mVisum - FAQ

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Equipment and Hardware Requirements

Q:	Is the smartphone used by your system a special device that you sell? Do we have to buy it in order to use your system?
A:	No. mVisum does not sell hardware. We sell software applications that work with existing PC's and smartphones. Please review our "Hardware Requirements" section of this website for more detailed information.

Q:	Do we have to buy a special cell phone service from mVisum?
A:	No. You use your choice of cell phone carrier. The selected plan should include unlimited data and SMS messaging. Please review our "Hardware Requirements" section of this website for a full description of cell phone plan requirements.

Q:	What smartphone platforms does your application work with?
A:	mVisum currently works with the following smartphones: - iPhone - Blackberry - Android - Windows Mobile In addition, mVisum applications used within the hospital can also run on IP Phones and pagers.

Q:	Does your system work with Palm smartphone operating systems?
A:	Our application does not currently work on Palm operating systems.

Q:	What type of servers and other hardware will we need?
A:	Please see our "Hardware Requirements" document for details.

Security and HIPAA Compliance

We are concerned about sending patient data out of the facility. Why should we trust that your system is secure and HIPPA compliant?

mVisum uses multiple levels of security and authentication to ensure HIPAA compliance. The handheld requires unique username and password for each physician, which is then authenticated by the server against the IMEI number and phone number. Data transmission between the server and the handheld is carried out through a patented double encryption system, where the data is first scrambled, which is further delivered through a 128 bit encrypted pipeline, each step individually meeting or surpassing HIPPA requirements. The sending console to server communication is also similarly architected, thus providing strong security end-to-end. Click here to learn more about mVisum's security.

System Speed

Q:	Once a message or data is sent, how long does it take until the recipient is can view the information?
A:	Even with minimal cell phone reception, it typically it takes less than one minute for a sent message to reach the recipients smartphone.

Q:	How long does it take to download an image file?
A:	An image file can take from 2 seconds to 30 seconds to download depending on the image type (i.e. single image X-Rays take less time than a 160 slice CT scan). Part of mVisum's patent pending technology is wrapped around the delivery and receipt of large image files. This technology eliminates much of the time lag traditionally experienced when trying to download large files.

Q:	Medical image files can be quite large. How is it possible that the mVisum system can send and receive multi-slice CT scans, MRI's and ultrasound movies without lengthy download times?
A:	Part of mVisum's patent pending technology is wrapped around the delivery and receipt of large image files. This technology eliminates much of the time lag often experienced when trying to download large files. Essentially this process interacts with the server to reduce the traditional memory intensive requirements of such a download.

Image and Data Quality

Is the mVisum message an "email"?

Why do I need this System?

Q:	I can get an EKG or a medical image sent to my email address now. Why would I need this system?
A:	emails sent outside of the facility are not HIPAA compliant, the mVisum system is. Furthermore, the mVisum application provides far more utility than a standard email or email attachment. The mVisum system is a complete and traceable communication system that permits review and response to complex medical data. With the system, EKG's can be reviewed and measured; medical images (including multi-slice CT scans, MRI's, Ultrasound movies) can be opened, played and manipulated to examine minute details. Receipt of mVisum messages is rapid as is the process of replying to the sender. In short, mVisum permits secure, rapid, and traceable communication. Finally, because the information is delivered to the smartphone, you don't need to be in front of a computer or need to have access to your email account. The information is delivered to the mVisum application that resides on your phone.

Q:	In our facility our physicians have the ability to pull up patient data directly on a PDA or Tablet PC. Why would they need this system?
A:	The mVisum system is not designed to "pull" data from an archival system or Electronic Medical Records database. It is also not intended to replace any of these systems within the hospital. The mVisum system is used to transmit critical, emergent data directly to a physician's smartphone regardless of his/her location. Tablet PC's and PDA's connected to a facility EMR system are not used outside of the facility and even if web access is available for physicians to use at home, these systems are not useful for emergent situations.

Q:	I've been told that the GE MUSE system can send data to my personal computer or cell phone. Why would I need the mVisum system if I have the MUSE?
A:	The GE MUSE system has optional software that allows data to be sent via email. However, email sent outside of a facility is not HIPAA compliant. Additionally, the data sent is in the form of a pdf which makes detailed analysis of the information difficult. mVisum sends data in a secure, HIPAA compliant manner and provides that data in formats that permit measurements or other detailed review.