Tablet Theft-4 , CPN10-3 , Thunder Tag-3 , CP Systems-1
Theft In The Medical Office-It Could Be An Inside Job
I took my husband to a follow up appointment from his surgery recently because I was the primary person changing his dressings and I wanted to make sure I was doing it right. When the nurse came in to change them, he asked if I had everything at home I needed to continue for the next couple of weeks. I told him I was running a little low, but I would check at a home health store for the stuff I needed. He walked out of the room for a moment and then came back in with a bag of supplies, including tweezers, bandage scissors, and bandage rolls. He told me to put the bag in my purse and to not tell the doctor he’d given it to me. I did as I was told, but I wondered later if I had done the right thing. Theft from doctor’s offices is actually a pretty common occurrence, mostly just rubber gloves and such, but it can get worse. Money comes up missing from the drawer where they keep patient’s cash payments. An electronic tablet or i-pad theft occurs after the office invests in new technologies. In many cases, it’s not just the patients and their families that the staff has to watch now; internal theft can be a major issue in the medical field too.
Let’s take the i-pad or tablet theft situation. With many doctor’s offices converting to electronic records and more advanced ways to share medical information, these expensive devices are showing up not just in the exam rooms, but in the waiting room as well. Patients use them to check in for their appointments and update their contact information as well. What happens when the patient takes it back to the exam room with them and suddenly it has disappeared? Obviously, everyone will point the finger at the patient themselves or a member of their family that came with them when the tablet theft is discovered. But what if they did give the tablet back as they will surely claim? What if the nurse or assistant simply hid the tablet until they can retrieve it to take home at the end of the day? The patient will be blamed and possibly banned from the practice and no one is the wiser.
We can’t control others motives for stealing, and it’s always harder to deal with when the case is internal. It can happen with a long term employee just as easily as with a new hire. The employee may be under extreme financial pressure, or have a gambling problem. They may have an addiction for luxury spending. They may rationalize an i-pad theft to help themselves since the doctor makes so much money and can afford a new one. Or, just like above, they could see an opportunity and decide to act on it. While you can’t control what motivates people to steal, you can control your surroundings and protect your assets with some new offerings by Checkpoint Systems.
Designed for small spaces and professional settings, the Checkpoint N10, combined with the Thunder Tag, is the way to protect those valuable electronics from external as well as internal theft. The Checkpoint N10 has the same capabilities as its counterparts used in department stores to monitor inventory. But it is smaller and sleeker and will not detract from the setting or atmosphere of a doctor’s office. The Thunder Tag is actually a device that is adhered to the tablet or i-pad and it is the catalyst that will alert staff via the Checkpoint N10 if a theft attempt occurs. If a patient or employee tampers with the Thunder Tag or tries to remove it, it will self-alarm as well. A doctor’s office can fail and go under financially just as easily as a retail establishment. The bills have to be paid and the office equipment that is bought must be maintained and accounted for.
Want more information on the Checkpoint N10 System now? Give us a call: 1.770.426.0547
I took my husband to a follow up appointment from his surgery recently because I was the primary person changing his dressings and I wanted to make sure I was doing it right. hen the nurse came in to change them, he asked if I had everything at home I needed to continue for the next couple of weeks. I told him I was running a little low, but I would check at a home health store for the stuff I needed. He walked out of the room for a moment and then came back in with a bag of supplies, including tweezers, bandage scissors, and bandage rolls. He told me to put the bag in my purse and to not tell the doctor he’d given it to me. I did as I was told, but I wondered later if I had done the right thing. Theft from doctor’s offices is actually a pretty common occurrence, mostly just rubber gloves and such, but it can get worse. Money comes up missing from the drawer where they keep patient’s cash payments. An electronic tablet theft or i-pad theft occurs after the office invests in new technologies. In many cases, it’s not just the patients and their families that the staff has to watch now; internal theft can be a major issue in the medical field too.
Let’s take the i-pad or tablet theft situation. With many doctor’s offices converting to electronic records and more advanced ways to share medical information, these expensive devices are showing up not just in the exam rooms, but in the waiting room as well. Patients use them to check in for their appointments and update their contact information as well. What happens when the patient takes it back to the exam room with them and suddenly it has disappeared? Obviously, everyone will point the finger at the patient themselves or a member of their family that came with them when the tablet theft is discovered. But what if they did give the tablet back as they will surely claim? What if the nurse or assistant simply hid the tablet until they can retrieve it to take home at the end of the day? The patient will be blamed and possibly banned from the practice and no one is the wiser.
