Apple Deploying iPad to Patients Setup Guide

Contents

Overview

Getting Prepared

Evaluate your infrastructure Create a configuration Automate device setup

In-Room Storage

Perform initial setup

Reset your device

Centralized Storage

Set up Apple Configurator Automate device refresh Install Apple Remote Desktop

Summary

Deploying iPad to Patients

Setup Guide

Overview

Healthcare institutions are increasingly focused on engaging patients to become actively engaged in their health and delivering a great experience throughout their stay in the hospital. Deploying iPad with patient-centered apps enables hospitals to enhance each step of the patient journey, from check-in through discharge. With third-party iPadOS apps, hospitals can empower patients to access their daily schedule, connect with their care team, track their progress, get educated on their treatment plan, and personalize their entertainment—putting patients in the center of care.

This Setup Guide offers guidance to the hospital IT staff who are configuring and deploying iPad for patients to use. iPad can be preconfigured with minimal setup so patients have access to iPadOS apps, and IT can use mobile device management (MDM) to protect patient data while also preserving a great user experience. Once a patient has been discharged, the iPad can be securely wiped so all patient-generated data is removed, and reset to factory settings so it’s ready for the next patient to use.

A key decision when deploying iPad to patients is to choose between in-room versus centralized storage of the device (described in the In-Room Storage and Centralized Storage sections). In-room storage is enabled by over-the-air (OTA) wiping and resetting of iPad, which allows devices to stay in the patient room at all times. Many hospitals prefer this deployment because it minimizes the work required from nurses or other staff members. At the same time, there may be compelling reasons for centralized storage deployment, such as when there are fewer iPad devices than rooms or when there are readily available staff or volunteers who can help keep track of devices as patients are admitted or discharged.

Regardless of which deployment scenario you choose, the preparation steps described in this paper are important for any successful deployment.

Deploying iPad to Patients | Setup Guide | November 2020

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Getting Prepared

This section outlines three steps to follow when preparing to deploy devices and apps in the hospital.

Evaluate your infrastructure

The first step is to evaluate your network infrastructure. The physical layout of the hospital and how people interact within the physical space is critical to how you design your network and plan for Wi-Fi coverage and capacity.

Wi-Fi and networking

Consistent and dependable access to a wireless network is key to setting up and configuring iPad devices. Confirm that your hospital’s Wi-Fi network can support multiple devices with simultaneous connections from all your users.

You might also need to configure your web proxy or firewall ports if devices are unable to access Apple’s activation servers. Apple and Cisco are optimizing the network experience for devices using iOS 10 or later or iPadOS. Talk to your Apple or Cisco representative to get the latest information about these networking features.

Content caching

An integrated feature of macOS,content caching stores a local copy of frequently requested content from Apple servers, helping minimize the amount of bandwidth needed to download content on your network. Content caching speeds up the download and delivery of software through the App Store and Mac App Store. It can also cache software updates for faster downloading to multiple iPadOS devices. Content caching includes the tethered caching service, which allows a Mac to share its internet connection with many iPad devices connected by USB.

Invest in an MDM solution

MDM gives organizations the ability to securely enroll iPadOS devices in the hospital environment, wirelessly configure and update settings, establish policies, deploy and manage apps, and remotely wipe or lock managed devices. These features are built into iPadOS and are enabled by third-party MDM solutions. MDM solutions are available from a wide range of vendors and can be cloud hosted or installed on premise. MDM solutions come with different features and pricing, so you have flexibility in deciding which solution best fits your needs. Some MDM solution providers also offer predefined settings that make it even easier to configure devices for patient use.

Deploying iPad to Patients | Setup Guide | November 2020

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Create a configuration

Once you’ve selected an MDM solution, you’ll need to create a configuration that’s specifically optimized for the patient use case and that your MDM solution can install over the air. A configuration will typically contain settings and restrictions that set up the device in a posture that’s appropriate for patient use. These settings will help streamline the initial patient experience and disable features or services that might store personal data or be unnecessary.

Restrictions

The following are examples of restrictions you’re likely to enable so that no personal information is left on the device. Note: Descriptions may vary by MDM solution.

Device management: Disallow manual profile installation, disallow configuring of restrictions, disallow device name changing, disallow account modification, force Limit Ad Tracking, and disallow pairing with non-Configurator hosts.

Data management: Disallow documents from managed sources in unmanaged destinations, disallow documents from unmanaged sources in managed destinations, and enforce AirDrop as an unmanaged destination.

Apps: Disallow the App Store icon on the Home screen, disallow app removal, disallow in-app purchase, disallow user to trust unmanaged enterprise apps, and hide specific apps on the Home screen.

Media: Disallow use of Game Center, skip Apple ID password for media purchases, and restrict media content as needed.

Home screen layout, Lost Mode, and other settings

You can manage how apps, folders, and web clips are arranged on the Home screen of supervised devices. Enable use of the camera so hospital staff can scan a patient’s QR code using a secure patient app or add the patient’s photo to an electronic medical record (EMR) app. To track missing iPad devices, make sure your MDM supports the features related to Lost Mode, such as a lost message text, query location of device, and reenable Lost Mode after a reset or restore. Note that Lost Mode will allow an administrator to query the location of a lost device even if the user has disabled location services.

Deploying iPad to Patients | Setup Guide | November 2020

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