Smart devices in healthcare

Smart Handsets/Devices
&
Critical Messaging, EHR Solutions, Medication Management,
Facilities Management, Patient Monitoring, Personal Safety,
Nurse Call, Infection Control, Secure Messaging
icon-plc.co.uk 01727 730000
White Paper
CARE HOMES | MEDICAL CENTRES | HOSPITALS | CLINICS | SURGERIES

Mobile technologies are the key to leveraging benefits from healthcare solutions. Kaveh Safavi global MD of Accenture
Health, has commented,
“To be effective, EHR (electronic health record) platforms must leverage newer technologies, such as analytics
and mobility, to adapt to the changing needs of patient populations and better connect physicians and patients.”
However, it is not only EHR platforms that rely on mobile technologies. Solutions ranging from nurse call systems, to
medication management, to building management, all make use of mobile devices.
HEALTHCARE NEEDS: Medical and care staff want to send text messages and use email. Others want a device that
can handle medical charts from EMR/EHR systems, deliver patient data at the bedside, or provide alerts from patient
monitoring systems. Support staff need a device which will provide warnings of medical and facilities system failures and
allow them to manage the facilities whilst on the move.
CHOICE OF DEVICE: The type of mobile device chosen to work with your healthcare solutions is important if you want
to maximise the benefits that are leveraged from the solutions, give medical staff and care workers a device that delivers
what they want, and ensure that it meets the investment and depreciation targets required by the healthcare provider
- whether that be a medical centre, hospital, clinic, care-home or surgery.
OPTIONS AND SOLUTIONS: This white paper explores
how mobile devices are used to unlock benefits in
healthcare solutions and how they can help deliver better
patient care, higher productivity and increased patient
satisfaction. It looks at the type of devices available,
and which are suited to use in healthcare environments
and which fall short. It suggests that consumer grade
smartphones and BYOD policies, often used to support
healthcare solutions, are not always a good choice when
compared with the advantages of healthcare optimised
devices such as the PIVOT solution from Spectralink.
Mobile devices (tablets, Wi-Fi handsets, smartphones, PDA’s) deliver many benefits in healthcare. Staff use
them to communicate with one another, to access clinical materials and tools, and to facilitate patient care.
Overview

Paging has been the stalwart communication choice in the healthcare sector especially in hospitals. Now,
critical messages can be sent to pagers, tablets, smartphones, PDAs, wireless and smart handset devices.
Critical messaging
LARGE RESPONSE TEAMS:You no longer need to carry a pager to be a member of the response team. Because
messaging solutions from leading suppliers Multitone, Bluesky Wireless and Fusion support a range of mobile devices
staff with smart devices, tablets, and PDA’s can be added to the team.
ROLE APPROPRIATE: Because messages and alerts can be sent to many different types of mobile device staff can use
a device that suits their role. Medical and care staff who roam around the premises and need access to applications and
data traditionally accessed by a PC will benefit from carrying a smart device rather than a pager. Desk based staff can
have a standard desk phone, or a wireless (DECT or WiFi) handset if mobile occasionally throughout the day.
EXTENDED FUNCTIONALITY: Smart devices, and on-premises wireless handset devices, used in place of pagers can
also deliver the messages and alerts generated from:
Integration with nurse call systems.
Monitoring medical equipment.
Fire and security alarm integration.
Location tracking: locate assets or colleagues within a building.
Task management: assign tasks to staff with replies of acknowledgement or decline.
SMART DEVICES: Consumer grade devices are
sometimes used but are seldom satisfactory or represent
a good long-term investment for the healthcare provider.
More appropriate are dedicated on-premises devices
such as the PIVOT from Spectralink. PIVOT handsets are
recommended by leading messaging providers Multitone
and BlueSky Wireless. With an extended battery life, easy
cleaning, and resistance to disinfectants - something that
consumer smartphones cannot emulate - they are ideal for
the healthcare sector.
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In 2014, UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt stated that the National Health System is projected to become
completely dependent on EHR within the next 5 years.
EHR Solutions
There are many issues, clinical, social and political, to resolve before this becomes a reality. However, one that is often
overlooked is the need for dependable, high-performance smart mobile devices.
INFORMATION AT POINT-OF-CARE: EHRs, e-prescriptions and clinical workflows help healthcare professionals to
deliver the best possible care. Smart mobile devices are essential to leverage the benefits from these systems. They
revolutionise the way data is entered, captured, and retrieved at the point-of-care. They provide physicians, pharmacists
and nurses with up-to-date patient information at their fingertips, and can help reduce errors. Equally important, they
make it easy for clinicians to review patient records, lab results, and prescription drug information.
MAKING IT ALL WORK: Many healthcare providers use consumer smart devices (smartphones, tablets and PDAs)
and BYOD policies to leverage the benefits from their EHR solution. These devices are not designed for the needs of
the healthcare sector. They are insufficiently robust for the workplace, do not have the working life needed to cost justify
deployment at all staff levels and, by their very nature, can be used for non-healthcare purposes.
HEALTHCARE SPECIFIC DEVICES: Recognising that
EHR vendors and healthcare users needed a reliable
device to use in their jobs some manufacturers have
developed healthcare specific mobile devices.
One such device is the PIVOT solution from Spectralink,
Capable of integrating with third party healthcare solutions
the PIVOT solution offers smart-phone like usability and
design but is uniquely engineered with unrivalled durability,
longevity, and the support needed to leverage the mobile
benefits from EHR solutions.

