Remote desktop support in the medical office

These days, it seems like there is almost no reason for a computer support technician to visit your office if he/she can access your PC remotely. Simply turn on your PC and let the remote person take over. That's why remote desktop support has gained such popularity in the medical community and we can all anticipate the need for more support as hospitals and medical offices turn to computers for health records and order entry.

A few months ago, I was speaking with several physicians who were looking for remote support for healthcare because they were dealing with electronic health records (EHRs) that also included personal health records (PHRs) for patients. They wanted to make sure that remote support providers were going to operate in a manner that would not violate any HIPAA regulations concerning patient privacy and data security. A related issue to data security and privacy surrounds the type of remote support software that you'll need to install on your computers. Some applications may open up your network of computers to malicious attacks from hackers. Some may conflict with other remote access software that you may be running for your office staff or other support teams that need to access your EHR or your lab data.

Before you completely rely on remote desktop support, make sure to invest in a backup Internet connection. The simplest form is a 3G or 4G wireless Wi-Fi hotspot that will allow you to connect all your PCs to the Internet. If you have desktop computers, get wireless access cards (Wi-Fi) for them as well.

Will the all-in-one PC become the new standard?

The all-in-one PC could become the new standard if it became super-easy to replace the CPU. After all, if you purchase an all-in-one that has a large screen (say 23 or 27") and you have plenty of hard drive space and memory, then the only thing you're likely to upgrade in the future is the CPU.

Will desktop PCs evolve in such a way that the all-in-one becomes the new standard? That would certainly eliminate a ton of waste, wouldn't it? It would be much better for the environment if we weren't throwing away so many CPUs, motherboards, and old hard drives.

I've had the opportunity to test the Lenovo ThinkCentre M90z and I've been impressed by way that you can easily open the case to upgrade and replace parts. You don't need any tools to open the back and the components are easy to reach.

I wouldn't be surprised if the future of home and business computing revolved around all-in-one PCs. More and more people are buying laptops over desktops. They don't need the portability, but the like the space-saving design and the convenience factor. For those who need a larger screen for better productivity, the all-in-one will be a better choice than the traditional desktop tower.

Power outage: another reason to use a mobile computer

Several physician offices in our area lost power over the weekend because of heavy winds. A few of them are currently using electronic health records (EHRs). Can you still function if your power goes out? Probably not. However, at least you can still maintain some level of productivity while you wait for the power to come back on.

If you're relying on an Internet connection, you can still access your EHR if you have a 3G wireless card for your mobile computer. Everyone should have some type of backup Internet connection and a 3G wireless card is a very practical option. So, if you're still trying to decide between a desktop/workstation (along with an uninterrupted power supply or UPS) vs. a mobile PC like a tablet or laptop, think about power outages.

Do physicians prefer mobile computers or workstations? #HIMSS10

Here at HIMSS10, I heard several stories where hospitals were trying to determine what type of computing form factor they should adopt as they prepared to transition from paper orders to computerized physician order entry (CPOE). Do physicians prefer mobile computers like laptops and tablet PCs, or do they prefer workstations with large monitors?

You can't answer this question through a series of surveys. However, you could set up a "tech day" where you set up several different clinical stations that simulate the clinical workflow. Station one may have a slate tablet PC. Station two may have a workstation with a 19" monitor. Station three may have a convertible tablet attached to a docking station and large monitor. You can have physicians try each different station and rate their level of comfort at each station.

In general, you'll find that older physicians like the larger monitors. Younger physicians who train with tablet PCs and laptops will prefer mobility. How do you reconcile these differences?

Special thanks to HP for sponsoring me to attend HIMSS10 and blog about my experiences.

$500 is a nice price point for a laptop

I'm shopping for a laptop for a medical office that currently has a series of desktops, laptops, and tablet PCs. I've been asked to look for a business laptop that's in a reasonable price range. I did a quick search and found one for roughly $500. Now, you can get a really decent laptop for less (and I'm not talking about a netbook). $400 is a reasonable low-end starting point for a new system. You'll easily find a refurbished or "outlet" system in the $400-500 range as well.

So, are you planning on shopping for a new computer this holiday season? Keep in mind that you may find a really decent business laptop for less than $500, so if you already missed Black Friday, then simply get online to find a good deal.

Should you get a desktop or a laptop?

In the past, it made a lot of sense to get a desktop computer. You get much more processing power, storage space, RAM, etc. for much less money. Now, as laptops become more affordable and power-efficient, it's becoming a difficult decision for consumers who do not need the "latest and greatest" in computing horsepower.

For instance, if you work in a medical office and you need a simple computer to run your EHR (electronic health record), then you don't need premium graphics or a super-fast processor. Any modern computer will probably suffice since many EHR solutions are built to run on relatively modest computers. This means that a modern laptop that may cost $400-600 will be more than sufficient. I'm not talking about tiny netbooks. If you're shopping for your office and you're spending more than $800 for a standard business laptop, then you might be paying too much. Of course, if you choose to get a tablet PC, then you can expect to spend much more for these. 

Many office personnel don't use a tablet, so they're generally fine with either a desktop or a laptop. Who needs a desktop these days? Why not get a portable device that has its own built-in uninterruptible power supply ( UPS )? Why not get a laptop so that you have the flexibility to carry the computer to a different location? Why not get a laptop so that you can save on electricity costs? Why not get a laptop so that you can easily take work home? (then again, maybe you should not get a laptop).

So at the end of the day, if you're shopping for a computer for work purposes, it probably makes much more sense to get a laptop. Make sure to lock it down so that it doesn't easily wander off.

How much do you pay for a PC?

I was looking through some old records and I noticed that just a few years ago, I spent a lot of money for a new computer! Now, you can get netbooks for less than $300. At one time, I bought a tiny Sony Vaio laptop that was over $2,000!

A desktop that I had purchased back in 2004 was over $700 and that was even from an outlet store! Just last year, I purchased several desktops for a physician office for less than $300 each.

It really is incredible to look at the evolution of computer prices.