Just like other industries, healthcare providers are using mobile devices for doing work and communicating with practitioners, staff, and patients. Wireless networks and portable devices in the healthcare setting have their benefits, and the IT staff must have controls like Mobile Device Management (MDM) software to efficiently maintain and manage the security and privacy required by federal regulations.
Compliance
Governments have established several regulations, such as HIPAA, to protect patient records, but mobile devices are posing a major challenge to these regulations. If the employee is caught violating the rules, he or she can be penalized with a fine as high as $1.5 million.
The largest compliance risk associated with the use of mobile devices is data leakage. The most common example of this is an employee having sensitive data or footage in his or her phone and then uploading it on social media.
Cost-effectiveness
Many practices are adopting the bring your own device (BYOD) policy, encouraging employees to use their own tablets, computers, and smartphones for work. Mobile device management solutions make it possible for IT administrators to remotely monitor and control these devices. But more importantly, organizations benefit from the massive cost savings, since they don't have to purchase the devices for their staff.
Better device security
As long as the systems administrator uses MDM, it will be a challenge for hackers to gain access to any confidential information, regardless of where in the hospital the device is. If there is sensitive data in an employee’s device and it is stolen or lost, MDM software can erase all the content.
Proper MDM applications can encrypt files in a portable device and distinguish the corporate data from the employee’s personal information. In the event that the employee is terminated or resigns, the MDM software will delete only the corporate data, leaving the rest of the content untouched.
Remote Device Management
Thanks to advancements in technology, it’s no surprise that more healthcare systems are operating on mobile platforms such as Android devices, iPhones, iPads, and netbooks. Since these devices are now a crucial component of patient care, the IT department must be able to manage or control these devices in case there’s ever an issue. MDM solutions can give them this control.
No changes to infrastructure
MDM applications will not demand a change in the Wi-Fi infrastructure of the building, but if the system cannot handle all the devices that are logged in to the network, the support team will have difficulties managing all medical applications and BYOD. If the hospital has a strong wireless network though, there will be no need to make changes to the system.
These are just some of the advantages to having Mobile Device Management in the healthcare industry. If you need more information on implementing MDM, or if you have other computer-related concerns, feel free to get in touch with us today!
