Clinical mobility presents healthcare organisations with a love-hate dynamic. Clinicians and healthcare leaders want the benefits that mobile device workflows can bring to care delivery and the overall clinician experience. Patients may also benefit from clinicians spending more in room face time with them than working at a computer workstation. However, effectively and efficiently managing a mobile device fleet to deliver the expected benefits remains a significant challenge in many hospitals.
Use of mobile devices is increasing, fast
Growth in the utilisation of shared-use mobile devices in healthcare is increasing because they offer greater workflow flexibility, relative cost savings compared to each individual using a unique device, and improved efficiency in accessing information quickly and easily from any location within or outside the hospital or clinic. The expanding Internet of Medical Things is also driving mobile device adoption and optimisation, with the number of IoMT devices globally projected to grow 131% by 2026.
This expansion of the Internet of Medical Things has brought innovative new solutions to healthcare (for example, remote mobile access to vital signs monitoring) that enable the fast and secure transfer of data. However, achieving efficient workflows on mobile devices that also maintain information security and privacy is still a challenge.
An international study
My most recent study evaluating the impact of Imprivata technology was just published in a peer reviewed journal and presents the findings from an international survey conducted across the UK, Australia, Germany, and United States. Information technology leaders in healthcare organisations communicated perceptions of the current state of their organisation’s mobile device management capabilities. The survey highlights the issues and challenges faced by healthcare delivery organisations because of the sensitivity and confidentiality of working with and managing patient information.
Gaps in mobile device management capabilities and end-user experience
Across all nations, while mobile devices are viewed as an important new technology with great promise for clinicians and patient care, respondents identified substantial gaps in needed capabilities, low preparedness and low to modest clinical end user satisfaction. Perception of clinician satisfaction accessing applications/data on mobile devices was low, with 56–60% ranking satisfaction at six or below on a 10-point scale.
Cost and implications of lost mobile devices can be significant
Significant replacement costs were identified for mobile devices lost annually, and from $100,000 to $1 million for the investigation and management of lost devices. Annual mobile device losses were high, with 42% of organisations reporting average loss rates of 11–30%. Reported effectiveness in protecting confidential information on lost mobile devices was low, with 50% of respondents ranking their organisation at six or below on a 10-point scale. Costs of managing information security breaches and lost productivity in clinician idle time were substantial, with over 80% of respondents quantifying these at more than $500,000 per year.
Shared mobile devices mobility management can save costs and resources
Existing shared mobile device management solutions that can help healthcare organisations reduce costs and improve access information security, clinician experience and workflow flexibility are discussed in the article. The paper concludes with a case study illustrating how a mobile access management solution has been implemented and its benefits. Yale-New Haven Health System (YNHHS) deployed an innovative technology solution from Imprivata to manage shared mobile devices, provided clinicians with secure, rapid access to applications on the devices, enabled device tracking, ensured devices were maintained in a ready-to-use condition, and significantly reduced rates of device loss. The solution protects the system’s investment in mobility and ensures high clinician utilisation rates and satisfaction with their mobile device workflow.
Mobility is becoming a powerful capability in the health information technology ecosystem, enabling clinicians to bring the electronic patient/health record and associated clinical informatics applications and tools to the bedside. This is supporting a more patient-centric approach to care, benefiting both clinicians and their patients.
