Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)
A Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is a centralized computing environment that hosts desktop operating systems and applications on virtual machines within a data center or cloud environment. Instead of running applications locally, end users access a virtual desktop remotely through secure endpoints. VDIs are designed to improve scalability, streamline IT management, and strengthen device security by keeping sensitive data within the controlled infrastructure rather than on individual endpoints. This architecture reduces the risk of data loss, simplifies patching and updates, and supports standardized configurations across large, distributed organizations.
In healthcare, Virtual Desktop Infrastructures play a critical role in balancing accessibility with security. Clinicians frequently move between exam rooms, nursing stations, and specialized care areas, often using shared workstations or mobile carts. A VDI environment enables rapid session roaming and consistent access to electronic health records (EHRs), clinician identity verification, imaging systems, and other clinical applications, without storing protected health information locally on devices. By centralizing data and applications, healthcare organizations can strengthen clinical device security while maintaining performance and reliability in high-acuity settings.
VDIs also support compliance with healthcare privacy and security regulations by enhancing auditability and access control. Because applications and data remain in the data center, IT teams can apply uniform policies, enforce multifactor authentication (MFA), and monitor user activity more effectively. This level of oversight is particularly important for clinical attestation workflows, where providers must verify orders, documentation, and medication administration within strict timeframes. A well-implemented VDI environment ensures secure authentication while minimizing disruption to patient care.
As healthcare organizations pursue digital transformation, Virtual Desktop Infrastructures provide a foundation for modernized clinical workflows, hybrid work models, and expanded telehealth services. Imprivata healthcare solutions integrate with VDI environments to deliver secure, fast user authentication, context-aware access controls, and streamlined clinical attestation workflows. By strengthening clinical device security and supporting consistent device security policies across shared endpoints, Imprivata enables healthcare providers to maintain compliance, protect sensitive data, and improve clinician efficiency within virtualized environments.