See The Advantage Of Using Alpha Thunder Tags To Protect Mobile Devices In Medical Eye Care Practices

I have written about the proliferation of mobile devices being used in the medical field, but I find that I have probably only scratched the surface. It seems each medical specialty has mobile apps designed to assist doctors in that particular field. There are advantages that all practices can benefit from such as paperless record keeping, video consultations with patients, scan and x-ray viewing on a tablet or i-pad, etc. Just as there are shared advantages to using mobile devices there are shared concerns, primarily i-pad theft and tablet theft. Mobile medical devices can carry a large amount of information on patients and that does carry risk with it. Protecting patient data is obviously the responsibility of the medical practice and the staff.  The loss of a mobile device could lead to a breach that could compromise information and lead to fines and penalties. The Alpha Thunder Tag and Classic N10 electronic article surveillance antenna can provide the protection you need to keep patient records safe.

The Alpha Thunder Tag is an anti-theft device that can be attached to a tablet or i-pad. The tag has an adhesive that holds it in place and tamper protection that will alarm if someone attempts to remove the tag. Because it works with an EAS system, if someone were to attempt a tablet theft by walking out of your building carrying a mobile device protected with a tag, it would trip the alarm of an EAS antenna. Of course this also means a building would need to have EAS antennas installed at entrances to the office or clinic. 

As a side note, since I mentioned the need for EAS antennas at office or clinic entrances, you may be concerned about how much entry way space would be taken up by a system. The Checkpoint Classic N10 antenna has a very small space requirement. In fact, it was designed specifically with small retail stores in mind.  These stores cannot afford to lose valuable salesfloor space but need EAS protection. Checkpoint was able to respond with an antenna that has the effectiveness of larger units, but requires a fraction of the area. It soon became clear that the antennas would be able to be used anywhere that space could be an issue, such as clinics or hospitals. These are locations where patrons may need to be able to enter with wheelchairs, crutches, gurneys, etc. Patient mobility will not be impaired with the installation of the Classic N10.       

I previously indicated that medical specialties may have their own unique uses for mobile medical devices. One use which I had not considered previously was for Ophthalmologists and Opticians. In an article in Mhealthintelligence.com by Eric Wicklund, April 20, 2016, the author mentions a number of advantages for eye care doctors who take advantage of mobile technologies like smart phones and tablets:

• Video consults with hospitals and health systems

• Viewing and in some instances giving eye exams• Improving work flow as patient loads increase

• Setting up video communications platforms, permitting them to be called in as a consultant or specialist in an emergency

The author also points out that in 2014 a study was conducted at 13 neonatal intensive care units and published in JAMA Ophthalmology.  The study, “… found that telemedicine could be used to link small and remote hospitals to eye specialists who could analyze retinal images for retinopathy or prematurity (ROP), a leading cause of treatable blindness in newborns.”

With such amazing strides in the use of mobile technology, it only makes sense for an eye care practice to take advantage of incorporating i-pads and tablets into the daily operation.  Once purchased and ready for use, applying an Alpha Thunder Tag to each unit and installing a Classic N10 antenna at each entry point can prevent i-pad theft or tablet theft. 

Tablet theft is important and we can help you with it.  Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.