66 Percent of Healthcare IT Decision Makers Believe iPad-Style Devices Create Governance Challenges

Limited hardware configurability, device fragility and security concerns leave IT worried about deploying and supporting consumer tablets in healthcare settings

SECAUCUS, N.J., Jan 30, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Panasonic, an industry leader in rugged, reliable mobile computers, has published a white paper on the "consumerization" of healthcare IT, specifically through media tablet devices like the iPad. The white paper, "Diagnosis Danger: Governance & Security Issues Cause IT Concerns About iPad in Healthcare Setting," highlights the growing concerns of healthcare IT executives trying to meet the demands to support consumer-grade computing devices.
The study, conducted by BizTechReports, an independent research and reporting agency, found major operational issues for media tablets in healthcare, with 66 percent of respondents stating consumer tablets, like the iPad, create governance challenges for their organizations. Other concerns include security, durability and EHR compliance.
The results of the survey reveal that consumerization in general has created a conundrum for healthcare CIOs and their IT departments. Pressure to adopt and integrate technologies, like consumer tablets, is growing, but concerns are also on the rise. The study showed that 74 percent of respondents said consumer-grade tablets present challenges for entering data into enterprise-grade healthcare applications. Another 66 percent of participants believe providing technical support on consumer-grade tablets raises IT costs.
Research featured in the white paper is based on responses from 100 executives and senior IT professionals in the healthcare sector. The report provides an assessment of various issues raised by the introduction of consumer-grade technologies, specifically the iPad, and provides a framework for how IT executives can engage with healthcare practitioners as well as management to address these issues in a productive manner.
"Consumer-grade technology, like the iPad and many of the other tablets we see entering the market today, were not designed to operate or survive in commercial environments like healthcare," said Panasonic's Greg Davidson, Executive Business Development Manager. "We agree the form factor has great potential, but wanted to better understand the concerns of IT professionals in the healthcare market. The study we commissioned allows us to better understand our customer's needs and is a useful tool for any healthcare organization interested in deploying tablet technology."
Reliability and durability proved to be a major point of concern for HIT decision makers. 94 percent of participants feel that device durability and "ruggedness" are important requirements in hospital and clinical settings. In a healthcare environment, the likelihood of a mobile device falling, being dropped or spilled upon, is high. Consumer grade technologies are not designed to operate or to survive for long in such a rugged setting.
Download the Full Report
For a full copy of the Panasonic-sponsored BizTechReports white paper visit: ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/pub/Panasonic/business-solutions/whitepapers/PSC_Diagnosis_Danger.pdf.
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Based in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic Corporation of North America provides a broad line of digital and other electronics products and services for consumer, business and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation PC -0.12% , and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic was the only Consumer Electronics company to be listed in the top ten brands on the Interbrand Best Global Green Brands 2011 ranking ( http://www.interbrand.com/en/best-global-brands/Best-Global-Green-Brands/2011-Report/BestGlobalGreenBrandsTable-2011.aspx ). As part of its continuing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, Panasonic Corporation of North America will relocate its operations to a new eco-efficient office tower adjacent to a mass transit hub in Newark, NJ in 2013. Information about Panasonic Eco Ideas initiatives is available at http://panasonic.net/eco/ecoideas/ . Information about Panasonic and its products is available at www.panasonic.com . Additional company information for journalists is also available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom . LINK
SOURCE: Panasonic Solutions Company