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Medical Tablets: Complying with HIPAA

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Healthcare providers increasingly use clinical applications such as EHR, clinical decision support systems, order entry systems, radiology, laboratory and other systems. Health IT makes the medical workforce more agile, mobile and productive. Mobile devices let physicians check patient records on the go, in any location. Nonetheless, the rise of mobile technology increases the risk of data breaches. HIPAA aims to protect ePHI while still allowing hospitals to adopt new technologies & improve their efficiency and care quality.

The Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA), 1996, consists of HIPAA Privacy Rule & the HIPAA Security Rule. The former establishes national standards for the protection of individually identifiable health information; the latter – security standards for protecting individually identifiable health information held or transferred in electronic form. The Security Rule dwells on the technical and non-technical safeguards covered entities must implement to secure patients’ electronic protected health information (e-PHI).

Understanding HIPAA

The HIPAA Security Rule covers health plans, health care clearinghouses and health care providers that create, receive, store or transmit e-PHI, as well as their business associates. Read the Summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule [PDF].

Under HIPAA, covered entities must:

  • Ensure confidentiality, integrity & availability of e-PHI.
  • Identify threats to e-PHI and protect against them.
  • Protect e-PHI against disclosures or impermissible uses.
  • Ensure HIPAA compliance by the workforce.

The HIPAA Security Rule requires covered entities to perform a risk assessment to determine reasonable security measures for a particular organization. Risk assessment includes evaluation of the likelihood of a data breach, implementation of appropriate security measures, documentation of security measures, & rationalization of their choice, and continuous protection of e-PHI.

Safeguards

On the administrative, physical and technical levels, HIPAA requires for the organizations to implement certain safeguards.

Administrative

  • Security management process – identify & analyze risks to e-PHI, implement security measures for protection.
  • Appointing a security official overseeing HIPAA compliance.
  • Information access management – limit uses and disclosures of e-PHI, granting access to data only when appropriate, to authorized personnel only.
  • Providing the medical staff with data protection training, ensuring policy compliance by the workforce.

Physical

  • Limit physical access to the facility for unauthorized individuals, yet ensure authorized access is allowed.
  • Implement device security procedures, specify proper use of devices and access to them, have policies regarding device transfer, disposal or re-use.

Technical

Health care providers must implement:

  • Access control to e-PHI for authorized personnel only.
  • Audit controls of hardware, software and data access and use procedures.
  • Integrity controls to ensure e-PHI is not destroyed or altered improperly.
  • Transmission security measures that guard against unauthorized access to e-PHI in transit.

Features of Medical Tablets That Ensure HIPAA Compliance

So, when we talk about the features of the medical tablets that ensure HIPAA compliance, we are primarily concerned with the Technical Safeguards of the HIPAA Security Rule provisions.

Encryption

The HIPAA Security Series Guidelines require covered entities to “consider the use of encryption” for e-PHI in transit. Encryption for data at rest is not mandatory, but its implementation depends on the risk assessment.

End to end encryption ensures the data in transit is protected against data breaches and man-in-the-middle attacks, according to HIPAA Journal. Technology based on the end to end encryption helps providers avoid HIPAA violations.

HIPAA-compliant medical tablets are Windows or Linux-based, which enables the support of full disk encryption for data at rest, & implementation of end to end encryption programs for data in transit. Furthermore, Windows medical tablets have USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports and can encrypt data on external storage devices just like your normal desktop computers would.

One of the glaring security holes in consumer grade mobile devices is text messaging and consumer chat apps medical staff use to communicate with patients and colleagues. e-PHI details sent in a text message is a direct violation of HIPAA Security Rule. Skype, WhatsApp or Hangouts lack necessary protections for a secure data transfer, despite claims of encryption. Medical professionals must implement secure communication programs, with the end to end encryption and preferably from trusted, zero-knowledge providers.

Data Access

HIPAA requires the implementation of technical policies and procedures that allow access to PHI to authorized staff only. Medical tablets have access control mechanisms that enable advanced user authentication. Moreover, they make it easy to use, because end users tend to bypass any technical procedures they deem as difficult, time-consuming, or hampering their productivity in any other way.

Multi-factor authentication in medical tablets is ensured with RFID Imprivata Single Sign-On, biometric scanner, Smart Card or CAC reader, and Kensington lock. Multi-layered access controls reduce the risk of unauthorized data access. Medical staff can safely leave the device in hospital’s public places, such as corridors or patient rooms, and rest assured the confidential data is locked.

Data Integrity

According to HIPAA, any e-PHI data stored on a mobile device (or transmitted with its help) must be protected against unlawful tampering or destruction. Mobile devices used to store or transmit e-PHI in healthcare must have features that allow them to be audited for access to e-PHI, including attempted access instances, and other activity that could potentially affect data security.

