BYOD Benefits for Nurses
The benefits of BYOD have been widely discussed in recent weeks; however recent research has highlighted important healthcare BYOD benefits for nurses.
The use of Smartphones in the workplace is becoming more popular, with many companies now embracing BYOD schemes. However, there are many obstacles in the way: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) being the main one. The potential for Protected Health Information (PHI) to be compromised is considerable when personal devices are used for work purposes.
If data stored on or accessed through Smartphones and other portable devices can be protected – the technology does exist – healthcare BYOD schemes bring many benefits and can improve the care that is provided to patients.
Healthcare BYOD Benefits for Nurses and Healthcare Providers
Just a few years ago, if nurses or other healthcare professionals were required to use a device for communication, it would be supplied by the hospital. Now, BYOD schemes for nurses mean they can use their own devices instead. This has a number of benefits. There is no need to spend time learning how to use a new device, and nurses like using their own devices and can do so quickly. The result: more time can be spent with patients.
There is good evidence to suggest that this is actually the case. Fierce Mobile decided to investigate the use of mobile devices in healthcare. The number of hospitals that allow more than 50% of their staff to use mobiles at work is now 61%. It is now also more common for nurses to be included in BYOD schemes.
69% of Nurses Use Personal Mobiles at Work
In 2012, Point of Care Computing for Nursing conducted a survey that indicates 69% of nurses are using their personal mobile phones at work. Nurses are using their phones to check personal emails and visit social networks, but the data suggests that 36 percent were using their smartphones to access patient health data. The reason: It is faster and more convenient to do so. It allows them to access the data required which has an important impact on the provision of quality patient care.
There are other healthcare BYOD benefits too, such as having quick and easy access to medical resources, such as drug interaction information, dosage details, and drug reference sources. Apps are frequently downloaded by doctors and nurses to give them the information they need, when they need it. Faster that was previously possible.
Fast and Efficient Accessing of Important Healthcare Information
The survey also highlighted some other important benefits; such as hours of saved time. Personal devices are quicker than hospital references and help to ensure fewer “communication gaps and misunderstandings.”
With such a wide range of healthcare apps now being produced specifically for healthcare professionals, and the huge range of BYOD benefits that can be gained, it is only a matter of time before all hospitals and healthcare systems start allowing the use of personal mobiles at work.