HIMSS Analytics: Mobile Device Use Rising, But Doubters Remain

Mobile devices continue to dominate the healthcare space, according to the latest HIMSS Analytics Essentials Brief, which found that the both the number of hospitals using smartphones and tablets and the number of devices deployed throughout healthcare organizations have increased steadily over the past few years.

In the survey, which included responses from 139 clinicians, 28 percent of US hospitals reported that smartphones are being used at their organization, with an average of 169 devices being deployed per hospital. Twenty-four percent of US hospitals reported use of tablet computers, with an average of 37 devices deployed per hospital. The study also found that 68 percent of clinicians reported using both a desktop/laptop computer and a smartphone/tablet computer to access information.

However, while clinicians reported leveraging mobile technologies for numerous tasks, there is still room for growth, according to HIMSS Analytics, which found that 69 percent of respondents said they used apps to access clinical information, yet only 33 percent believe they can access most or all of the clinical systems technologies they need via smartphones/tablet computers.

In terms of the potential effect mobile device use can have on improving care quality, one-third of clinicians indicated it would overall efficiencies in care, such as eliminating redundancies in care. One-third of respondents also indicated that use of these devices could have a positive impact on overall quality of care and care coordination.