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Cybersecurity in Home Health — How to Keep Agency-Issued Tablets Secure in the Field

In pediatric home health, care is delivered in homes, on the road, and across multiple environments. Nurses and caregivers rely on technology to document visits, access care plans, and communicate with office staff. For this reason, agency-issued tablets are the recommended and most secure device for PediConnect.

These tablets offer controlled settings, standardized security features, and a clear separation between personal and work use. However, even the most secure device can become vulnerable if not handled properly. This month’s cybersecurity focus is on protecting agency-issued tablets in the field.

Why Tablet Security Matters in Home Health

Agency-issued tablets are used to:

• Document skilled nursing tasks
• Access patient charts and care plans
• Review schedules and EVV
• Communicate securely with the office
• Upload forms and visit notes
• Maintain compliance with agency and state requirements

Because these tablets access protected health information, they must remain secure at all times. A misplaced or unlocked device can expose sensitive data and create significant risk for families and agencies.

Practical Steps to Keep Agency-Issued Tablets Secure

Good cybersecurity starts with simple daily habits. These practices fit seamlessly into a home health nurse’s routine and help safeguard your device and patient information.

1. Lock the Tablet When Not in Use

Always:

• Use a strong passcode provided or approved by your agency.
• Enable auto-lock after a short period of inactivity.
• Use biometric features such as fingerprint or face authentication if enabled by the agency.

If a tablet is lost or stolen, a strong lock screen significantly reduces the chance of unauthorized access.

2. Never Leave the Tablet Unattended

To prevent unauthorized access:

• Do not leave tablets in vehicles, especially in plain sight.
• Bring your tablet with you when entering a patient’s home.
• Do not store tablets in public or common areas, even briefly.
• Keep the device within your line of sight at all times during your shift.

A tablet that is not supervised becomes a potential security risk.

3. Avoid Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi networks can be unsafe and expose the tablet to potential attacks.

Instead:

• Use your agency-approved secure mobile hotspot or secure connectivity method.
• Avoid logging in to PediConnect or accessing patient information on open networks.

Secure connections ensure data is encrypted and protected.

4. Keep Tablets Updated

Updates often contain important security patches.

• Install updates as directed by your agency’s IT or administrative team.
• Do not install apps unless they are pre-approved.
• Avoid storing any personal content on the tablet.

Keeping agency-issued tablets current protects against known vulnerabilities.

5. Use Tablets Strictly for Work Purposes

Agency-issued tablets are not intended for personal use.

To maintain security:

• Do not browse non-work websites.
• Do not log in to personal accounts.
• Do not take or store personal photos or files.
• Only use apps and features that are authorized by your agency.

Work-only usage reduces risk and keeps the device compliant with security requirements.

How PediConnect Supports Secure Tablet Use

PediConnect is built with security at its core. When paired with agency-issued tablets, it provides a high level of protection because:

• Tablets can be configured with agency-wide security settings
• Encryption protects data transmitted to and from PediConnect
• Role-based permissions ensure staff only see the information relevant to their role
• Devices can be managed, locked, or wiped remotely if lost

Using only agency-issued tablets ensures consistent, compliant, and secure access to PediConnect across your organization.