Health IT

Microsoft touts familiarity, security in pitching Windows 10 to healthcare

Given the nature of enterprise IT, it may be a while before hospitals and health systems upgrade their computers to Windows 10 — and let's face it, Google's Android and Apple's iOS dominate mobile devices. Still, Windows remains king of business computing, and the Redmond Empire certainly has its eyes on the vast healthcare market.

Today is the long-awaited release of the ninth version of Microsoft Windows, called Windows 10 because, well, you come up with a better name. It will be the last numbered version of the ubiquitous operating system, the tech giant has said, because Windows will become a subscription service going forward as the computing world continues its rapid march from the desktop to the cloud.

Given the nature of enterprise IT, it may be a while before hospitals and health systems upgrade their computers to Windows 10 — and let’s face it, Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS dominate mobile devices. Still, Windows remains king of business computing, and the Redmond Empire certainly has its eyes on the vast healthcare market.

“With Windows 10, we aim to meet and exceed the needs of health professionals so that they can work more efficiently, improve care and extend the reach of clinical services beyond hospital walls. We listened to your feedback about Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 and we are confident that Windows 10 will help drive mobile health forward,” Neil Jordan, Microsoft’s worldwide general manager for the health sector, wrote on the company’s blog.

After taking so much heat for removing the popular Start button in Windows 8, Microsoft brought it back in an interim release called Windows 8.1. The Start button appears to be here to stay, as familiarity seems to be a selling point of Windows 10, as does the ability to provide continuity across devices.

“With the familiar Start Menu, Task Bar and Desktop and innovative features like Continuum, which optimizes your apps across touch and desktop modes, care teams will be able to fluidly interact with personal and professional devices, access critical EHR/EMR systems and connect with each other wherever they may be – from intensive care units to home health visits or social care offices,” according to Jordan.

Obviously, security is on the minds of a lot of CIOs and their higher-ups in healthcare organizations these days, thanks to recent malicious hacks at UCLA Health and health insurers Anthem, CareFirst and Premera Blue Cross — the latter in Microsoft’s home state of Washington. Microsoft calls this release the “most secure” version of Windows to date. Time will tell.

Microsoft also wants to be part of the shift of healthcare away from traditional hospital and clinic settings.

“Integration with existing systems and software, including more secure voice, chat, text and video, enables health professionals to connect with patients when and where it’s most convenient. By connecting new devices and platforms, like Microsoft Band and Microsoft Health, long-term care and chronic disease management can be extended to the home, and patients can proactively manage their health and wellness,” Jordan said.

Photo: Microsoft

 

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