Alpha Thunder Tag-4 WC Blog 36
tablet theft-3
Critical Care Of Mobile Medical Devices with Thunder Tag
I am going to start out by saying, “I am not a doctor and I don’t play one on tv”. There is my dose of humor for the day, much better than having to take two aspirins and calling me in the morning. Ok, I think I’m done for now. Now for the real topic I wanted to discuss today, mobile devices and the increasing use of them in the medical field. As the growth and use of mobile devices has exploded around the U.S. and the world, so it has also in the medical field. More and more nurses and doctors are accessing medical records electronically, rather than having the older paper charts and clip boards. Part of this stems from the federal government mandating the use of electronic health records (E.H.R.) in the health industry. While the benefits include faster access to medical records, the ability to share medical history more quickly, improved accuracy and less risk of losing papers, there is an increased risk of losing devices. The Alpha Thunder Tag can protect against tablet theft and ipad theft and the associated cost of losing them, be it the actual hardware or the potential for liability risk.
The Alpha Thunder Tag is secured to a handheld device with an adhesive backing that attaches the Anti-Theft device to the back of the tablet or ipad. The tag has a plunger built into it that presses against the back of the device and if the device is tampered with, the security device has a built in alarm that will sound. Further protection is afforded if the building where the devices are being used has an electronic article surveillance system in place. Should someone attempt to leave the building with a tablet that is protected by the tag the EAS antenna will sound alerting staff of the event. If the 3 Alarm version of the Thunder Tag is used, not only will the antenna alarm, but the device itself will alarm as well.
Medical information is secure in electronic format, but like any other technology if a device were lost or stolen, there are no guarantees that information cannot be accessed by someone with the knowhow or ability to breach encryption or other safeguards. What are the implications if patient medical records were to be accessed by unauthorized persons? What could someone do if they had such private medical information? Consideration must also be given to what other information is tied to a patient’s records? Billing information? A patient’s address? HIPAA laws were created to protect patient’s rights and privacy, so it seems to me that protecting the way the data is carried and shared is as important as the information itself. The Alpha Thunder Tag can be used to prevent tablet theft by keeping the devices where they belong, in the confines of the medical building.
Tablet theft isn’t the only issue, the size of tablets makes them easy to misplace. In the hustle and activity of a busy hospital, a medical provider could easily place a tablet or ipad in a medical jacket pocket. Once the work day is over, if it is forgotten about, the jacket may be worn home and with it the device in the pocket. The Alpha Thunder Tag will set off an EAS antenna and alert the person who has forgotten about the device, reminding them to return it to charging station or desk where they are kept.
Technology advances for hospitals and medical offices is improving the ability of medical providers to give care faster and more accurately with the use mobile devices. This mobility also means increased opportunity for the loss or theft of tablets or ipads. Alpha Technology Thunder Tags can provide the protection necessary to prevent these devices from leaving the building and creating potential liability issues.
For more information on Alpha Thunder Tags contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
I am going to start out by saying, “I am not a doctor and I don’t play one on tv”. There is my dose of humor for the day, much better than having to take two aspirins and calling me in the morning. Ok, I think I’m done for now. Now for the real topic I wanted to discuss today, mobile devices and the increasing use of them in the medical field. As the growth and use of mobile devices has exploded around the U.S. and the world, so it has also in the medical field. More and more nurses and doctors are accessing medical records electronically, rather than having the older paper charts and clip boards. Part of this stems from the federal government mandating the use of electronic health records (E.H.R.) in the health industry. While the benefits include faster access to medical records, the ability to share medical history more quickly, improved accuracy and less risk of losing papers, there is an increased risk of losing devices. The Alpha Thunder Tag can protect against tablet theft and ipad theft and the associated cost of losing them, be it the actual hardware or the potential for liability risk.
The Alpha Thunder Tag is secured to a handheld device with an adhesive backing that attaches the Anti-Theft device to the back of the tablet or ipad. The tag has a plunger built into it that presses against the back of the device and if the device is tampered with, the security device has a built in alarm that will sound. Further protection is afforded if the building where the devices are being used has an electronic article surveillance system in place. Should someone attempt to leave the building with a tablet that is protected by the tag the EAS antenna will sound alerting staff of the event. If the 3 Alarm version of the Thunder Tag is used, not only will the antenna alarm, but the device itself will alarm as well.
Medical information is secure in electronic format, but like any other technology if a device were lost or stolen, there are no guarantees that information cannot be accessed by someone with the knowhow or ability to breach encryption or other safeguards. What are the implications if patient medical records were to be accessed by unauthorized persons? What could someone do if they had such private medical information? Consideration must also be given to what other information is tied to a patient’s records? Billing information? A patient’s address? HIPAA laws were created to protect patient’s rights and privacy, so it seems to me that protecting the way the data is carried and shared is as important as the information itself. The Alpha Thunder Tag can be used to prevent tablet theft by keeping the devices where they belong, in the confines of the medical building.
Tablet theft isn’t the only issue, the size of tablets makes them easy to misplace. In the hustle and activity of a busy hospital, a medical provider could easily place a tablet or ipad in a medical jacket pocket. Once the work day is over, if it is forgotten about, the jacket may be worn home and with it the device in the pocket. The Alpha Thunder Tag will set off an EAS antenna and alert the person who has forgotten about the device, reminding them to return it to charging station or desk where they are kept.
Technology advances for hospitals and medical offices is improving the ability of medical providers to give care faster and more accurately with the use mobile devices. This mobility also means increased opportunity for the loss or theft of tablets or ipads. Alpha Technology Thunder Tags can provide the protection necessary to prevent these devices from leaving the building and creating potential liability issues.
For more information on Alpha Thunder Tags contact us or call 1.770.426.0547