A portable handheld medical information management device that includes a storage memory, a processor, an input device, a transceiver, a display, and software. The software includes programming instructions executable by said processor operative to communicate to a server over a network, said communication comprising sending messages to the server and receiving messages. The device can generate patient information screens on the display, using patient information from at least one received message from the server. The server can control the transceiver to interrogate proximate location devices and calculate a position based on location of proximate location devices. The device, in conjunction with the network and server, can route phone calls and other message-based communication over a local area network (LAN) enabling advanced logistic features such as reliable communication of critical messages; it can also interface effectively with traditional hospital extension based phone systems and the public phone network.