In its report “Managing and administering medication in care homes for older people” the Centre for Policy on
Aging (CPA) has suggested that a resident receiving medication three times a day would be certain (99.9%
chance) of receiving at least one medication administration error every month.
Medication Management
Electronic Medication Management (EMM) solutions can reduced medical errors and deliver better compliance, time
and cost savings, and drug safety. These solutions comprise electronic prescribing, dispensing, and medication
administration. Smart devices are most effective in the field of medication administration. They are pivotal in achieving
the benefits of EMM and helping medicine rounds become a simpler, quicker task, with reduced risk.
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION: The touch screens and Wi-Fi connectivity of smart devices mean staff can access the
medicine regimes of patients at the point the medicine is administered – the medicines they need and when they need
them can be confirmed at the bedside.
Barcode systems reduce errors further by confirming that the correct medicine is given to the correct patient at the right
time. The CPA reported that, in a hospital, a barcode system linked to electronic Medication Administration Records
(eMAR) eliminated transcription errors and, in a care home, avoided a large number of medication administration errors.
eMAR UPTAKE: Studies suggest that care home and medical staff are more willing to embrace medication
administration solutions if they are reliable, easy to use, and do not add to their workload – carrying multiple devices
does not fit with this requirement. Consumer smartphones or tablets are occasionally used to provision EMM solutions.
However, these lack an adequate barcode reader and the
care giver or nurse must still carry an additional device.
INTEGRATED DEVICES: The solution is, provision the
eMAR solution with smart devices which include a barcode
reader. Spectralink PIVOT is a healthcare focused device
which has the option to include an industry class bar-code
reader. PIVOT is designed and built for healthcare, is
capable of integrating with third party healthcare solutions,
and offers smart-phone like usability, but, unlike consumer
devices, is engineered for durability and longevity.

Healthcare presents unique challenges for facilities management. Healthcare facilities must comply with
security, hygiene standards, and fire code regulations. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that medical
facilities, property resources, and equipment is working and operating effectively.
Facilities management
Smart devices linked with the Building Management System (BMS), Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC),
and other property and process systems through a messaging solution help deliver a responsive and timely maintenance
regime.
MOBILITY: Facilities managers need to roam and still be able to monitor and control the facility and respond to
emergencies. Troubleshooting via smart devices can deliver advantages for productivity and operational improvements.
REAL-TIME TASK MANAGEMENT: This offers significant
benefits for healthcare. It enables facilities engineers
to be automatically contacted by the BMS, HVAC, or
network management system. Alternatively, managers
can manually send work tickets to the smart devices of
the facilities team. This is possible through linking smart
devices with facilities management systems.
EXTENDING CONTROL: BMS solutions are being
extended to include surveillance, access, perimeter,
irrigation, energy meters, IP telephones, UPS and
generator control applications. It is the smart device that
helps the facilities management team manage these.
SMART DEVICES: Consumer grade devices are
sometimes linked with facilities solutions but are seldom
satisfactory or represent a good long-term investment.
More appropriate are devices such as the PIVOT from
Spectralink. These handsets are recommended and
supported by healthcare messaging solutions providers
Multitone and BlueSky Wireless.
Smart devices and FM in healthcare
An FM issue is reported immediately through a smart
device, an available maintenance engineer is found
using location information from their smart device and
a work order sent to their device. Confirmation of work
completed is sent from the engineers smart device.

