TECHNOLOGY & SOFTWARE


TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS


Simon Evans, Director at Subsidium, explains how care organisations can help staff to manage mobile devices, simplifying usage and enabling them to keep secure and up-to-date records.


Keeping accurate and timely healthcare records is more than just an essential for good practice and patient care.


The sector is subject to substantial regulation to protect patient privacy and avoid breaches of GDPR and Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulations, as well as associated reputational damage.


Many care organisations still rely upon paper-based recording of patient interactions and treatment.


This is cumbersome and inefficient, meaning notes must be written up then inputted separately later. It also allows for inaccuracies and errors resulting from misinterpretation of handwriting, and the possibility for documents, and therefore vital information, to be lost. Meanwhile, paper-based records are not readily searchable.


With ‘real time’ information now the norm, the expectation is that treatment should be recorded as it happens. Many providers record activity via mobile devices, usually dedicated apps on smartphones when care is provided remotely, and tablets or similar devices in dedicated care settings.


Information is uploaded in real time and is less subject to misinterpretation, while providing a central searchable dataset, ready for audit, with faster access to the information therein. Secure and well-maintained devices, with data stored securely in the cloud, minimise the risk of data breaches even if a device is lost or stolen.


Nonetheless, this approach still comes with some challenges. Carers accustomed to paper systems may be uncomfortable using technology, while technological challenges remain to ensure best practice in data protection and access.


This is where an independent managed service provider (MSP) can really add value, especially when compared with leaving mobile device management to an IT team or individual.


In some settings, these people have many other calls on their time, are unlikely to be available out of hours (when many devices may still be in use due to the round-the-clock nature of care work) and are unlikely to be experts in managing mobile devices.


SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE


Enterprise mobility management (EMM) systems enable organisations to enforce encryption, provide secure access (via either PIN policies, or role-based access on a mobile or tablet) and even remotely wipe data if a device is lost. Most EMM dashboards also contain extensive logging capabilities for auditing purposes.


COST AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY


EMM soſtware allows control of system and app updates, with new devices provisioned directly with all relevant apps and


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configurations. This ensures compliance and is easier and safer than relying on end users to download whatever apps they need themselves.


SHARED DEVICE CAPABILITIES


Shared devices are widely used in care settings. However, risk can be introduced if user-specific data such as email and app logins remains associated to the device.


A robust ‘Shared Device’ setup via EMM can help ensure data of this kind remain secure via integration into an IdP system such as Microsoſt Entra ID.


SCALABILITY


EMM systems enable care companies to easily roll out secure app-based solutions to an extensive user base, wherever they are located.


“Carers accustomed to paper


systems may be uncomfortable using technology.”


As an organisation grows, this approach offers even greater benefits compared with a paper-based approach; a digital approach is almost infinitely scalable.


SIMPLIFICATION


Not all users are tech-savvy. ‘Kiosk mode’ hugely simplifies the user experience, restricting it to a few apps – the ones they actually need for their work – helping to drive acceptance and adoption of digital solutions.


REMOTE TROUBLESHOOTING


Some EMM systems include native remote support solutions allowing access to devices from anywhere to make updates or changes or to support users wherever they are. This is particularly useful for scattered workforces such as in-home care providers.


In short, for care organisations of all kinds, engaging with a specialist EMM provider will rapidly pay dividends in device availability, suitability and overall compliance, ensuring carers can work efficiently and consistently, while reducing risks posed by human error and the overall administrative burden.


www.subsidium-ms.com www.tomorrowscare.co.uk


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