Manage Mobile Devices Without Sacrificing Productivity

Edited by Vicki Amendola, Editor, Health IT Outcomes

Mobility and mobile devices continue to transform healthcare delivery options. From handheld devices such as bar code scanners and smartphones, to laptops, tablet PCs, and of course, the explosive adoption of the iPad. All of these devices bring tremendous power and flexibility to today's clinicians, improving patient care and satisfaction. The challenge for the healthcare IT departments, however, is managing the growing arsenal of devices within their facilities without thwarting the productivity and value of these devices. I recently had a conversation with Cathy Graykowski, lead system administrator for Advocate Health Care, about this challenge and how a recently implemented MDM (mobile device management) solution from Air Watch helps them manage 28,000 mobile devices in the Chicago health system's nine hospitals and three support centers.