Linked with healthcare solutions such as EHR, medication management, and facilities management systems
and used for critical messaging, smart devices will permeate into every corner of a healthcare providers
business and will play a pivotal role in delivering care and productivity enhancements.
Smart devices for healthcare
It is important to choose a device that is appropriate for the task and the healthcare worker. Deploying an inappropriate
device, or relying on a BYOD policy to leverage the benefits from the various solutions used in healthcare, may
compromise the healthcare providers ability to achieve its clinical and management goals and could prove expensive.
The type of mobile device chosen to work with your healthcare solutions is important if you want to maximise the benefits
that are leveraged from the solutions, give medical staff and care workers a device which delivers what they want, and at
the same time ensure that it meets the investment and depreciation targets required by the healthcare provider - whether
that be a medical centre, hospital, clinic, care-home or surgery.
The choice is to use either a consumer grade smart device or a device optimised for healthcare.
10-POINT CHECKLIST FOR CHOOSING A SMART DEVICE: All smart devices offer a bewildering set of features for
the healthcare organisation to use. Many are not required in healthcare. When used in a healthcare setting, the features
most needed in a smart device are:
Passes the Drop Test standard.
Delivers smartphone/tablet device capability.
Supports critical messaging solutions.
Connects with healthcare data and internet.
Is able to scan and capture patient & medical data.
Provides high quality voice capability.
Has a useful life of 5 years or more.
Allows control over app download.
Connects with the telephone system.
Is capable of shift working.
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The MIL standard Drop Test
Find a hard floor.
Drop the device from a height of 4 feet - 1.2 metres.
Drop it on its 6 faces, 12 edges, & 8 corners - 26 drops.
After each drop:
Visually inspect for damage.
Check that it still works.
1.
2.
3.
4.
a.
b.

Consumer grade smartphones and tablets are sometimes used in healthcare. Provided by the
organisation or permitted under a BYOD policy such devices are not ideal for healthcare and may be
dysfunctional in regard to achieving the healthcare providers performance targets, and patient care.
Consumer smart devices
RESTRICTED ROLL OUT: A BYOD policy is unlikely to result in an effective roll out of a healthcare solution. The
benefits will be available only to those staff who invest in a personal device. The alternative of provisioning the solution
with consumer grade devices may be costly meaning that only a few senior staff will be able to be equipped with devices.
DISRUPTION: Personal text messages, social media, and calls cannot be ‘turned off’ or separated from work applications.
Staff using consumer devices may get distracted taking their attention away from their work and reduce their productivity.
INFECTION CONTROL: Consumer smart phones can lead to contamination of bacteria and MRSA because they are not
cleaned properly. The RCN advises cleaning with detergent and disinfectant. Consumer devices cannot withstand the
disinfectants used in healthcare.
WORKPLACE FRIENDLY: With its hard floors the healthcare environment is not consumer device friendly. Devices are
not designed to pass the MIL standard drop test and when dropped will more than likely suffer damage.
PRIVACY AND DATA SECURITY: Smartphone features which allow the sharing of photos, data, or texts expose the
provider to the possibility of violating patient privacy. The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement has suggest that
a risk of texting is ensuring that the correct person has received and understood the information sent via text - in the USA,
texting about patients over the public network is banned.
CONNECTIVITY: Smart devices need robust and reliable
data connectivity. Using public cellular data connectivity
to access applications and data is okay for staff who
work off-site, but for in-building connectivity to healthcare
applications, and voice services it does not work. Poor
in-building coverage and no access to UC productivity tools
means solutions which use the public cellular network are
not competitive against those which use a WLAN network
for in-building service provision.

