"One of the biggest problems in any complex environment, particularly healthcare, is communication," CIO Denis Baker told the publication. "It's a nightmare to get a hold of someone, even people on the same floor, as they go about their tasks."

For a 60-day trial progoram, Sarasota Memorial handed out 25 iPod touches to nurses on a single floor in June. The decision was made to use the iPod touch because it's less expensive than the iPhone, does not require a cell-phone service contract, and basically has all the capabilities of the iPhone exclusive of phone functionality.

Also, the hospital wanted to move from text messaging to VoIP telephony, and it anticipated that the Touch would become VoIP-ready in its next version, notes InformationWeek. A major objective of the project was to reduce the amount of noise and inefficiency involved in calling nurses where they're needed, Baker said.