Medical tablets can be configured to enable remote device management to give the IT admins full control over the data stored and transmitted from it. IT admins can push system and software updates and patches remotely, or troubleshoot issues without having physical access to the device. They can set up the device so that the complete log of data access and failed login attempts be documented for revision. They can wipe the device remotely, should it be lost or stolen. They can monitor network activity and spot suspiciously large volumes in upload or download to, again, suspicious servers.

IT admins can block or disable certain OS features, whitelist and blacklist programs, to protect the confidentiality of e-PHI from the inadvertent exposure by the end users. For example, disabling automatic connection to any available Wi-Fi network protects devices from connecting to insecure public networks.

From ad-block browser extensions to firewalls and sandboxing, Windows supports the full list of security measures an IT admin can deploy on a device. With Windows 10, the security features have advanced even further.

Windows makes the use of password managers easy since most enterprise programs are developed for Win OS. Also, administrators can disable access to app store, so that users cannot download and install unauthorized applications, or games. Alternatively, blacklist every app but a list of authorized applications from accessing the Internet.

Medical tablets ensure admins have necessary means of scanning them for malware and other malicious code, install antivirus, perform regular and random scans. When an employee is left or fired, admins can safely terminate access to PHI.

Tablet Use In The Medical Space

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Information is gold. Timely access to the right information is priceless, especially in healthcare. The adoption of medical tablets in healthcare has reduced costs, improved quality of care and its mobility, and offered the fast and easy access to critical data. Healthcare mobility saves lives and empowers doctors and patients alike.

Mobility

The mobility makes medical tablets a natural fit in healthcare. Provided the device sports a reliable battery (better yet hot-swappable), the mobility is further backed by a reliable 24/7 uptime required in hospitals and emergency responder units.

Powerful computing capabilities coupled with multi-touch interfaces, stylus support, and light weight are some of the reasons hospitals are acquiring medical tablets. A tablet designed for medical use needs a processor powerful enough to be at par with its desktop counterpart. Such tablets pull buyers’ attention from the traditional laptops.

Fast, Accurate Data Entry

Clinicians equipped with tablets during on-round checkups keep personalized patient interactions, quickly access and capture critical data. No more double entry work, or skipped details –  the same reason first responders praise the benefits of rugged medical tablets in emergency situations.

Ruggedness, in this case, is a must since no consumer grade device can withstand the pressures and rugged environments of emergency situations, or survive accidental drops inside a facility. Medical tablets come fully ruggedized, equipped with various mounting options, a handle or carrying strips. Being lightweight & easy to carry in one hand, tablets have successfully replaced the traditional pen and paper, or laptops.

Integrated scanners/readers help validate patients, track and administer medications, and reduce the risk of error.

Applications

One of the key factors affecting the buyers’ choice when buying medical tablets is the operating system. Mobile operating systems like iOS and Android might provide hosted apps, or a virtual desktop. Yet, healthcare processes rely on enterprise systems and applications that doctors and nurses must be able to access from their tablets. Windows-based medical tablets offer complete compatibility for medical software & hardware. Be it EPIC EHR, or Anesthesia Applications, office back-end databases, patient infotainment, or patient tracking – Windows has an undisputed advantage in this area.

Compatibility

For a medical tablet to be easily integrated into the existing infrastructure of a facility, it has to a) run the operating system that is compatible with most applications; b) have HDMI, USB (micro and regular-size) ports to support direct access to data stored on USB drives and external hard drives, and allow for encryption of that data; c) have additional ports that allow connecting to the required equipment and peripherals.

When the tablet provides the necessary connectivity and compatibility features, it can be integrated into virtually any healthcare process from patient vitals monitoring, to EMRs, nursing stations, anesthesia carts, telemedicine, dispensing medication, issuing and signing prescriptions, point of care diagnostics to tracking inventory in pharmacies.

Ergonomics

Many healthcare applications call for the tablets to support the multi-display mode, or be large enough for the clinicians to be able to compare two images on the same screen. Modern technology allows for the medical tablets to be built from military-grade components offering crisp, detailed, hi-res image.

Tablets that support the dual-display capability can be connected to larger screens when the need arises. Top that with docking stations, VESA mounting, or Power-over-Ethernet, and you get an unprecedented ergonomics  much greater than that of traditional laptops or consumer tablets. Medical tablets are largely used by emergency responders, in ICUs, operating rooms, patient rooms, in hallways and corridors, at patient admission and discharge.