We can’t control others motives for stealing, and it’s always harder to deal with when the case is internal. It can happen with a long term employee just as easily as with a new hire. The employee may be under extreme financial pressure, or have a gambling problem. They may have an addiction for luxury spending. They may rationalize an i-pad theft to help themselves since the doctor makes so much money and can afford a new one. Or, just like above, they could see an opportunity and decide to act on it. While you can’t control what motivates people to steal, you can control your surroundings and protect your assets with some new offerings by Checkpoint Systems.
Designed for small spaces and professional settings, the Checkpoint N10, combined with the Thunder Tag, is the way to protect those valuable electronics from external as well as internal theft. The Checkpoint N10 has the same capabilities as its counterparts used in department stores to monitor inventory. But it is smaller and sleeker and will not detract from the setting or atmosphere of a doctor’s office.The Thunder Tag is actually a device that is adhered to the tablet theft or i-pad and it is the catalyst that will alert staff via the Checkpoint N10 if a theft attempt occurs. If a patient or employee tampers with the Thunder Tag or tries to remove it, it will self-alarm as well. A doctor’s office can fail and go under financially just as easily as a retail establishment. The bills have to be paid and the office equipment that is bought must be maintained and accounted for.
Want more information on the Checkpoint N10 System now? Give us a call: 1.770.426.0547
Alpha Thunder Tag-3 WC blog 124
Tablet Theft-3
i-pad Theft-3
Classic N10-3
Mobile Medical Devices Make Electronic Health Record Security Risky – Protect Tablets And I-Pads With Alpha Thunder Tags
According to the website HealthIT.gov, “ if medicare eligible providers, or EP’s, do not adopt and successfully demonstrate meaningful use of a certified electronic health record (EHR) by 2015, the EP’s medicare physician fee schedule amount for covered professional services will be adjusted down by 1% each year.” What this means is that the government is attempting to steer healthcare providers away from paper documentation to electronic documentation. While there are benefits to maintaining patient records in electronic form such as record sharing with patients, the ability for doctors to collaborate, viewing of scans, a host of medical apps and other resources, there are also pitfalls. Many physicians are using mobile medical devices to improve service and comply with the new electronic health record requirements. What happens in the event of a medical tablet theft or medical i-pad theft? What patient information might be compromised? The Alpha Thunder Tag can protect these devices from theft.
It is likely that you are wondering what the Alpha Thunder Tag is and how it can protect a mobile device. The tag is a small anti-theft device that is attached to a tablet or i-pad with an adhesive. The tag is equipped with electronic article surveillance (EAS) technology so if a tagged item is carried in range of an EAS antenna the antenna alarm emits a loud, annoying beep. It is also tamper protected and will alarm in the event a thief attempts to remove the tag. I do want to emphasize that the EAS capability is only useful if a medical facility will take the time to install EAS antennas at ALL points of entry. Without investing in EAS antennas, the tags will only be a visual deterrent to theft, assuming the potential thieves are bothered by the attachment on the item they want to steal.
Since I referenced the necessity for an EAS antenna system as a requirement for effectively protecting your practice from tablet theft and i-pad theft, I would like to digress for a moment and discuss this part of a system. EAS antennas come in various sizes, but if someone is concerned about the space a set would take up, rest assured it does not have to be a problem. The Checkpoint Classic N10 antenna is a compact unit that provides all the protection of a larger unit you see in a retail store. The difference is that the Classic N10 was designed for small retail stores that could not spare the room for a large system. Carrying this idea to a medical office or clinic only makes sense since you have to have room for transport devices such as wheelchairs or crutches, possibly even gurneys, to enter and exit your facility.
At this point you may still doubt the need to secure your mobile devices because, what is someone going to be able to do even if they get their hands on a tablet or i-pad? Well, according to the healthcare web site, hitconsultant.net in a November 4, 2014 article, “68% of all healthcare data breaches since 2010 are due to device theft or loss, according to the 2014 Healthcare Breach Report from Bitglass.” Why would anyone want to access patient healthcare data? Because the information can include everything a medical provider has on file for a patient, billing information, addresses, payment information, insurance policy numbers and even prescription information. The data has value on the black market and can be sold or it is used to create false insurance claims, obtain illegal prescriptions and identity theft.
