Healthcare IT security specialist Imprivata announced the launch of Healthcare Seamless SSO enterprise single sign-on for shared clinical workstations and mobile devices.

WHY IT MATTERS

The end-to-end Identity and Access Management (IAM) cloud-based platform was designed specifically for the healthcare industry in collaboration with software giant Microsoft.

Healthcare Seamless SSO extends the Tap-In and Tap-Out capabilities of the company’s OneSign platform, which allows badge tap access into Office 365 and any application connected to Microsoft Azure Active Directory — including the catalog of cloud-based applications in Azure Marketplace.

The platform ends the need for clinicians and other users to repeatedly type usernames and passwords to access various programs/apps through shared worked stations, which could help save care providers up to 45 minutes per shift while driving EMR adoption.

HOW IT WORKS

Leveraging OneSign, Healthcare Seamless SSO can be used with all types of applications, eliminating the need for clinical and non-clinical Microsoft users to repeatedly type usernames and passwords to access any programs and applications.

For many healthcare organizations, the platform is already available and can be accessed by leveraging their existing tools and investments, though existing OneSign customers will need a G3 appliance running version 6.2 or later, and must have Azure AD.

WHAT COMES NEXT

This is just phase one of a long-term collaboration between the two companies: Microsoft is leveraging Imprivata’s single sign-on (badge tap) solution to support secure access to cloud applications, such as Microsoft Office 365.

The platform is also built to enhance workflows for electronic prescriptions for controlled substances (EPCS), a key functionality ahead of the new federal law slated to take effect on January 1st of 2020.

The Imprivata platform is also purpose-built to enhance additional workflows, including EPCS, offering a complete solution for complying with DEA requirements for EPCS while ensuring a seamless workflow for providers through authentication options.

ON THE RECORD

Chris Sakalosky, vice president of Microsoft’s US Health & Life Sciences division, said in a statement that integrating Imprivata’s tool with Microsoft’s Active Directory will help healthcare customers lower costs.

“The platform first brings the simplicity of tap-in and tap-out to the cloud, and supports access to Microsoft cloud applications like Office 365 and more for our healthcare customers,” added Gus Malezis, President and CEO of Imprivata.

Nathan Eddy is a healthcare and technology freelancer based in Berlin.

Email the writer: nathaneddy@gmail.com

Twitter: @dropdeaded209 

Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS Media publication.