Introduction
A mere five years ago, telehealth was slowly making its presence known, used by less than 20% of healthcare facilities in the U.S.
However, during the coronavirus outbreak, that number skyrocketed by 154% within the first weeks of April. Saving patients an average of over 100 minutes of traveling and waiting time, telehealth has firmly earned its place in the modern healthcare landscape. What was once seen as a supplementary convenience has now become a critical pillar of patient care delivery across the country.
However, despite its newfound popularity, several concerns still pose a challenge to full integration, such as:
- Legal and regulatory issues
- Patient confidentiality for EHRs
- Payment tracking and security
- Staff adoption rates
- Loss of "human touch"
- Logistical and IT constraints
Nevertheless, results uncovered in Zebra's 2022 Hospital Vision Study cite telehealth as one of the top technologies changing hospitals nationwide, with over 70% of patients reporting feeling more comfortable about the use of clinical devices in healthcare facilities. These findings signal that patient readiness is no longer the barrier it once was — the real challenge now lies in building the right infrastructure.
With telehealth here to stay, healthcare organizations must take a strategic approach to technology adoption. From robust connectivity to enterprise-grade security, the components that make up an efficient telehealth system are varied and interconnected. Below, we've investigated the key elements to consider when preparing your healthcare technology to accommodate a new telehealth solution — and how the right IT partnerships can make all the difference.
Because telehealth is by no means a substitute for face-to-face treatments, the solutions that power it require dependable networking and connectivity signals to bridge the gap between distanced patients and caregivers. Without a stable, high-performance network backbone, even the most advanced telehealth platform risks delivering a subpar patient experience — or worse, a disrupted one during a critical consultation.
Devices used by healthcare professionals should be able to sustain connections while displaying supporting resources — EHRs, lab reports, test results, and more — at the same time. A dropped connection or lagging interface during a live video consultation erodes trust and can compromise clinical decision-making. This is why investing in resilient, healthcare-grade networking infrastructure is foundational to any telehealth strategy.
Moreover, as healthcare organizations expand telehealth beyond primary care into specialties like behavioral health, chronic disease management, and post-surgical follow-ups, the demands on connectivity will only grow. Ensuring that your network can handle simultaneous, bandwidth-intensive sessions across multiple departments is not just a technical consideration — it's a patient care imperative. Organizations that prioritize connectivity continuity position themselves to deliver seamless, reliable telehealth experiences that patients and providers can depend on.
Ensuring Trusted Security and Data Confidentiality
The year 2020 also saw a 10% increase in healthcare data breaches, resulting in an average $6.45 billion loss per breach. As telehealth platforms handle increasingly sensitive patient data — from video consultations to digital prescriptions and remote monitoring feeds — the attack surface for cybercriminals expands dramatically. Healthcare-grade durability must now extend well beyond the physical and into the digital landscape.
This means that outdated operating systems, applications, and software all pose a direct threat to efficient telehealth delivery. Legacy systems that lack modern security protocols become entry points for ransomware, phishing attacks, and unauthorized data access. Modernized data security in enterprise-ready operating systems, like Zebra's fortified Android, protects patient information with government-grade encryption, two-factor authentication, and customized security levels — providing the layered defense that today's healthcare landscape demands.
Beyond device-level security, organizations must adopt a holistic cybersecurity posture that encompasses endpoint management, network segmentation, and continuous monitoring. Every touchpoint in the telehealth workflow — from the patient's home device to the clinician's tablet — must be secured and compliant with HIPAA and other regulatory frameworks. By proactively addressing data confidentiality at every layer, healthcare providers can build the trust that is essential for widespread telehealth adoption among both staff and patients.
Quality healthcare will always be in demand. Therefore, your mobile devices should be flexible and scalable to serve more patients — whether they originate from the aging population, a sudden health crisis, or recurrent chronic issues. As telehealth volumes continue to climb, healthcare systems need technology that can grow alongside patient needs without requiring a complete infrastructure overhaul. This is where Zebra's Rugged L10 Tablets can provide immediate benefits, with their flexible networking options, Android OS-fortified protection, and streamlined computing, communication, and data capture capabilities — enabling staff to rely upon them anywhere in and out of the hospital.
Equally important is the element of ease of use. When doctors and nurses lack confidence in operating clinical devices, patients may feel discouraged to trust in your telehealth system. Devices should simplify file retrieval, data sharing, videoconferencing, and troubleshooting to help users feel confident in conducting healthcare without worrying about device performance. Intuitive interfaces and minimal learning curves are essential for driving staff adoption and, in turn, patient satisfaction.
Over 80% of Americans currently own a mobile device compatible with telehealth systems, further helping telehealth become accessible to more patients than ever before. By combining scalable, rugged hardware with user-friendly design, healthcare organizations can future-proof their telehealth operations while preserving the human touch that remains at the heart of quality care. To see how you can start equipping your staff with future-forward mobility solutions, the right technology partner can help you assess your current capabilities and chart a path toward scalable, secure telehealth delivery.
The Takeaway for IT Buyers
Telehealth has evolved from a niche offering into a cornerstone of modern healthcare delivery. With patient comfort levels rising, regulatory frameworks adapting, and technology advancing at pace, the opportunity for healthcare organizations to optimize their telehealth systems has never been greater. However, realizing that opportunity requires a deliberate, well-planned approach to the core components we've explored — connectivity, security, scalability, and ease of use.
Each of these elements works in concert to create a telehealth experience that patients trust and providers can depend on. A lapse in any single area — whether it's a dropped connection during a consultation, a data breach that compromises patient records, or a clunky interface that frustrates clinicians — can undermine the entire system. That's why a holistic strategy, supported by enterprise-grade technology and expert IT guidance, is essential for long-term telehealth success.
Derive Technologies is the value-add reseller that keeps IT products and services flowing to your organization in today's challenging conditions. With deep expertise in healthcare technology, networking, and comprehensive IT solutions, we are mobilized to help you build a telehealth infrastructure that is secure, scalable, and ready for the future. Contact Derive Technologies today for a free assessment of your current workflows and discover how we can help transform your telehealth capabilities.