Medical tablet theft and i-pad theft is not an issue to be taken lightly. Should your practice lose a device and a data breach were to occur, there can be significant fines and penalties assessed by the Department of Health and Human Services. Investing in Alpha Thunder Tags and a Classic N10 antenna system can provide the security you need to protect your mobile devices and your patient’s information.
Get more information on Alpha Thunder Tag, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
According to the website HealthIT.gov, “ if medicare eligible providers, or EP’s, do not adopt and successfully demonstrate meaningful use of a certified electronic health record (EHR) by 2015, the EP’s medicare physician fee schedule amount for covered professional services will be adjusted down by 1% each year.” What this means is that the government is attempting to steer healthcare providers away from paper documentation to electronic documentation. While there are benefits to maintaining patient records in electronic form such as record sharing with patients, the ability for doctors to collaborate, viewing of scans, a host of medical apps and other resources, there are also pitfalls. Many physicians are using mobile medical devices to improve service and comply with the new electronic health record requirements. What happens in the event of a medical tablet theft or medical i-pad theft? What patient information might be compromised? The Alpha Thunder Tag can protect these devices from theft.
It is likely that you are wondering what the Alpha Thunder Tag is and how it can protect a mobile device. The tag is a small anti-theft device that is attached to a tablet or i-pad with an adhesive. The tag is equipped with electronic article surveillance (EAS) technology so if a tagged item is carried in range of an EAS antenna the antenna alarm emits a loud, annoying beep. It is also tamper protected and will alarm in the event a thief attempts to remove the tag. I do want to emphasize that the EAS capability is only useful if a medical facility will take the time to install EAS antennas at ALL points of entry. Without investing in EAS antennas, the tags will only be a visual deterrent to theft, assuming the potential thieves are bothered by the attachment on the item they want to steal.
Since I referenced the necessity for an EAS antenna system as a requirement for effectively protecting your practice from tablet theft and i-pad theft, I would like to digress for a moment and discuss this part of a system. EAS antennas come in various sizes, but if someone is concerned about the space a set would take up, rest assured it does not have to be a problem. The Checkpoint Classic N10 antenna is a compact unit that provides all the protection of a larger unit you see in a retail store. The difference is that the Classic N10 was designed for small retail stores that could not spare the room for a large system. Carrying this idea to a medical office or clinic only makes sense since you have to have room for transport devices such as wheelchairs or crutches, possibly even gurneys, to enter and exit your facility.
At this point you may still doubt the need to secure your mobile devices because, what is someone going to be able to do even if they get their hands on a tablet or i-pad? Well, according to the healthcare web site, hitconsultant.net in a November 4, 2014 article, “68% of all healthcare data breaches since 2010 are due to device theft or loss, according to the 2014 Healthcare Breach Report from Bitglass.” Why would anyone want to access patient healthcare data? Because the information can include everything a medical provider has on file for a patient, billing information, addresses, payment information, insurance policy numbers and even prescription information. The data has value on the black market and can be sold or it is used to create false insurance claims, obtain illegal prescriptions and identity theft.
Medical tablet theft and i-pad theft is not an issue to be taken lightly. Should your practice lose a device and a data breach were to occur, there can be significant fines and penalties assessed by the Department of Health and Human Services. Investing in Alpha Thunder Tags and a Classic N10 antenna system can provide the security you need to protect your mobile devices and your patient’s information.
Get more information on Alpha Thunder Tag, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
i-pad theft-4 WC blog 119
tablet theft-4
Alpha Thunder Tag-3
Don’t Horse Around – Use Alpha Thunder Tags To Protect Veterinary Mobile Devices
You may be aware that many doctor’s offices and hospitals are transitioning from paper records and files to electronic devices to conduct their work. For example they are now using i-pads and tablets for review of patient records, viewing scans and x-rays, even consulting with other doctor’s about procedures before treating patients. But did you know that the use of mobile medical devices is not limited to the treatment of humans? Veterinarians are also helping render aid and treatment to our furry friends with mobile devices. I had never considered that there might be apps available to vets just as there are for doctors. If there are vet apps for i-pads and tablets as those offered to other medical services, then there must be growth in the demand for the devices. Just like the risks posed to other doctors, this means i-pad theft and tablet theft will be a concern for veterinarians. The Alpha Thunder Tag is the anti-theft device that will keep your mobile devices safe.
