5. Only download apps and open files from trusted sources. Although the Apple store is an obvious safe choice, Thielst said there's nothing stopping users from visiting various sites and downloading apps as well. However, she said, "I heard recently Continua is starting to certify medical apps…they certified their first one, so if that materializes and you have this body that's certifying medical apps, I think that's good." She said she approaches any type of download with caution, to minimize the risk, "rather than expecting someone else to handle it for me," she said. "I think it goes back to your approach as a regular consumer. I could probably feel fairly comfortable I'm not going to have a problem with it, but if I start having a lot of health information on my tablet, and I'm a doctor, that's where the risk increases."

6. Look for apps that take advantage of the iPad's native capability. When using the iPad for business purposes, said Jordan Stopler, CEO at publishing platform StoryDesk, look beyond its typical functions. "The iPad has a sophisticated microprocessor, location-based tracking, a keyboard, two cameras, a touch screen, and more," he said. "These capabilities can be used to perform tasks for [the organization] that create real ROI. But it's going to take some work and experimentation to identify opportunities beyond today's convention of slide shows and email." 

[See also: iPad EHR gets certified...what next?.]

7. Consider GPS tracking technologies or apps to help locate a lost or stolen iPad. Thielst predicted GPS tracking apps and technologies will be popular in the upcoming months. "My guess is it's fairly early in the process, but pretty soon, we should start hearing about some sort of app like that," she said. "And it'll have everything we want and is from a trusted source." In the meantime, the "Find My iPhone option," made available by logging into iCloud.com with your Apple ID and password, allows users to pinpoint the exact location of their iPad or iPhone, message the device, and remotely lock or wipe it. 

8. Consider a mobile device management (MDM) solution for security and convenience. "Services like Apperian, AirWatch, and MobileIron can create hosted, internal app stores," said Stopler. "This lets a company make available a curated offering specific to business needs." And, he added, it ensures security and system integrity can't be compromised if an iPad is lost or stolen. "With these services, the apps can be shut down remotely and the contents of the iPad (related to work) deleted." 

9. Ensure any apps downloaded are optimized for an iPad. And that includes making sure the layout and settings are adjusted for the actual screen size, said Thielst, to reduce frustration and the risk of missing important information. "If you're a physician or a nurse and you can't see an icon because it's set up for a desktop computer or smartphone, you could be missing something important," she said. "So just making sure that whatever apps you're using, they're developed with the iPad or tablet in mind."  

10. Carry adapters for iPad to VGA and HDMI. Once again, when it comes to business use, Stopler suggests carrying these adapters. "The intimacy of the iPad works in one-on-one presentations, but for larger audiences, it's best to connect to a projector or monitor," he said. "Buy several of them and hand them out liberally to your team." 

Follow Michelle McNickle on Twitter, @Michelle_writes