Infotainment – Patient-Friendly Hospitals

70% of hospital executives say “patient satisfaction” is their organizations’ top priority, according to a survey by Catalyst Healthcare Research and The Beryl Institute. Under the Affordable Care Act, hospitals’ income depends on patient satisfaction, and infotainment plays the key role in the way patients assess their hospital stay, offering unprecedented communication capabilities to patients and doctors.

From mobile games to emails, video conferencing and productivity apps, to educational slide shows, videos,  and ordered meals – infotainment tablets guide the patients from anxiety to satisfaction. Clinicians and nurses take advantage of educational apps and videos to instruct the patients on how to tend to their needs after discharge, or how to find their way around the facility.

Infotainment systems encourage patient engagement, serve as a positive distraction that relieves patient anxiety, make rooms feel spacious and futuristic due to wireless ergonomic design, and let patients quickly connect to healthcare professionals and family members. Easily shared medical tablets help physicians involve patients in discussing information, and provide it in an interactive, “easy-to-digest” manner.

Patient monitoring, Nursing Coordination

Measuring physiological signals has become easier with the advent of medical tablets. Noninvasive body sensors collect physiological parameters such as pulse rate, blood pressure, temperature, and even detect when a patient falls. Wireless transmission of the acquired data to a physician’s or nurse’s tablet is instant. Such telehealth systems eliminate the wire clutter from the patient room, increasing patient safety. These systems identify abnormal conditions automatically, alert the medical staff in real time, and have proven to be very effective.

Data Security

Secure user authentication in medical tablets may rely on different technologies from biometric readers to RFID and Smart Card readers, to passwords, pins, full disk encryption and security key fobs. Strict HIPAA regulations on data protection call for a thorough look at a tablet’s data protection capabilities. Yet, when a tablet provides state-of-the-art data privacy protection tools, the device can be easily left in a public area of the hospital, and unauthorized users will not be able to access the sensitive information. Let alone the benefits such stringent security provides in telemedicine, when a lot of patient data is stored on the device.

Integrated Readers & Scanners in medical tablets further amplify their application in patient tracking, receipt issuing, inventory tracking and many applications that rely on barcodes, beacons, RFID or smart cards.

Patient & Doctor Safety

Patient and doctor protection from hospital-acquired infections is high on hospitals’ agendas. The advent of antimicrobial coating and fully antimicrobial casing in medical tablets has made them safe for near-patient use in sterile ICUs, operating and patient rooms. Fan-less builds have further improved the device safety by eliminating the particles circulation present in fan-based cooling systems.

Antimicrobial coating in medical equipment and furniture is gaining traction fast, and hospitals are eagerly harnessing the benefits of surfaces that keep eliminating pathogens continuously, even in between the disinfecting procedures.

The ingress protection (IP) of medical tablets allows them to withstand harsh disinfection with chemical solutions that harm consumer-grade devices. Moreover, if a tablet offers 60601-1 certification, it ensures the patient and doctor protection against electrical and radiation hazards.

Low Cost-of-Ownership

When all the prerequisites of a robust medical tablet are met, the end result translates to a low failure rate (i.e. Cybernet’s medical tablets have the overall failure rate less than 2%). This, in turn, translates to a low cost-of-ownership of rugged medical tablets – unlike consumer tablets used in healthcare.

How Medical Tablets Barcode Scanners Are Reducing Errors in Healthcare

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Technology is dramatically changing health care as we know it. Patient care is improving. The speed in which medical decisions are being made about a patient’s care is quicker than ever. Electronic medical record (EMR) is making it easier for doctors and nurses to collaborate. As technology continues to fuel changes in the medical field, it should come as no surprise that new devices, designed specifically to enhance patient safety and simultaneously improve record-keeping accuracy, are emerging. Medical tablets that feature barcode scanners are one such piece of technology.

Here are a few ways they are benefitting hospitals.

BENEFIT 1: Reducing Admission Errors

Medical tablets that feature barcode scanners help improve the process of hospital admissions while keeping errors at bay. When a patient is admitted, a special wristband is printed out that features a barcode unique to that particular individual for that particular visit. A nurse can then easily scan the barcode using a barcode scanner on a medical grade tablet or attached to a desktop computer and begin recording information about the patient. This ensures there are no mistakes when recording pertinent information including the reason for admission, the room in which the patient is located, insurance and billing information, and the course of treatment, including supplies used and medications administered.

BENEFIT 2: Reducing Hospital Care Errors

Patients don’t always have the same doctor or nurse caring for them. With many hands involved in the process, without a system that recognizes what medication needs to be administered and what was given previously, errors are inevitable.  Using a medical tablet with a barcode system eliminates these types of errors.