Originally designed as a retail anti-theft tool, the Alpha Thunder Tag has applications outside the retail arena. The tag is attached by an adhesive to a mobile device and therefore acts as a visible deterrent to someone who may be tempted to try to steal one. The tags also are designed to work with an electronic article surveillance system (EAS) so that in the event a thief attempts to walk out of an office the EAS antenna will activate. The activation serves to warn staff that a device is being carried out of the building and they can respond and retrieve the device. If the 3 alarm model of the tag is purchased an added benefit is an internal alarm that activates in the device if someone were to get through the antennas and exit the building. Having worked for many years in the retail loss prevention field, I can verify that EAS activations can scare thieves into dropping merchandise. I am confident it would have the same effect for someone attempting a medical tablet theft or i-pad theft.
You may be wondering what would possess someone to want to steal information on Spot or Fluffy. The bad guys may not be trying to get the pet’s information remember veterinary clinics carry a lot of client information from the pet owner. Addresses, email information, pet prescriptions and billing information are all potentially areas of vulnerability that could have value on the black market. With adequate information, criminals can gain enough data to create identity theft via a stolen profile. Veterinarians are not subject to HIPAA regulations so they may not be as careful with client information as other doctors. This is not to say they would be intentionally careless, but the penalties imposed on other doctors by the government if a data breach occurs is a strong catalyst to ensure adequate security measures are in place. Much of the information a criminal needs is often stored on mobile devices and therefore makes i-pad theft and tablet theft a real possibility.
The other reason a veterinary practice should be concerned with mobile devices being stolen is that tablets and i-pads are valuable for resale. Someone may not be attempting to gain access to Fido’s prescription dog food information they might simply want to get the device and wipe it clean and resell it. In other cases, people will steal simply for the excitement of trying to get away with something. In retail loss prevention we frequently would encounter the shoplifter who would steal because they were “dared” or “they wanted to see if they could do it”. There is an adrenaline rush some thieves feel and that drives their motivation.
Regardless of the reason, tablet theft and i-pad theft is as much a concern for veterinarians as it is for other medical practices. The Alpha Thunder Tag is the way to ensure that mobile devices and the information they carry remain secure.
Need information on Alpha Thunder Tag? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
You may be aware that many doctor’s offices and hospitals are transitioning from paper records and files to electronic devices to conduct their work. For example they are now using i-pads and tablets for review of patient records, viewing scans and x-rays, even consulting with other doctor’s about procedures before treating patients. But did you know that the use of mobile medical devices is not limited to the treatment of humans? Veterinarians are also helping render aid and treatment to our furry friends with mobile devices. I had never considered that there might be apps available to vets just as there are for doctors. If there are vet apps for i-pads and tablets as those offered to other medical services, then there must be growth in the demand for the devices. Just like the risks posed to other doctors, this means i-pad theft and tablet theft will be a concern for veterinarians. The Alpha Thunder Tag is the anti-theft device that will keep your mobile devices safe.
Originally designed as a retail anti-theft tool, the Alpha Thunder Tag has applications outside the retail arena. The tag is attached by an adhesive to a mobile device and therefore acts as a visible deterrent to someone who may be tempted to try to steal one. The tags also are designed to work with an electronic article surveillance system (EAS) so that in the event a thief attempts to walk out of an office the EAS antenna will activate. The activation serves to warn staff that a device is being carried out of the building and they can respond and retrieve the device. If the 3 alarm model of the tag is purchased an added benefit is an internal alarm that activates in the device if someone were to get through the antennas and exit the building. Having worked for many years in the retail loss prevention field, I can verify that EAS activations can scare thieves into dropping merchandise. I am confident it would have the same effect for someone attempting a medical tablet theft or i-pad theft.
You may be wondering what would possess someone to want to steal information on Spot or Fluffy. The bad guys may not be trying to get the pet’s information remember veterinary clinics carry a lot of client information from the pet owner. Addresses, email information, pet prescriptions and billing information are all potentially areas of vulnerability that could have value on the black market. With adequate information, criminals can gain enough data to create identity theft via a stolen profile. Veterinarians are not subject to HIPAA regulations so they may not be as careful with client information as other doctors. This is not to say they would be intentionally careless, but the penalties imposed on other doctors by the government if a data breach occurs is a strong catalyst to ensure adequate security measures are in place. Much of the information a criminal needs is often stored on mobile devices and therefore makes i-pad theft and tablet theft a real possibility.
