outside my building, and displaying a new message is as simple as typing it into the computer. You'll see blurbs about our practice, warning signs for various diseases, and inspirational quotes. If there's a job opening, I'll put "Now hiring" up there.

Electronic signature pad. They're a common sight at store check-out counters, for credit card purchases. We have one at our front desk so patients can sign off that they've received their HIPAA notice. The signature goes straight into the patient's EHR. It's one less piece of paper to handle.

None of this technology worked perfectly on Day One. I've had to play around with it and make tweaks. But I don't mind. I'm having fun, because these are toys for me. And I'll try anything that saves me work.

Technology Consult is edited by Senior Editor Robert Lowes.