Bug Tag-4                                                                                                                                      WC Blog 335
iPad Theft-3
Alpha Security-3
Ipads Improve Patient Services; Protect Those Ipads And The Information They Carry With Bug Tags
     As the benefits of using mobile medical devices are becoming more apparent, it is interesting to see the ways various doctors’ offices are employing them. I was combing the internet and came across an interesting article on the use of iPads in the optometry field. In his article in Optometry Time, April 22, 2015, “iPads in the optometry office How I put technology to use on a day to day basis”, Chief Optometric Editor Ernie Bowling, OD, FAOO, writes about his transition to the use of iPads to improve service to his customers and improve office efficiency. He states, “In our office, use of the iPad begins when the patient enters the office if not before. The iPad has, as intended, completely replaced the clipboard in our office.” He writes that his patients can complete intake forms, “…once at the office, complete them on the iPad. We have several iPads dedicated to patient registration.” In my opinion, the option of going digital is a welcome change to the hassle of paper. My concern is that as I looked at the picture of his patients in the office completing the forms on the iPads, I see no protections for the devices to prevent someone from running off with one. The security professional in me sees this as a major concern but one that could be addressed with the use of an Alpha Security Bug Tag on each device and a Classic N10 Checkpoint antenna at the doors.
     The Bug Tag has an adhesive sled attached to the body of the tag itself. The sled is stuck to whatever item the medical facility needs to protect and if the time comes the device is to be taken out of service, the body is detached from the sled and reused on a new item. The sled is disposable and therefore is simply thrown away. Before being removed from the device, the body of the tag must be detached from the sled with a detachment tool acquired from Alpha Security. Without the removal tool, any attempt to take the tag off will result in a tamper alarm being activated (bad news for criminals with the intent of an iPad theft).  An additional protection the tag has is when it is used with electronic article surveillance towers at the front doors to a business. With towers like the Checkpoint Classic N10 system in place, a mobile device with a Bug Tag on it will be picked up by the towers and this sets off alarms and lights built in the tower. The alarms provide warning to employees that a theft attempt is taking place and they can recover the iPad or tablet before it leaves the building.
      Aside from patient’s filling out new patient information on iPads, the doctor mentions several other uses he has for the mobile devices in his practice. His, “…technician has a dedicated iPad for patient preliminaries…I carry the iPad with me from room to room, accessing and reviewing the patient’s chart before entering the exam room.” The doctor goes on to mention that his practice uses the camera on the iPad to take pictures of the patient to help prevent insurance fraud and to avoid chart errors. They complete prescriptions on the iPads and reduce the potential errors they may have had when staff had to interpret his handwriting. He names a number of other functions they have used to improve their services but it is clear that with all of the patient data being stored, the risk of client information being compromised in the event of an iPad theft is significant. 
     Improving processes, reducing paperwork and finding ways to prevent medical errors and fraud are advantages that iPads can offer to healthcare providers. It is important to protect patient privacy and protected information and the Alpha Security Bug Tag can provide that security by preventing iPad theft.
Need information on Bug Tags? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.

As the benefits of using mobile medical devices are becoming more apparent, it is interesting to see the ways various doctors’ offices are employing them. I was combing the internet and came across an interesting article on the use of i-pads in the optometry field. In his article in Optometry Time, April 22, 2015, “i-pads in the optometry office How I put technology to use on a day to day basis”, Chief Optometric Editor Ernie Bowling, OD, FAOO, writes about his transition to the use of i-pads to improve service to his customers and improve office efficiency. He states, “In our office, use of the i-pad begins when the patient enters the office if not before. The i-pad has, as intended, completely replaced the clipboard in our office.” He writes that his patients can complete intake forms, “…once at the office, complete them on the i-pad. We have several i-pads dedicated to patient registration.” In my opinion, the option of going digital is a welcome change to the hassle of paper. My concern is that as I looked at the picture of his patients in the office completing the forms on the i-pads, I see no protections for the devices to prevent someone from running off with one. The security professional in me sees this as a major concern but one that could be addressed with the use of an Alpha Security Bug Tag on each device and a Classic N10 Checkpoint antenna at the doors.
     

The Bug Tag has an adhesive sled attached to the body of the tag itself. The sled is stuck to whatever item the medical facility needs to protect and if the time comes the device is to be taken out of service, the body is detached from the sled and reused on a new item. The sled is disposable and therefore is simply thrown away. Before being removed from the device, the body of the tag must be detached from the sled with a detachment tool acquired from Alpha Security. Without the removal tool, any attempt to take the tag off will result in a tamper alarm being activated (bad news for criminals with the intent of an i-pad theft).  An additional protection the tag has is when it is used with electronic article surveillance towers at the front doors to a business. With towers like the Checkpoint Classic N10 system in place, a mobile device with a Bug Tag on it will be picked up by the towers and this sets off alarms and lights built in the tower. The alarms provide warning to employees that a theft attempt is taking place and they can recover the iPad or tablet before it leaves the building.
     

Aside from patient’s filling out new patient information on i-pads, the doctor mentions several other uses he has for the mobile devices in his practice. His, “…technician has a dedicated i-pad for patient preliminaries…I carry the i-pad with me from room to room, accessing and reviewing the patient’s chart before entering the exam room.” The doctor goes on to mention that his practice uses the camera on the i-pad to take pictures of the patient to help prevent insurance fraud and to avoid chart errors. They complete prescriptions on the i-pads and reduce the potential errors they may have had when staff had to interpret his handwriting. He names a number of other functions they have used to improve their services but it is clear that with all of the patient data being stored, the risk of client information being compromised in the event of an i-pad theft is significant. 
     

Improving processes, reducing paperwork and finding ways to prevent medical errors and fraud are advantages that i-pads can offer to healthcare providers. It is important to protect patient privacy and protected information and the Alpha Security Bug Tag can provide that security by preventing i-pad theft.

 

Need information on Bug Tags? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.