The other reason a veterinary practice should be concerned with mobile devices being stolen is that tablets and i-pads are valuable for resale. Someone may not be attempting to gain access to Fido’s prescription dog food information they might simply want to get the device and wipe it clean and resell it. In other cases, people will steal simply for the excitement of trying to get away with something. In retail loss prevention we frequently would encounter the shoplifter who would steal because they were “dared” or “they wanted to see if they could do it”. There is an adrenaline rush some thieves feel and that drives their motivation.
Regardless of the reason, tablet theft and i-pad theft is as much a concern for veterinarians as it is for other medical practices. The Alpha Thunder Tag is the way to ensure that mobile devices and the information they carry remain secure.
Need information on Alpha Thunder Tag? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
Alpha Thunder Tag-4 WC blog 111
i-pad Theft-3
Tablet Theft-3
Upgrade Your Medical Computers To Mobile Devices And Protect Them With Alpha Thunder Tags
Recently I had to visit one of our local hospitals and during the visit I was looking at the technologies they were utilizing on this particular floor. Because I have been writing about the use of mobile medical devices in hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices I was looking around to see if I could observe any in use. I will admit that I was surprised by the lack of i-pads and tablets by the staff I was observing. As a matter of fact, the nurse that was assisting me had a mobile laptop cart that was being pushed around, along with the traditional medical charts on paper. She was entering information on both and it seemed that this was not very efficient. I couldn’t help but think how much easier it would have been had she been using a medical i-pad or tablet, protected with Alpha Thunder Tags, to enter all the information.
I wondered if the hospital had not invested in them because they didn’t see the practicality of the devices or was it a case of being concerned for an i-pad theft or a tablet theft. If the reason for not using the devices was a concern about theft, that concern could be alleviated by using Alpha Thunder Tags which can be attached directly to the mobile device. If a tablet was put down and someone picked it up then attempted to disconnect the anti-theft device, the tag has a built in tamper alarm that would sound. If the hospital would have electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas at entrances and exits, even in hallways leading into specific wings, if a tagged device were to come within range of the antenna a built in alarm in the antenna would sound and warning lights would flash. Hospital staff could respond the alarm and determine the cause, whether it was due to an employee inadvertently walking out with a device or a “visitor” trying to steal it.
The advantages of using a mobile medical device should outweigh any concerns over i-pad theft or tablet theft. Mobile devices are small and easier to move between patients or hospital rooms that older laptop carts. There are also the benefits of being able to have all of a patient’s medical records available at the tip of the finger, literally. Notes can be entered directly in the tablet as an alternative to being transcribed from paper. Rather than toting clipboards with paperwork or pushing around the cart, a medical i-pad can be easily carried or placed in a medical lab coat pocket.
Another advantage of the mobile medical device is the variety of medical apps available for down load. There is an app for prescription cross references, a 3D human body atlas, a visual reference tool for dermatology diagnosis, even a procedures consultation. While computer applications are available for medical programs and similar reference tools, the ease of using the i-pad or tablet makes it more versatile, even allowing doctors to view scan and imaging results directly with patients on the mobile device.
Of course, the fact that the mobile device is so small and does have resale value does make an i-pad theft or tablet theft a possibility if there are no security measures in place. Alpha Thunder Tags, when attached to devices are that security and are a deterrence to a thief. Frequently, when a would-be thief sees an anti-theft device, even in a retail store, they tend to avoid it rather than take a chance of setting off an alarm.
With the knowledge that Alpha Thunder Tags can protect mobile medical devices it would be a shame for a medical office not to take advantage of the benefits offered by an i-pad or tablet. Make your office more efficient and upgrade today.
Need more information on Alpha Thunder Tags? Contact us or give us a call at 1.770.426.0547
Recently I had to visit one of our local hospitals and during the visit I was looking at the technologies they were utilizing on this particular floor. Because I have been writing about the use of mobile medical devices in hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices I was looking around to see if I could observe any in use. I will admit that I was surprised by the lack of i-pads and tablets by the staff I was observing. As a matter of fact, the nurse that was assisting me had a mobile laptop cart that was being pushed around, along with the traditional medical charts on paper. She was entering information on both and it seemed that this was not very efficient. I couldn’t help but think how much easier it would have been had she been using a medical i-pad or tablet, protected with Alpha Thunder Tags, to enter all the information.
