Mobile Enterprise and Health Care Adriane Montgomery Doré BADM 8317.01 Summer II August 18, 2014 Our Lady of the Lake University Abstract: The healthcare industry, as with every other industry, is in a constant state of change. In the past, patients would go to one institution and see a single doctor. Nowadays, patients with ailments such as cancer have an entire healthcare team assembled to aid in their recovery. This healthcare team consists of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals from various backgrounds and geographical locations. It is no longer feasible or prudent to have patient information in just one location, thus necessitating the use of mobile enterprise. Mobile enterprise is rapidly becoming a vital component within the healthcare industry. More and more, healthcare institutions are employing entire departments that specialize in information technology; specifically, patient electronic medical records. Portable electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, and smart phones, increasingly play an important part in improving the quality of care patients receive, ultimately contributing to their health and wellbeing. This literature review focuses on how mobile enterprise is rapidly changing the way the medical community operates, by exploring the various ways that mobile computing devices are integrated in day-to-day operations. Introduction: As society and businesses begin to depend on the Internet to conduct their social lives and businesses, there is a greater need for mobile applications, thus shifting the focus from paper to mobile enterprise. By eliminating the need for paper reports, employees are increasing productivity, minimizing errors in ordering products and supplies, and are able to work with real-time data. Mobile enterprise focuses on how mobile devices and technology can be used by businesses internally, externally and in between. Organizations are focusing on how mobile applications (apps) can increase revenue, control inventory management, improve customer service, and dispatch jobs to employees in the field (Turban, E., Volonino, L., & Wood, G.R., 2013). Like any industry, there are advantages and disadvantages to mobile enterprise. A few of the major advantages include quicker decision making due to employees having real time data, increased worker productivity, and improved forecasting capability. The majority of mobile devices are equipped with data encryption, securing sensitive information such as protected health information (PHI). Since security is no longer a major concern, due to encryption and data being backed up in secured data centers, mobile devices are only a portal for information access and updates. That being said, if an employee loses his/her mobile device it is not a major concern, since the data is stored elsewhere. There are also disadvantages of mobile enterprise, including Internet infrastructure, availability and connectivity, and successful employees. For example, productivity will suffer if individuals are out in the field and are not able to gain Internet access, or if underground cables are damaged due to severe unpredictable weather patterns and changes, such as flooding or earthquakes. As businesses progress to becoming more mobile, it is crucial that employers take into consideration the types of employees that are hired. Are they self-starters? Do they need an environment where they are working with others in person? Matching the employees to their capabilities will eventually eliminate this particular disadvantage (iPad CTO, 2014). The subtopic of this paper will focus on how mobile enterprise and healthcare is evolving from static workstations to dynamic stations with the use of iPads, tablets and mobile phones. As healthcare organizations move from static workstations to mobile stations with the use of Electronic Medical Records (EMR), patient records are more accessible, not only within the establishment, but also worldwide. Show More