Healthcare optimised smart devices offer significant benefits for the healthcare provider. Designed for the
healthcare environment they are ready to link with many healthcare solutions.
Healthcare optimised devices
DESIGNED FOR THE WORKPLACE Healthcare optimised smart devices such as the PIVOT from Spectralink are
designed to pass the MIL standard drop test and are able to withstand long term us in what could be an unfriendly
environment.
RESISTANT TO DISINFECTANTS The PIVOT healthcare
smart devices are resistant to disinfectants.
HEALTHCARE APPLICATION READY Healthcare
optimised devices such as PIVOT come ready for
integration with healthcare solutions. Available on selected
devices these include:
Patient Monitoring – Spectralink NOTIFY:
Supports the integration of Spectralink devices
with middleware vendors and patient monitoring
applications - alerts and alarms are delivered directly
to the device.
Care worker safety – Spectralink SAFE: Supports
integration of Spectralink devices with solutions
which detect situations where a health worker may
be in danger or need assistance - it enables lone,
mobile workers to quickly summon help.
Nurse Call – Spectralink Reach: Brings together
nurse call systems and wireless handsets to deliver
alerts to mobile staff from any in-building location.
Secure Messaging – Spectralink Connect:
Information can be distributed with the confidence

© Independent Computer Owners Network PLC. 2008. E&OE
Contact us
For more information contact ICON on 01727 730000,
or email info@icon-plc.co.uk
icon-plc.co.uk
Ref WP04 © ICON PLC 2016
that nothing is stored on the mobile device -
ensuring patient privacy, and providing care givers
with powerful communications options on the job.
Spectralink CONNECT integrates into existing
mobile communications infrastructure.
In addition selected Spectralink devices can provide
a message-to-all or message-to-many function so,
if there is a medical emergency or a security issue
teams can be co-ordinated to resolve problems
quickly and easily.
MULTI-FUNCTION: Multi-function healthcare devices such
as PIVOT can be used as barcode readers, pagers, tablet computers, and telephones. Using a single device to provision
a number of service functions means few devices for the care worker to carry. PIVOT is one of the few solutions to offer
the option of a 2D industrial grade barcode scanner.
BUDGET FRIENDLY: The lifetime costs of healthcare smart devices such as the PIVOT is a strong argument for their use
in healthcare. With a useable life of 5 years or more amortisation costs are low and there are no network charges, and
with fewer breakages, and devices that have no purpose outside of the organisation, equipment losses are negligible.
UNIVERSAL USAGE: The lifetime cost profile means that it is possible to cost justify provisioning all healthcare worker
roles with a device. In comparison, consumer grade devices with their short life span, high attrition rate due to breakages
and losses means that often only a few senior care worker roles can be provisioned.
In addition, for health care staff who don’t necessarily need the versatility of a smart touch screen Spectralink provided
other wireless handset solutions, the 8400 series Wi-Fi solutions and the DECT wireless 7400 series
For almost a quarter of a century ICON has distributed
communication based work solutions. It represents
some of the worlds leading brands including.
Spectralink wireless handset solutions
Extricom Wi-Fi infrastructure
4ipnet Wi-Fi infrastructure and internet access
Nomadix internet access solutions
BlueSky Wireless messaging
Multitone wireless messaging
Vertical UC solutions
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Smart Handsets/Devices
bibliography
CARE HOMES | MEDICAL CENTRES | HOSPITALS | CLINICS | SURGERIES
RCN guidance nursing staff using personal mobile phones for work purposes : http://bit.ly/1ZdIVAl
Managing and administering medication in care homes for older people : http://bit.ly/1FWCJ6L
Texting - NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement : http://bit.ly/1TRL1lF
Mobile Phones in Hospital Settings: A Serious Threat to Infection Control Practices : http://bit.ly/1ZdJkmr
Smartphone equipment a risk for hospital infections : http://bit.ly/1YmQLFj
icon-plc.co.uk
Contact us
For more information contact ICON on 01727 730000,
or email info@icon-plc.co.uk
Ref WP04 © ICON PLC 2016

Smart devices in healthcare

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