I wondered if the hospital had not invested in them because they didn’t see the practicality of the devices or was it a case of being concerned for an i-pad theft or a tablet theft. If the reason for not using the devices was a concern about theft, that concern could be alleviated by using Alpha Thunder Tags which can be attached directly to the mobile device. If a tablet was put down and someone picked it up then attempted to disconnect the anti-theft device, the tag has a built in tamper alarm that would sound. If the hospital would have electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas at entrances and exits, even in hallways leading into specific wings, if a tagged device were to come within range of the antenna a built in alarm in the antenna would sound and warning lights would flash. Hospital staff could respond the alarm and determine the cause, whether it was due to an employee inadvertently walking out with a device or a “visitor” trying to steal it.
The advantages of using a mobile medical device should outweigh any concerns over i-pad theft or tablet theft. Mobile devices are small and easier to move between patients or hospital rooms that older laptop carts. There are also the benefits of being able to have all of a patient’s medical records available at the tip of the finger, literally. Notes can be entered directly in the tablet as an alternative to being transcribed from paper. Rather than toting clipboards with paperwork or pushing around the cart, a medical i-pad can be easily carried or placed in a medical lab coat pocket.
Another advantage of the mobile medical device is the variety of medical apps available for down load. There is an app for prescription cross references, a 3D human body atlas, a visual reference tool for dermatology diagnosis, even a procedures consultation. While computer applications are available for medical programs and similar reference tools, the ease of using the i-pad or tablet makes it more versatile, even allowing doctors to view scan and imaging results directly with patients on the mobile device.
Of course, the fact that the mobile device is so small and does have resale value does make an i-pad theft or tablet theft a possibility if there are no security measures in place. Alpha Thunder Tags, when attached to devices are that security and are a deterrence to a thief. Frequently, when a would-be thief sees an anti-theft device, even in a retail store, they tend to avoid it rather than take a chance of setting off an alarm.
With the knowledge that Alpha Thunder Tags can protect mobile medical devices it would be a shame for a medical office not to take advantage of the benefits offered by an i-pad or tablet. Make your office more efficient and upgrade today.
Need more information on Alpha Thunder Tags? Contact us or give us a call at 1.770.426.0547
Alpha Thunder Tags-5 WC blog 88
I-pad Theft – 3
Tablet Theft-3
Busy Offices Can Lead To Medical Device Theft; Unless Alpha Thunder Tags Are A Part Of Your Practice
What distracts you during your busy day? I ask this because as I was preparing to write this article, I started thinking about what my days look like and what impact it has on what I may be doing at any given time. Both of my jobs are customer service focused. I work in an academic library as an overnight shift supervisor and in my job I assist students with research questions, finding materials and sometimes even help someone who is stressed out in the wee hours of the morning. In my second job I work in retail on the sales floor providing customer service, as well as completing other assigned tasks. In both cases, I have been in situations where I was working on paperwork or using some type of device and put it down momentarily to assist someone and when I returned, I could not immediately recall what I did with the item. Now, imagine working in a clinic or doctor’s office and you are using mobile medical devices to help patients. How easy would it be in a hectic situation, to put down a mobile medical device and experience an i-pad theft or tablet theft because a thief took advantage of a situation and grabbed a device and walked out of the building without anyone’s knowledge?
How can you protect your mobile devices against theft in a busy, customer service oriented situation? What if your mobile devices were protected with Alpha Thunder Tags? An Alpha Thunder Tag is an anti-theft device that is attached to mobile devices and protects against tablet theft and i-pad theft by working with an electronic article surveillance system. If a device has a Thunder Tag on it and someone walks out a door protected by an electronic article surveillance antenna the alarm on the antenna will sound and flashing lights alert staff that a device is being removed. The device itself has an alarm built into it that activates if a thief continues through the antenna and out the door. Even if multiple people are exiting at roughly the same time, the alarming device will identify the offending party.