When a nurse scans the medication and the patient’s wristband, the barcode software knows the proper amount that needs to be administered. If the wrong patient is scanned, then the medication cannot be dispensed. In the past, without a safeguard in place, a patient might have received incorrect medication.

Here are other problems that medical grade tablets with barcode scanners eliminate:

  • Misinterpretations of a patient’s chart
  • Incomplete or improper transcriptions
  • Faulty dose checking
  • Communication breakdowns
  • Adverse effects between different medicines

BENEFIT 3: Reducing Pharmacy Errors

Pharmacies play a vital role in improving the health of patients. Pharmacies can’t afford to make mistakes when people’s lives hang in the balance. With a barcode scanner, the information is uploaded the patient’s EMR. The pharmacist ensures the medication has a barcode before it leaves the pharmacy and makes its way to the nurse in charge.

The doctor decides the right level of medication and the pharmacy knows the correct amount to administer. Communication between doctor, nurse and pharmacy are in sync because the system updates so that any health professional using a medical tablet can easily access the information as it’s needed, in real time.

Without a barcode scanner in place, other problems can also potentially arise, including drug- stocking problems and a lack of standardization, which is critical for ensuring incorrect dosages don’t happen.

As technology continues to improve, it’s now more important than ever to be at the forefront of the latest technological advances in the medical field.  Medical grade tablets that feature barcode scanners will continue to improve patient care as we know it, including reducing errors. This means less indecisiveness and quicker decisions will be made because information will be more readily available – and accessible. The end result will be better record-keeping and patient care.

Best Medical Tablets for Healthcare & Their Features

Best Medical Tablets for Healthcare

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Medical tablets have replaced paper-based files and bulky clipboards by revolutionizing the way data is captured and retrieved at the point of care. These tablets eliminate the need to record information on paper and enter into systems.  This saves time, energy, money and improves efficiency. They provide healthcare professionals with mobility, up-to-date patient information at their fingertips. Most importantly, they make it easier to review patient records, lab results, and prescription drug information.

Medical facilities specialize in caring for patients and it is their upmost responsibility to meet their needs. The entire workflow is utilized by this technology equipment and must be advanced to meet the expectations of the medical industry. The best medical tablets for healthcare should include the following features: power & portability, easy usage, antimicrobial & liquid resistant, and medical grade certifications.

Power & Portability

The best medical tablets for healthcare will provide plenty of storage – 64 to 128 GB is recommended. Medical tablets hold a lot of vital information, such as patient records and prescriptions, so the right amount of storage is essential.  A lightweight medical tablet makes it much easier to bring it from room to room. Small, yet powerful, is what makes it stand out from the crowd when it comes to IT equipment.

Medical tablets should offer superior processing power and up to 8 GB to run Windows 64-bit mode. Medical tablets need to be powerful enough to run EMR and other medical applications simultaneously. Medical tablets, designed for the demands of clinical usage, are redefining workflow in medical facilities due to their power and portability.

Easy Usage

A medical tablet should be comfortable to hold and easy to use. Patient and physician’s signatures should be easily captured electronically. It should include HIPAA compliant applications, giving physicians the freedom to write prescriptions from the tablet. Consent forms and other important documents should be signed with ease. A medical tablet should also come with a stylus pen that is designed for signing prescriptions and other documents. Another important feature in a medical tablet is barcode scanning – to scan patient wristbands and barcodes on medications.

Antimicrobial & Liquid Resistant

A medical tablet should be sealed properly so that fluid cannot enter it and cause damage. It should be coated with a medical grade antimicrobial substance to minimize the spread of pathogens. The design should allow a person to thoroughly clean the entire tablet to avoid contamination due to substances like dust, dirt, blood, and body fluids.

Medical Grade Certifications

A powerful, Windows medical tablet should be designed for near-patient use, with EN60601-1 and UL60950 certifications to ensure safety.  It should comply with IEC60601-1 medical certification for near patient use in critical care and other clinical settings including OR, ER & medication dispensing.

Waterproof front bezels and hygienic aluminum housings are features recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in medical facilities for routine disinfection purposes. The tablet should allow disinfecting with liquid cleaners without damage. The CDC recommends healthcare facilities thoroughly clean sensitive medical equipment by using liquid disinfectants. Getting equipment, such as a medical tablet, that complies with CDC guidelines ensures a safer environment.

Why Medical Tablets are the Perfect Device for Mobile Blood Banks

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The pervasive use of electronic devices in the professional arena has changed the way tasks are being carried out. The use of electronics devices has had a tremendous impact on specific industries. The medical profession has been greatly affected by the use of devices like medical computers and medical tablets. Tasks that may have required the expenditure of effort and resources have been drastically simplified through the use of the right electronic device. In specific working environments like mobile blood banks, the use of the right electronic device can increase the qualities of efficiency and productivity. More mobile blood banks have integrated the use of medical tablets to great results.

