A research-supported action plan for secure and efficient clinical mobile use with Imprivata mobile solutions

A new peer-reviewed study details how an enterprise-owned shared device program was successfully implemented with Imprivata mobile solutions. The findings indicate the steps organizations should follow to create a clinical mobility program that enhances patient care and streamlines clinical workflows.

The Journal of Hospital Administration (JHA) recently published a peer-reviewed study on an enterprise-owned shared device program for the Yale New Haven Health System. The study shows how Imprivata mobile solutions was essential to their clinical mobility success. The solution provides secure, real-time access to patient information on mobile devices to improve workflow flexibility and productivity. This allows any healthcare organization to do more with less — crucial in this era of reduced budgets, resource constraints, and widespread cyberattacks.

Sound interesting? Continue reading for a quick look at why an access management solution with advanced asset tracking capabilities is essential to modern patient care and maximum return on mobile investments. Next, we’ll offer a step-by-step action plan for implementing a successful shared mobile program at your organization.

Clinicians need advanced mobile solutions to improve access and security

In the digital age, healthcare organizations are increasingly turning to mobile technology for interoperability and improved access to patient health information. Accessing information anytime and anywhere – even at the patient’s bedside – enables seamless care delivery and enhanced experience for both patients and clinicians.

But delivering on the “do more with less” promise of clinical mobility requires a mobile access management solution that does more with less faster, more securely, and more accurately. The JHA study discussion details how Imprivata mobile solutions provided Yale New Haven Health System with:

• Swift, safe access to shared use, enterprise mobile devices and applications
• The power to maintain devices in a functional, use-ready state
• Dynamic monitoring, tracking, and fleet management capabilities
• Optimized return on investment and reduced IT administrative burden

This solution helps Yale New Haven provide secure, easy to access enterprise mobile devices that streamline workflows to reduce clinician burnout and turnover. With cohesive and comprehensive shared device management, the hospital system reports better IT resource management, reduced administrative burden, and a clear return on investment.

The visibility and asset tracking capabilities of Imprivata mobile solutions reduced Yale New Haven’s baseline mobile device loss rate (1/5 of their fleet annually) by 75%-85%. Yale New Haven estimated that the cost savings yielded by reduced device loss is roughly $500,000 a year. Furthermore, rapid deployment of the solution resulted in a swift, undeniable demonstration of value.

Action plan for secure and efficient clinical mobility management

Implementing an enterprise-owned, shared mobile device environment demands the right planning, preparation, and partners. Here are the five basic steps in our practical action plan for secure and efficient, clinical mobility:

1. Create a cross-functional team | The first step for a successful mobile device program is to establish a cross-functional team that includes IT and security experts, mobile administration personnel, and user champions. This team will advocate for the best solution and ensure collaboration across departments.
2. Conduct a workflow analysis | Engage with stakeholders to understand their experiences and align on how and where mobile devices will be used in hospital workflows. Identify your specific workflow needs by asking questions. What will the devices be doing? Where will they be stored? What’s the sensitivity level of the information involved? The answers will let you know to design your security guardrails.
3. Map secure, efficient workflows | Develop a plan to secure mobile devices without impeding workflows. This will require security measures aligned with the specific needs identified in your workflow analysis. For example, an EHR workflow needs effortless access to prevent impediments to patient care, but also the highest level of security to mitigate cyber and compliance risks. On the other hand, communication workflows that don’t involve HIPAA-protected information may require only minimal security.
4. Establish device maintenance and management strategies | Develop strategies for device tracking and management once mobile devices are deployed. This will require capabilities that offer constant visibility into devices, and information about who and how they are being used. You’ll also need proactive indicators, alerts, and escalation paths to quickly identify missing or misplaced devices. These measures reduce maintenance costs, minimize loss, and enable IT teams to support devices at scale.
5. Implement access tools and security measures | Now you’re ready to implement the necessary access tools and strategies in tandem with mobile devices. Organizations with strained IT resources may want to look into managed services to help with the planning and execution of an enterprise mobile program. Experts who understand the access and security demands of clinical workflows can scale and optimize mobile solutions tailored to the organization’s specific needs. A managed services partner can also smoothly implement a mobile program to support adoption and maximize your investment.

With a strong action plan and the right access management technology, healthcare organizations can reap the full benefits of an enterprise-owned, shared mobile device program. This comprehensive approach to clinical mobility ensures secure and efficient workflows that ultimately improve patient care, enhance clinician satisfaction, and maximize ROI.

To read more about the use case in this peer-reviewed study, read our case study, Yale New Haven Health optimizes mobile productivity, management, and savings with Imprivata.