Alpha Thunder Tags-4                                                                                                                          WC blog 217
Checkpoint Classic N10-3
i-pad Theft-3
Tablet Theft-3
Mobile Medical Devices Allow Doctors To Visit Patients Online – Those Devices Need To Be Protected With Alpha Thunder Tags Part 2
     I stated this two-part series discussing my fascination with a doctor’s office visit the other day.  During the visit I found out this particular healthcare provider offers an online service to patients.  Doctors can conduct consultations with patients over the patient’s phone, tablet, i-pad or their computer.  The patient only needs to sign up for the service and set an appointment.  I will add that the consultation is for limited medical issues, as more serious ailments or conditions require the patient to be seen onsite. I did not know for certain how the doctor conducts the visit from their end, but I speculated they are probably using a mobile device as well. This would allow them flexibility to move about the office or clinic while visiting the patient.  From my recent research into the growing use of mobile medical devices in hospitals and how they are being used, this would only be a reasonable conclusion. I applauded the clinic for the creativity in reducing patient wait times and embracing technology in this way.  Then it dawned on me that while I applaud the clinic for using technology for visits, I was still in a waiting room doing what?  FILLING OUT PAPERWORK!  While I recognize that electronic health records (ehr) are still a relatively new concept and medical providers are slowly transitioning to them; it seems this provider should have patients using medical mobile devices to complete new patient information.  Clinics could protect against i-pad theft and tablet theft by attaching Alpha Thunder Tags to the mobile medical devices and installing Checkpoint Classic N10 antennas in doorways.
     Alpha Thunder Tags are anti-theft devices that work in conjunction with electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas such as the Checkpoint Classic N10.  The Thunder Tag has radio frequency technology built into it that sends out a RF signal.  When that signal is picked up by the antenna an audible alarm is activated and flashing LED lights in the antenna are triggered.  By attaching the tags to medical mobile devices, hospitals or clinics can prevent their devices from being stolen.  This makes it feasible for a care center to allow patients to complete their medical forms online through a device without concern of a tablet theft or i-pad theft. I am sure the question is raised, couldn’t someone just remove the tag and steal the device anyways?  No, the Alpha Thunder Tag has a built in tamper alarm that sounds if someone were to try to remove it. 
     The question may also be asked, “Why should we allow the patient to hold the i-pad or tablet and take the chance that it may be stolen?  We just transfer the information to the computer after the patient fills out the paperwork, so we still comply with ehr requirements.”  My response is that this is double work.  I am not a proponent of wasted effort.  If the patient can do it once on a clinic supplied device there is no need for the receptionist to retype it.  You also have two chances for input errors, first by the patient then by the employee.  The receptionist can always assist a patient in inputting information if they are unable to do so themselves. In other words, if the technology is already in place, doesn’t it make more sense to
use it to the fullest potential?   One other thing about using paper, it is always possible for paperwork to get misplaced or lost.  I have even written on cases where paper medical records have been dumped in outdoor trash bins.  Why take the chance of patient information breaches because paperwork is mishandled? 
     Mobile medical devices offer many benefits from online patient visits to a variety of professional medical apps for doctors and nurses.  Clinics, hospitals and doctor offices can become more efficient and grow their practices by using these new technologies. Incorporate Alpha Thunder Tags and Checkpoint Classic N10 antennas to protect against tablet theft or i-pad theft and to prevent patient data breaches.
Alpha Thunder Tags are important and we can help it.  Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
 

I stated this two-part series discussing my fascination with a doctor’s office visit the other day. During the visit I found out this particular healthcare provider offers an online service to patients. Doctors can conduct consultations with patients over the patient’s phone, tablet, i-pad or their computer. The patient only needs to sign up for the service and set an appointment. I will add that the consultation is for limited medical issues, as more serious ailments or conditions require the patient to be seen onsite. I did not know for certain how the doctor conducts the visit from their end, but I speculated they are probably using a mobile device as well. This would allow them flexibility to move about the office or clinic while visiting the patient. From my recent research into the growing use of mobile medical devices in hospitals and how they are being used, this would only be a reasonable conclusion. I applauded the clinic for the creativity in reducing patient wait times and embracing technology in this way. Then it dawned on me that while I applaud the clinic for using technology for visits, I was still in a waiting room doing what? FILLING OUT PAPERWORK! While I recognize that electronic health records (ehr) are still a relatively new concept and medical providers are slowly transitioning to them; it seems this provider should have patients using medical mobile devices to complete new patient information. Clinics could protect against i-pad theft and tablet theft by attaching Alpha Thunder Tags to the mobile medical devices and installing Checkpoint Classic N10 antennas in doorways.
     

Alpha Thunder Tags are anti-theft devices that work in conjunction with electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas such as the Checkpoint Classic N10. The Thunder Tag has radio frequency technology built into it that sends out a RF signal. When that signal is picked up by the antenna an audible alarm is activated and flashing LED lights in the antenna are triggered. By attaching the tags to medical mobile devices, hospitals or clinics can prevent their devices from being stolen. This makes it feasible for a care center to allow patients to complete their medical forms online through a device without concern of a tablet theft or i-pad theft. I am sure the question is raised, couldn’t someone just remove the tag and steal the device anyways? No, the Alpha Thunder Tag has a built in tamper alarm that sounds if someone were to try to remove it.      

 

The question may also be asked, “Why should we allow the patient to hold the i-pad or tablet and take the chance that it may be stolen? We just transfer the information to the computer after the patient fills out the paperwork, so we still comply with ehr requirements.” My response is that this is double work. I am not a proponent of wasted effort. If the patient can do it once on a clinic supplied device there is no need for the receptionist to retype it. You also have two chances for input errors, first by the patient then by the employee. The receptionist can always assist a patient in inputting information if they are unable to do so themselves. In other words, if the technology is already in place, doesn’t it make more sense touse it to the fullest potential?  One other thing about using paper, it is always possible for paperwork to get misplaced or lost. I have even written on cases where paper medical records have been dumped in outdoor trash bins. Why take the chance of patient information breaches because paperwork is mishandled? 
     

Mobile medical devices offer many benefits from online patient visits to a variety of professional medical apps for doctors and nurses. Clinics, hospitals and doctor offices can become more efficient and grow their practices by using these new technologies. Incorporate Alpha Thunder Tags and Checkpoint Classic N10 antennas to protect against tablet theft or i-pad theft and to prevent patient data breaches.

 

Alpha Thunder Tags are important and we can help it.  Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.