Superior Ergonomics

Mobile blood banks recreate the typical environment of a blood bank with one major difference. Mobile blood donation centers are frequently in transit and don’t have the floor space that traditional blood banks have. In this environment, it is important that each piece of equipment that is being used in a mobile blood bank take up as little space as possible. Portable electronics like medical tablets are the perfect device for mobile blood banks and for other professionals who work in restricted spaces.

Record Keeping and Security

The volume of data that mobile blood banks handle on a regular basis can make the task of record keeping burdensome. Manual methods of encoding and tracking down data can expose vital patient records to human error. The use of medical tablets to handle vital patient data can eliminate the errors associated with traditional encoding methods. Pulling up the information that is needed is seamless and immediate when medical tablets are used. Security concerns when it comes to keeping records are also addressed through the authentication features of the ideal medical tablet.

Contamination and Infection Concerns

Infection control in healthcare environments is always a concern that healthcare practitioners need to address. The unique environment of mobile blood banks needs devices that can keep up with the stringent sanitation requirements that are imposed. Each piece of equipment in a mobile blood bank needs to go through frequent washings to serve disinfection purposes. The chances of a device making contact with blood and other body fluids can increase contamination and infection risks. Look for a medical tablet that has liquid resistant properties to address issues related to contamination and possible infection that can occur as a result of physical contact with the electronic device.

Superior Quality of Design

Medical tablets with a superior design provide their users with increased reliability and ease of use. A degree of resistance to dust particles and exposure to liquids means that the medical professional won’t have to deal with the device being compromised in the middle of an important task. A medical tablet that is lightweight is important for professionals working in a mobile blood bank. Muscle strain is prevented when the device that is being used in the mobile blood bank isn’t hefty or unwieldy for the user.

Tips to Extend the Battery Life of Your Medical Tablet

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Professionals in different industries have come to rely on electronic devices to carry out a variety of tasks. The use of devices like all-in-one computers or electronic tablets have simplified a variety of tasks that used to require a considerable amount of time and effort to successfully carry out. While the advantages associated with the use of electronics cannot be understated, the loss of efficiency and productivity that occurs when these devices run out of power can be costly. Medical professionals cannot afford to have their devices run out of power during critical patient care operations. It becomes important for medical professionals to learn how to properly manage the battery power of their devices to ensure that compromising situations are avoided.

Use Docking Stations

One of the most basic things that medical professionals can do is to use lulls during their routine to dock their electronic devices in charging stations. Nurses who don’t have to use their medical tablets during specific periods should use the docking stations to recharge their devices for future use. The routine use of docking stations to recharge a device effectively eliminates the possibility of a device shutting down in the middle of a work operation.

Hibernation Features

The savvy use of power management options can drastically increase the overall running time of your device’s battery. A simple trick that medical professionals can use is to turn on hibernation mode. Having your device go into hibernation mode when it isn’t being used manages and extends its battery life considerably.

Tracking Battery Usage

Accessing the battery settings of your electronic device can bring up a graph that tracks which applications drain your battery power the most. Shut down applications that require a huge chunk of battery power immediately after a task has been accomplished. This tip effectively extends your battery’s life for hours.

Adjusting Screen Brightness

More often than not, the brightness of your electronic device’s screen display poses the greatest drain on your battery power. Adjusting your screen brightness settings can increase the amount of usage that you get from a medical tablet without recharging the battery. The trick is for you to choose a lower brightness setting that conserves battery power without compromising your ability to read text off the screen.

Turning Off Connectivity Options

Connectivity options are an excellent feature in medical tablets. Turning them off when they’re not being used is another way for you to extend a device’s battery life. If you’re in an area that does not have wireless reception, turn off your medical tablet’s wi-fi settings. Disabling Bluetooth features when you don’t have to receive or send data increases your device’s battery life even further.

The Product Life Cycle of Your All-In-One Computer and Medical Tablet

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For various industries, there is a marked need to purchase tools like all-in-one computers to process a number of tasks. For professionals who work within the healthcare industry, the use of all-in-one medical PCs and medical tablets significantly reduce the burden that is present in highly specialized tasks. Before administrators can begin purchasing electronic devices, they must familiarize themselves with the importance that a product’s life cycle plays as far as the question of utility is concerned. No one wants to purchase a device that reaches product maturity within the span of a few months. Let’s take a look at a few details involved in the product life cycle and what you should be on the lookout for when you begin to look for electronics that you can use within the professional setting.

