HIMSS Analytics survey: patient data access is greatest benefit of mobile tech

The greatest benefit of utilizing integrated mobile technologies is increased access to patient information and the ability to view data from a remote location, according to a Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Analytics survey of 170 healthcare IT and clinical personnel that was released at the HIMSS annual conference in Orlando, Fla.

Conversely, funding topped the list of barriers for providers seeking to integrate mobile technologies. Most providers remain in early stages of mobile technology adoption as 69 percent use a mobile device to view patient information while only a third (36 percent) use mobile technologies to collect data at the bedside.

This survey is the third one HIMSS Analytics has conducted that specifically examines the use of mobile devices in patient care improvement initiatives. Survey questions closely aligned with the mHIMSS Roadmap, a strategic framework that focuses on six areas of consideration when developing and implementing a mobile strategy: new care models, technology, ROI/payment, legal and policy, standards and interoperability and privacy and security.

In general findings:

• Legal and Policy: Fifty-nine percent have a mobile technology plan; 29 percent are developing a mobile technology plan; and HIPAA is the federal legislation most likely to impact the organizational mHealth environment.

• Privacy and Security: Ninety-five percent use at least one security tool to secure data on mobile devices. Passwords are the most widespread security device in place.
• New Care Models: Clinicians use technology primarily by looking up patient information; or looking at non-personal health information. Pharmacy management topped providers’ lists as the most likely use of mobile technologies.
• Technology: App development is mostly handled by vendors or third party vendors, and more than half of providers indicated interest in expanding app use in the future. One-third of respondents offer apps for patient/consumer use, up from 14 percent a year ago. Also, 62 percent indicated that they offer patients access to at least one of the mobile tools identified in the research, including patient portals, telehealth services and remote monitoring devices.
• ROI and Payment: Just half formally measure ROI related to their mobile technology investments. Only one third of respondents evaluate the total cost of ownership as it relates to their mobile strategy.
• Standards and Interoperability: Only 22 percent indicated that three-quarters of the data captured by mobile devices was integrated into the organization’s EMR. Most respondents can access data from clinical systems via mobile devices and clinicians are the most like to do this via Internet access using a VPN. More than half of the respondents indicate that alerts/notifications from remote monitoring devices are delivered via an EMR/clinical system alert.

“The survey reflects mobile technology as a transformational tool, as demonstrated by nearly all of the respondents supplying mobile technology to clinicians. This is a great example of how providers are integrating mHealth into today’s healthcare workflows. There is still work to be done by formally embracing mobile implementation strategies and measuring ROI,” David Collins, senior director of mHIMSS, said in a statement.