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Hi everyone! Been lurking for awhile, more actively and with an actual account now after starting a new position with a healthcare provider group. Some of our physicians seem to be fairly unhappy with the Microsoft Surfacebook which was previously selected as the physician device, and we’re in the market for a new device.

We’re working with them and forming a committee that will help pick out a device, but I wanted to reach out here and see what other healthcare IT shops might be using for their physicians.

They access our EHR via Citrix published app sessions, and outside of that they’re minimally using Chrome for web browsing, and occasionally Dragon for dictation. Touch input with a pen/stylus is important for some physicians.

We’ve tried Chromebooks and they do not seem to hold a stable connection to Citrix and get disconnected a lot. I saw another post from 2013 that is basically the same question as this, and the recommendation was Dell or HP. But I’m curious if anyone could provide real on the job examples of manufacturers and models currently used in your environments.

EDIT: We also are only deploying Windows 10 Pro at this time.

Thanks in advance!

@HP @Dell_Technologies

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Could you maybe share what it is that they don’t like about the Surfacebook? Our providers use a mix of Dell Precision laptops and Surface Pro’s. The biggest complaint I get about the Surface platform is that the resolution is too high…great for viewing images but the icons and other things in the EHR are just too small for them. Adjusting resolution seems to mess up the way some of the boxes in our EHR display. Are they using them to document at Point of Care or are they using them to do work from home/office?

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We’ve had two complaints about the size and weight. Also have had issues with the keyboard stopping working until you reseat the tablet on the keyboard base. We need a device that is reliable and doesn’t have random issues like that. Extremely frustrates the physicians as they’re go go go all the time. I was looking at the HP Elite Folio G1 but unfamiliar with the M7 processors.

Display is not an issue. We thought about the Surface Pro and demo’d one with a provider. She liked the size and weight but doesn’t like the flimsy keyboard. I did recommend Brydge’s keyboard dock for a laptop type experience. But unsure of how sturdy that is since it’s still probably only a magnetic connection.

They’re using them at point of care. Most take them in the exam rooms with them, as well as work from home or office if they still have notes or whatever left to do.

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I don’t know much about the HP, we do have a travelling provider that uses a Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 and he swears by it. Our providers were always complaining about dragging a laptop into the exam rooms so I just installed wall mounted thin clients and monitors in the exam rooms so they could RDP to their own desktop and move more or less seamlessly from one room to another. Most only use their laptops for completing dictation/documentation from home.

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I’ve always been under the impression that 2 in 1s or tablets are the best bets for healthcare environments myself, but to each their own. Just wanted to let you know that TigerDirect carries both Dell and HP, which have really great products like the x360, and more. Linking to what we carry here: TigerDirect Sunset

Let me know if you’ve got any questions!

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What EHR do they use?

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Dell XPS looks nice! We’ve got about 40 physicians, 8 offices, and plenty of exam rooms. While a wall mounted thin client would be a nice alternative we’re stuck with them having their own devices. I’ll recommend the XPS. Looks like a really nice device! They use Greenway PrimeSuite

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Hello @SergentRooster, thank you for posting your inquiry in Spiceworks. Yes, I did notice that you are specifically requesting recommendations from IT Pros who actually have used the product in a healthcare environment. Behind the scene and in the Community, I have encountered positive comments from members using the HP EliteBook x2 and HP EliteBook x360 as well as other HP EliteBooks in the medical environment. Since reliability is a key requirement for your doctors, these members will probably reply later and confirm the reliability of the HP Elite Series of products.

While waiting, you may want to see this document prepared by HP, Healthcare Products, Services & Solutions, and you will also see the HP Elite Series products referenced. For others visiting the post, here is the link for details about HP EliteBook Folio that @SargentRooster references. See the image below for the popular HP EliteBook x360.

HP_Elite_x360.JPG
HP_Elite_x360.JPG800×645 72.2 KB

In response to your statement,

"…Also have had issues with the keyboard stopping working [referencing a non-HP computer] until you reseat the tablet on the keyboard base. We need a device that is reliable and doesn’t have random issues like that. Extremely frustrates the physicians as they’re go go go all the time.

I was looking at the HP Elite Folio G1 but unfamiliar with the M7 processors."

the consultant provides the following:

Intel® Core™ m Processors

From Wikipedia

“Intel Core M is a family of ultra low-voltage microprocessors belonging to the Intel Core series and designed specifically for ultra-thin notebooks, 2-in-1 detachables, and other mobile devices. The thermal design power (TDP) of all Core M microprocessors is 4.5 watts or lower. Intel Core M microprocessors are fanless due to their low TDP.”

There is an optional wireless docking station available, which is very much appreciated among doctors.

HP Advanced Wireless Docking Station
Compatibility: HP Elite x2 1011 G1; HP Elite x2 1012 G1 (Intel 18260 WLAN required)

@derekhuff3

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Awesome to hear, Derek! Let me know if you have any questions, or would like extra resources to help make the decision.

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In the facilities that I manage, I generally give them Chromebooks and haven’t had complaints about Citrix.

For the more heavy users I give Thinkpads. I find them less sleek then the XPS but a little more durable.

As with HP, they make make great servers and switches, but with laptops and desktops, I wouldn’t go near them.

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I would recommend the HP Elitebook x2 or x360 with the stylus.

I had my hands on the x2 for demo and really is a nice device. I was really happy with the stylus worked really well and I missed it for meetings after I sent it back.

I’ve heard the x360 performs just as well and with foldable style, it makes it very flexible for the on the go device.

The Elitebooks are all mil-spec tested so peace of mind and you get special customer support with them.

Hit me up if you have any questions.

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Fujitsu makes some killer Lifebooks that are actually made for the Medical field. They’re tougher than hell and last forever.

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Something to consider might be regardless of whether you go for a laptop, chromebook, and/or tablet device, you could install a HIPAA-ready device security system. Samsung Knox is our defense-grade mobile security platform that’s built into our devices and is HIPAA-ready by protecting the chipset to the application layer. Knox integrates seamlessly with your existing IT infrastructure and most MDM solutions. Since it’s HIPAA compliant, you can utilize Knox to help mitigate the risk of confidential, legally protected patient information being exposed to hacking on devices. To learn more about separating hospital apps, streamline device deployment for hospital staff, and the security solution in general, you can find that information here . If you have any other questions or things I could help you with let me know!

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