The Product Life Cycle

Essentially, every product that is available for purchase goes through a specific life cycle. A product life cycle refers to the stages that a device goes through from introduction, growth, maturity, and obsolescence. Depending on the item that you end up purchasing, a product’s life cycle could run for years or a handful of months. It is important for every professional to pay attention to every device’s life cycle if they want to maximize the money that they invest in purchasing them.

Length of Use

The biggest question that administrators need to mull over before they purchase a PC or a medical tablet is the length of time that they intend to use the device for. Given the state of the economy, it would not be wise for you to purchase a device towards the end of its life cycle. Ideally, you should be able to use the computer that you purchase for at least four years before you begin looking for a replacement. In the past, electronics used to have a product life cycle of 3 years. Now, PCs can be used in the workplace for as long as 5 years before they need to be replaced. You need to make sure that the PC or medical tablet that you purchase can be used for 5 years.

Industry Specific IT Concerns

You have to make sure that the device you purchase is compatible with your professional needs. As far as the life cycle is concerned, you need to determine whether the PC or medical tablet that you’re eyeing responds to your company’s IT lifecycle needs. It is vital for healthcare administrators to purchase devices that will last for a good long while. The surest way for you to ensure that this becomes the case is to take a look at the plans that the manufacturer has for the product in question. If the manufacturer offers support for the device well into the future, then that is a sign of a lengthy product life cycle.

In a clinical setting, certification is a big concern and a number of months may need to pass before your device is certified for professional use. Given the span of time that it takes for the certification process to complete itself, a lengthy product lifecycle is the best way for you to look after all of your professional concerns. If the manufacturer that you’re working with constantly introduces new products within the span of a few months, the issue of cost begins to turn into a major problem. Constant product changes will require healthcare professionals to go through the recertification process. The healthcare industry isn’t the only sector that is affected by short product lifecycles. Enterprise class customers in different industries will be required to change their software configurations constantly if the devices that they’ve purchased come with an extremely finite product lifecycle.

In order for you to avoid the severe cost requirements of these trends, look for companies that have a lengthy product life cycle. Usually, the span of time that separates the release of a new product line is the main thing that you need to take a look at. Longer waiting periods between product releases is a solid indicator of a device’s potential product life cycle.

Upgradeability and Warranty Periods

Look for PCs and tablets that have an extensive array of upgradeability options. If the device in question allows for future upgrades like adding a touch screen interface or other hardware expansion options, then it possesses a solid life cycle. Always be aware of the warranty period before you purchase electronics. If you can, opt for extended warranties that last for about 4 – 5 years. If the device does have a life cycle of 5 years, you want to be certain that the warranty protects it for the same amount of time.

The Cybernet Advantage

Cybernet manufactures devices with lengthy product life cycles. From the standpoint of cost, a variety of industries are poised to enjoy a great deal of savings because of the nature of each Cybernet product’s lifecycle. Healthcare professionals and enterprise class clients in different industries benefit from Cybernet’s lengthy product lifecycle.

Several clients have used Cybernet devices until they reach their final stages of use. Many Cybernet customers have used the company’s products for more than a decade before they look for a replacement. For industries that require periodic upgrades over a period of four years, Cybernet has an extensive array of products that can keep up with the IT lifecycle needs of your company. Typically, every Cybernet device has an average product lifecycle of 3 – 5 years before a newer version is released. Previous products will still be available for purchase for a year even after a new version of the device has been released.

Cybernet adopts a proactive approach towards extending product support to its clients. The company gives each client an end of life notice when the purchased device approaches obsolescence. Even after the end of life notice has been given, Cybernet still offers service and support options for the device for up to 5 years. Support services will be extended for as long as the components that are required for the task are still available. Clients also have the opportunity for a last time buy after the end of life notice has been given.

As industry trends evolve, each device needs to be prepared to respond to a variety of new requirements. Cybernet’s extensive upgrade options for their devices ensure that nothing gets overlooked. Depending on your requirements, several levels of device customization options allow you to adapt to shifting industry needs. Upgrade possibilities allow you to add components like RS232 serial ports and Video Capture ports to the device that you’ve purchased a while back/

All these aspects combine to make Cybernet devices the superior option when it comes to fulfilling industry – related needs. Professionals who purchase Cybernet devices will enjoy great support from the company given the fact that the vendor is also the original equipment manufacturer. To ensure that you get to use reliable devices with lengthy product life cycles purchase Cybernet products to keep costs and constant upgrade requirements at bay.

