Streamlining Mobile Device Management across a Device's Lifetime to Facilitate Clinical Tasks
In the rapidly evolving world of healthcare, maintaining security, efficiency, and compliance is paramount. One tool that is making a significant impact in achieving these goals is Mobile Device Management (MDM). UCHealth, a Colorado-based health system, is leveraging MDM to enhance its operations and secure sensitive patient data.
MDM platforms, such as the one used by UCHealth, offer enhanced security and compliance by encrypting sensitive medical data, enabling remote wiping of lost or stolen devices, and enforcing compliance with regulations like HIPAA. They also ensure that all devices meet organizational security policies, reducing the risk of unauthorized access to patient information.
One of the key advantages of MDM is its unified and centralized management. It provides a single admin dashboard to roll out device configurations, security policies, restrictions, and app management across all healthcare devices. This simplifies IT administration and ensures consistent security measures on all devices.
MDM also facilitates remote troubleshooting and reduces downtime. Healthcare IT teams can monitor device performance remotely, troubleshoot issues without physical access to devices, and push software updates automatically. This capability reduces device downtime, helping maintain critical healthcare workflows and improving overall productivity.
In addition, MDM platforms help track device inventory in real-time and control network access, ensuring that only authorized devices can connect to the healthcare network. This protects sensitive networks from potential threats and supports operational efficiency.
UCHealth is a prime example of an organization reaping the benefits of MDM. The health system, which includes a mix of older and newer iPhone devices, from the iPhone 8 to the iPhone 13, uses MDM to manage its hardware inventory and determine the number of devices to deploy. This will be particularly useful in a new deployment of 2,500 devices at a new tower for its teaching hospital in Denver, potentially doubling their mobile device fleet.
Ed Horowitz, Senior Systems Analyst in Clinical Informatics at UCHealth, expresses that the MDM software frees physicians from worrying about security or the latest OS version. He also hopes for the platform to alert UCHealth when it's time to refresh their devices.
UCHealth deploys devices using a shared-use model, where clinicians take out a device for their shift and return it to the inventory when it ends. This model, combined with MDM's ability to lock down devices to prevent users from sharing personal health information over an open system, ensures a high level of security.
Adam Mahmud, senior product marketing manager for healthcare at Jamf, underscores the importance of MDM tools in the workflow of healthcare providers. He notes that MDM handles application compatibility and chooses which applications to install on devices, setting them up for clinicians and providing necessary applications for their daily routines. It also allows for configuration changes on provisioned devices, ensuring providers have necessary updates.
In conclusion, MDM platforms play a crucial role in securing sensitive healthcare data, simplifying device management, enhancing productivity, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting scalable healthcare operations in an increasingly mobile environment. UCHealth's adoption of MDM is a testament to its effectiveness in streamlining healthcare operations and safeguarding patient data.
Data-and-cloud-computing technology is utilized by MDM platforms, such as the one used by UCHealth, to enable remote management and secure sensitive medical data in the healthcare industry. MDM platforms help organizations like UCHealth maintain compliance by enforcing security policies and encryption, reducing the risk of unauthorized access to patient information.
