The good
While social aspects contribute to our need for connectivity, home and remote offices are now even easier to realize and implement because with mobile devices we’re never that far away from our work and, more importantly, never too far away (virtually) from our colleagues.
With synchronization utilities, you can take your files with you – your desktop files are accessible from all your synced devices. Many features of EMR systems are becoming increasingly available for mobile devices as well. And with a mobile device, colleagues can collaborate anytime, anywhere. Researchers can easily share data.
Mobile devices give workers flexibility that can’t be found being tethered to a desktop. An internist can take a photo of a rash and send it to a dermatologist immediately, while still adhering to HIPAA requirements. Physicians can receive lab results and view them on iPads while they’re doing their rounds or are out of the office.
The bad
While a few EMR vendors have developed apps for portable devices, it is important for users and administrators to remember that it took years – decades, even – to develop those systems. In the rush to market, these new apps have not had the advantage of such extensive and thorough R&D, and one of the biggest issues with them is security of confidential information.
Until that is resolved, professionals using mobile devices must still adhere to not only organizational policies but also to state and federal mandates regarding electronic protected health information.
#CarryOn
#JeffHelps
