In healthcare technology, merging biomedical device
management with IT infrastructure is crucial. Info-Tech Research
Group's recent research-backed industry blueprint highlights how
this integration enhances patient data security and operational
efficiency. The firm advises that healthcare organizations embrace
this collaboration to better navigate the challenges of modern
healthcare, prioritizing patient safety and cybersecurity.
TORONTO, May 6, 2024
/PRNewswire/ - As healthcare continues its rapid digital
transformation, the need to integrate biomedical device management
with IT infrastructure is becoming increasingly crucial. This
digital shift, while improving efficiency and patient care, also
exposes the sector to heightened cybersecurity threats. Recent
incidents and news headlines have exposed some of the
vulnerabilities in connected medical devices, making the case for
holistic integration strategies more pressing. Info-Tech Research
Group's latest research, Integrate Biomedical Device
Management With IT, addresses these challenges, offering
healthcare organizations a proactive approach to safeguard and
streamline patient data, ensuring both safety and operational
efficiency.
"Medical devices in hospitals are often old, hard to see, and
unprotected from vulnerabilities and hacking. Legacy medical
devices were never designed to be connected, let alone secured, on
today's digital networks, which poses a unique cybersecurity risk
that can directly endanger patient privacy and
safety," says Sharon Auma-Ebanyat, research director at
Info-Tech Research Group. "With the rise of connected devices,
there is an increase in risks and security concerns for the
healthcare industry."
Info-Tech's research highlights the significant risks associated
with seemingly minor processes in healthcare operations. Functions
like asset management, configuration management, and support have
become critical components for maintaining health services with
minimal room for error.
"The network effects associated with connected platforms make
medical device security a pressing issue," explains
Auma-Ebanyat. "In most hospitals, biomedical device management
oversight sits under facilities management and is not integrated
with the organization's IT department, which limits the capability
for effective visibility and security monitoring of these
devices."
The healthcare industry frequently encounters challenges arising
from the lack of proper asset and configuration management tracking
systems. These systems and databases are crucial for effectively
monitoring and managing the complex landscape of biomedical
devices. To attain the necessary maturity and proficiency in
comprehensive biomedical device management, Info-Tech advises that
a cohesive approach involving coordination, strategic planning, and
leadership alignment across the organization is imperative.
"The convergence of biomedical device management with IT is a
growing trend in healthcare organizations and the most viable
solution to achieve the needed level of maturity and capability for
end-to-end biomedical device management," adds
Auma-Ebanyat. "Coordination and planning across the organization
and its leadership is required to obtain stakeholder buy-in and
support. It is important to understand the current state of
biomedical device management, trends, connected device
vulnerabilities, and benefits of integrating with IT."
The firm's new blueprint stresses the need for IT leaders to
understand the landscape of biomedical device management, including
emerging trends, vulnerabilities in connected devices, and the
advantages of aligning with IT. By integrating biomedical device
management with IT infrastructure, healthcare organizations can
bolster efficiency, elevate patient safety, optimize resource
allocation, and fortify data security.
In the resource, Info-Tech outlines the following four-phase
framework to help healthcare organizations develop integrated
biomedical device management programs:
Phase 1: Create the Program Vision: Define program goals,
guiding principles, and distinctive attributes that will steer the
integration process.
Phase 2: Conduct a Current State Analysis: Conduct a
current state analysis of the department, looking at current
staffing, workflows, policies in place, inventory management, and
the overall lifecycle management of the biomedical device
department.
Phase 3: Define the Future State: Facilitate sessions to
define program governance and capture in the governance model. This
includes the staffing model and staffing requirements, program gaps
and how they will be managed, and the required changes to the
workflow.
Phase 4: Design the Biomedical Device Management Program
Roadmap: Identify tasks, dependencies, and risks before
developing a robust risk management plan for smooth program
execution.
The firm also examines the transformative potential of
advancements in sensor technology and connectivity solutions. These
advancements are democratizing access to more sophisticated and
affordable medical devices, thereby making the Internet of Medical
Things (IoMT) increasingly accessible to both healthcare providers
and patients alike.
For exclusive and timely commentary from Sharon Auma-Ebanyat, an
expert in the healthcare technology industry, and access to the
complete Integrate Biomedical Device Management With
IT blueprint, please contact pr@infotech.com.
Info-Tech LIVE 2024
Registration is now open for Info-Tech Research Group's annual
IT conference, Info-Tech LIVE 2024, taking place September 17 to 19, 2024, at the iconic Bellagio
in Las Vegas. This premier event
offers journalists, podcasters, and media influencers access to
exclusive content, the latest IT research and trends, and the
opportunity to interview industry experts, analysts, and speakers.
To apply for media passes to attend the event or gain access to
research and expert insights on trending topics, please contact
pr@infotech.com.
About Info-Tech Research
Group
Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading
research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR
professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant
research and provides advisory services to help leaders make
strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30
years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them
with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst
guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their
organizations.
To learn more about Info-Tech's divisions, visit McLean &
Company for HR research and advisory
services and SoftwareReviews for software buying
insights.
Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to
research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry
analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access,
contact pr@infotech.com.
For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the
latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via
LinkedIn and X.
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SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group