1. Running head: MOBILE DEVICES 1
Article Review #1 Mobile Devices
Jennifer Smith
Jacksonville University
February 23, 2014

2. Article Review #1 Mobile Devices
Cavoukian, A. (2013, November). Encrypt Your Mobile Devices: Do It Now. Canadian
Nurses Protective Society, 21(1).
Technology is an ever evolving phenomena. The introduction of technology into
the healthcare setting has increased overall patient outcomes and unfortunately has
become avenues for failures. Mobile devices have the capacity to provide immediate
diagnostic assessments and results, patient as well as practitioner education, and a direct
line of communication between the medical staff. It is vital that patients’ personal health
information (PHI) is protected from any type of invasion possible.
According to the article Encrypt Your Mobile Devices: Do It Now (2013), Ann
Cavoukian notes that nurses have a professional and legal obligation to protect the
privacy of patients’ PHI. She also identifies several barriers that may present in terms of
hospital and personal liability when utilizing mobile devices. I found the article
extremely realistic for practice utilization. The article also incorporates examples of
privacy breaches of PHI. The examples presented were “down to earth” and I could
easily identify with them. PHI was compromised, but was of no purposeful fault of the
practitioner involved. Henceforth, the importance of encrypting devices when using them
for patient care.
The issues of Infection Control was discussed briefly, she stated that studies have
found high bacterial contamination including MRSA on mobile devices (Cavoukian,
2013). I can definitely appreciated this information, but I feel including some reference
points as to which study would have been beneficial for practicing nurses for further
research follow-up.

3. Overall, I found the article extremely valuable. Cavoukian listed several
precautions to implement for the security of the mobile devices. All of the precautions
were useful and appear to be easy to implement. The article was easy to read and
comprehend. The information was thorough and straight to the point. I would absolutely
recommend this article to any healthcare provider looking to increase the security and
integrity of their organization.