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Why Medical Tablets are the “Swiss Army Knife” of IT solutions

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Over recent years, healthcare professionals have steadily migrated from traditional workflow platforms to modern alternatives that allow for more streamlined management procedures.  The driving force that fuels this transition is the widespread use of devices like medical tablets. Several healthcare operations have used medical tablets to great effect. Professional productivity and efficiency benefit greatly from the use of devices like medical computers and medical tablets. In spite of the steady increase in the usage of these devices within the healthcare industry, there are still a few individuals who remain skeptical about the usefulness of medical tablets. Far from being a gimmick, medical tablets have come to be known as the Swiss Army Knife of IT solutions for healthcare professionals. Let’s take a look at a few points that back up this claim.

Access to Patient Information

From the perspective of a healthcare professional, the task of keeping up with patient information is critical. Emergency cases cannot be remedied effectively if doctors and hospital staff do not have the data that they need to address a patient’s health concerns. In the past hospital records were maintained manually. Updating a patient’s chart meant the involvement of bulky hospital records. Now, medical tablets offer a solution to this cumbersome procedure. The data that every doctor, administrator, and staff member needs can be readily accessed from a medical tablet. Whether you want to look for a patient’s medical history or track his medication requirements, every piece of information that you could possibly need is contained in your medical tablet.

Accurate Data

Within the field of patient care, nothing can prove to be more catastrophic than incorrect patient data. Manual methods of updating a patient’s chart will always be subjected to human errors. Whether it involves incorrect diagnostic details, medication prescriptions or misfiling of patient diagnostic details, these minor errors can result in costly mistakes that are sustained by the patient and, eventually, hospital administrators. The use of medical tablets reduces if not completely eliminates, mistakes brought about by human error. Medical tablets allow doctors and hospital staff member to access accurate details involving patient diagnostics, appointment schedules, and particulars involving patient medication on the fly. This results in enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and productivity across the board.

Communication Features

Medical tablets provide hospital staff with features that were previously unheard of. The applications that can be found in the latest devices provide every professional with access to a suite of communication tools that allow them to keep tabs on a patient’s condition and communicate with other colleagues. The ability to remotely access critical patient information is a tremendous aid when it comes to improving the speed of the hospital staff’s response time to emergency situations. Forwarding a patient’s case history becomes easier as well when a physician makes a referral to another doctor or even Telemedicine through the use of the medical tablet.

Portability and Durability

Medical tablets are extremely portable making them a perfect choice for medical professionals who have extreme mobility needs. The lightweight profile of these devices also ensures that users will not be exposed to an undue amount of strain as they carry the tablet over the course of a grueling working day. Features like ingress protection also increase the durability of medical tablet exponentially. Stringent hospital sanitation requirements are also something that medical tablets readily respond to through their liquid resistant and antimicrobial features.

The Cybernet Advantage

Cybernet manufactures medical tablets that cover every requirement that a health care professional may have. The use of medical tablets boosts rates of efficiency and professional productivity among hospital staff members. With a raft of features readily available out of the box, Cybernet’s medical tablets are truly the Swiss Army Knife of IT solutions for discerning industry leaders.

Medical grade computer with EMR

EMR Software Overview: The Cybernet Advantage

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Over recent years, a number of innovations have changed the way each person perceives the established healthcare model. In the past, the delivery of healthcare services focused on the role of the physician or healthcare service provider. Now, that has changed. The use of electronic clipboards, medical all-in-one computers, and medical tablets within hospital settings has presented a new way of accessing healthcare services. Now, the focus of the healthcare industry has changed to a degree where the patient has a more active role in the delivery of healthcare services. At first glance, observers may be quick to pin this development on the use of electronic devices. A closer look reveals that Electronic Medical Records software is really responsible for an increased amount of patient involvement.

EMR Software

The question remains: what is an Electronic Medical Record and how does it affect the healthcare industry? If you are familiar with a patient chart in your physician’s office, then you have a good idea of what an EMR is. An EMR is basically a digital version of a patient chart. Medical practitioners and patients can access an EMR through the use of a computer for doctors that runs the software required process these files. The extensive use of EMR software impacts the healthcare industry in a transformative manner. EMR software allows physicians and patients to access records remotely. The need to be physically present to track a patient’s development has been eliminated. Let’s take a look at the other advantages made available through the use of EMR software that have changed the industry.

Epic Software EMR screenshot
Epic Software EMR screenshot

Disease Management and Monitoring

Patients with chronic diseases will find that the use of EMR software helps them to manage their conditions in an efficient manner. In cases where the patient is hypertensive, devices that are equipped with EMR software allow healthcare providers to track the blood pressure levels and blood glucose levels of each patient. Patients with diabetes can easily track their weight levels through the use of these devices. This provides the entire healthcare industry with the ability to track ongoing physiological developments in each patient case and perform a variety of analytics as the information is coursed through a computer or a medical tablet.