I reflect on watching the activity in an emergency room when I have had the need to be in one. Medical staff checking on patients, people trying to get checked in, everyone wanting immediate assistance, and suddenly an ambulance pulls up and a gurney is being wheeled past, it can appear to be controlled chaos. How susceptible to theft is a medical facility in a situation like this? I can easily picture a situation where a nurse or physician is entering information on a mobile device and unexpectedly an emergency situation requires their attention and the device is put down so they can address the crisis. In that moment the device becomes secondary and is forgotten. Someone in the room spies the device and picks it up and leaves the building. The device and all patient information contained on it is stolen. The potential ramification of patient data compromise becomes a real threat. Not only could patient information be stolen and create problems for the clients who had information stored on the device, the fines and penalties for a medical data breach can be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Installation of an electronic article surveillance system and using Alpha Thunder Tags will prevent medical i-pad theft and tablet theft. Electronic article surveillance antennas can be installed at all facility entrances, including employee doors. By doing so, even if a staff member were to forget they had a protected device in their pocket when they leave for the day the alarm will sound and they will be reminded to return the device before going home. While it is not a pleasant thought, it would also protect the facility from a dishonest employee who may attempt to steal a device. And I failed to mention, should someone attempt to remove an Alpha Thunder Tag, a tamper alarm would sound alerting staff of a potential theft attempt.
Protect your patient’s information from data breaches and protect your practice from potential lawsuits and onerous fines. Use Alpha Thunder Tags on your mobile medical devices and install electronic article surveillance antennas at your doorways.
For more information on Alpha Thunder Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
What distracts you during your busy day? I ask this because as I was preparing to write this article, I started thinking about what my days look like and what impact it has on what I may be doing at any given time. Both of my jobs are customer service focused. I work in an academic library as an overnight shift supervisor and in my job I assist students with research questions, finding materials and sometimes even help someone who is stressed out in the wee hours of the morning. In my second job I work in retail on the sales floor providing customer service, as well as completing other assigned tasks. In both cases, I have been in situations where I was working on paperwork or using some type of device and put it down momentarily to assist someone and when I returned, I could not immediately recall what I did with the item. Now, imagine working in a clinic or doctor’s office and you are using mobile medical devices to help patients. How easy would it be in a hectic situation, to put down a mobile medical device and experience an i-pad theft or tablet theft because a thief took advantage of a situation and grabbed a device and walked out of the building without anyone’s knowledge?
How can you protect your mobile devices against theft in a busy, customer service oriented situation? What if your mobile devices were protected with Alpha Thunder Tags? An Alpha Thunder Tag is an anti-theft device that is attached to mobile devices and protects against tablet theft and i-pad theft by working with an electronic article surveillance system. If a device has a Thunder Tag on it and someone walks out a door protected by an electronic article surveillance antenna the alarm on the antenna will sound and flashing lights alert staff that a device is being removed. The device itself has an alarm built into it that activates if a thief continues through the antenna and out the door. Even if multiple people are exiting at roughly the same time, the alarming device will identify the offending party.
I reflect on watching the activity in an emergency room when I have had the need to be in one. Medical staff checking on patients, people trying to get checked in, everyone wanting immediate assistance, and suddenly an ambulance pulls up and a gurney is being wheeled past, it can appear to be controlled chaos. How susceptible to theft is a medical facility in a situation like this? I can easily picture a situation where a nurse or physician is entering information on a mobile device and unexpectedly an emergency situation requires their attention and the device is put down so they can address the crisis. In that moment the device becomes secondary and is forgotten. Someone in the room spies the device and picks it up and leaves the building. The device and all patient information contained on it is stolen. The potential ramification of patient data compromise becomes a real threat. Not only could patient information be stolen and create problems for the clients who had information stored on the device, the fines and penalties for a medical data breach can be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Installation of an electronic article surveillance system and using Alpha Thunder Tags will prevent medical i-pad theft and tablet theft. Electronic article surveillance antennas can be installed at all facility entrances, including employee doors. By doing so, even if a staff member were to forget they had a protected device in their pocket when they leave for the day the alarm will sound and they will be reminded to return the device before going home. While it is not a pleasant thought, it would also protect the facility from a dishonest employee who may attempt to steal a device. And I failed to mention, should someone attempt to remove an Alpha Thunder Tag, a tamper alarm would sound alerting staff of a potential theft attempt.
Protect your patient’s information from data breaches and protect your practice from potential lawsuits and onerous fines. Use Alpha Thunder Tags on your mobile medical devices and install electronic article surveillance antennas at your doorways.
For more information on Alpha Thunder Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
