Research Highlights Increased Need for Single Sign-On Technology in the Healthcare Industry

Research Highlights Increased Need for Single Sign-On Technology in the Healthcare Industry

Implementing single sign-on is a critical step in driving both electronic health record adoption and simplifying access to the applications required to improve patient care, according to a new healthcare IT study by HIMSS Analytics. Sponsored by Novell®, the study underscores the importance of a long term, comprehensive strategy around password management that addresses both healthcare and non-healthcare applications. The study concludes that single sign-on can be a valuable tool for healthcare organizations worldwide seeking to balance patient privacy with the need for access to patient health records.

“Our survey found that single sign-on is a balancing act between protecting patient health information and making it as easy as possible for authorized users to authenticate to the network,” said Jack Price, vice president, Services, HIMSS Analytics. “Compliance, reduced operating expense, and improved customer service and productivity are all key requirements when evaluating single sign-on solutions. Healthcare organizations should look to proven technology providers who can develop and support efficient, secure clinical workflows. This is critical to the success of CPOE, EMR and other key clinical and patient safety efforts.”

The report is based on a survey of more than 100 senior IT executives involved in the IT decision-making process by HIMSS Analytics in May 2006. The survey was designed to determine how important single sign-on technology is within an overall healthcare IT strategy, as well as identify key benefits, utilization rates, and selection criteria that are important in SSO acquisition.

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