Cerner EMR screen shot
Cerner EMR

Remote Patient Monitoring and Assisted Care

In cases where patients have assistive living concerns, medical touch screens that are EMR certified allow physicians to work with the patient’s caregivers in a remote capacity. The task of monitoring the patient’s status no longer requires the physical presence of the physician. This is a measure that dramatically cuts back on cost. Some analysts have also been quick to note that there has been an increased rate of healthcare staff productivity because of the solutions that have been made available by EMR enabled devices.

Care Cloud EMS
Care Cloud Medical Software

Preventive Medical Care

The wearability aspect of devices that are equipped with EMR capabilities increases the capacity of patients and healthcare professionals to develop more preventive health measures. A continuous availability of data allows physicians to track physiological developments each patient case. This makes it easier to identify conditions that could potentially lead to more serious health concerns in the future. Tracking these indicators as they develop allows the physician to address the potential development of debilitating physical conditions and increases the ach patient’s quality of life.

The advantages that are available through the use of EMR equipped devices are clear. It should be noted that the features that are native to EMR software allow these devices to actually deliver these advantages in the first place. Here are some of the features that can be found in EMR enabled devices.

allscripts EMR software
Allscripts Medical Software

Charting Features

EMR devices have charting features that allow healthcare providers and patients to access records on any EMR enabled device. Through this feature, patients can fill out forms online in the of the healthcare organization’s preferred format. This allows the physician to have a patient’s health information before he can even come in for a checkup. As doctors fill up a form for lab, imaging, or medication orders, they can easily access the patient’s full medical history through the charting feature. The ideal of a paperless workplace gets closer to becoming a reality through the use of this EMR software feature.

Medical Prescription

The process of prescribing medication to patients has been changed through the use of EMR enabled devices. Now, physicians can manage requests for patient refills remotely with just a few clicks on their computer or medical tablet. Frequent prescription orders and access to pharmacies can also be saved on a physician’s device and pulled up whenever they are needed. In cases where several medications are prescribed, the prescription feature can allow the physician to check for drug interactions that may cause allergic reactions and other adverse effects.

Medical Lab Connectivity

Several medical laboratories use EMR software and this changes the healthcare industry’s rate of efficiency when it comes to service delivery. With several labs connected in a wireless capacity, a healthcare service provider can easily manage laboratory and imaging requests, obtain results from lab tests, and share results with patients remotely.

Patient – Physician Referrals

EMR software delivers a level of connectivity to such a degree that patient referrals are easier to make. From your all-in-one computer or medical tablet, you can easily refer a patient to another physician. This function also allows you to attach a copy of the patient’s chart for the other physician to peruse. A messaging function allows physicians to collaborate with members of the hospital staff in a seamless manner. Direct messaging functions also allow you to communicate with fellow physicians on the fly.

Billing Forms

Hospital administrators will enjoy an increased rate of productivity through the use of the EMR software’s billing function. If you already have a billing system in place, you can easily access these forms through the use of the new EMR system. If you haven’t decided on a billing system, contact the manufacturer of your EMR equipped device to determine which billing option best serves your configuration of needs and preferences.

Appointments

There are scheduling options available in these devices that allow healthcare practitioners to manage their workload efficiently. Even when you’re mobile, you can check your schedule on your tablet to prepare yourself for the tasks that await you in the hospital environment. The scheduling function also allows you to send appointment reminders to patients to prevent scheduling mishaps. A quick view of your weekly schedule also helps you to easily identify vacant periods that can accommodate new patient appointments.

EMR Software Vendors

All of these features make EMR software a practical tool for healthcare service providers to use. Before you begin purchasing devices equipped with EMR software, you need to familiarize yourself with the EMR software developers that currently dominate the market. Epic Systems Corporation is a popular choice for healthcare professionals. Epic enjoys the largest amount of market share, taking up 19.1% of the EMR landscape. Other EMR software vendors worthy of note are Meditech, CPSI, Cerner Corporation, and Allscripts. Make sure that the company that manufactures the devices you purchase is certified by at least one of these software vendors.

Cybernet Products

Purchasing Cybernet products allows you to address your EMR software needs. The features and specifications of Cybernet devices are backed by certifications from EMR software vendors. Epic, presently the biggest EMR software vendor, certifies Cybernet devices. The approved vendor list published by Epic even recommends the 24” and 22” devices that Cybernet manufactures.

EMR software has caused the healthcare industry to undergo a rapid and drastic transformation. The only way for you and your organization to maintain a competitive advantage in the face of these developments is to work with a company that can completely address your IT needs. It is clear that the developments surrounding EMR software will have long term effects on the healthcare industry. The use of EMR enabled devices is the surest way for you to adapt to the healthcare industry’s new standards.