Mobile devices, like iPhones and iPads, are now critical care tools. But as hospitals expand their mobile device fleets, a question that often falls through the cracks is: does the case protecting those devices meet hospital safety and compliance requirements?
There are different regulatory frameworks in place that cover infection control protocols and material certifications. It might add more work to the purchasing process, but healthcare organizations should evaluate device cases against them to ensure they’re investing in materials and cases that will meet hospital standards to prevent repurchases or costly errors. Let’s explore what device case compliance looks like.
Why Compliance Matters for Device Cases
Did you know that mobile devices, and their cases, operating in healthcare environments are supposed to comply with standards from the Joint Commission’s accreditation requirements, CDC infection control guidelines, and OSHA workplace safety standards?
The importance of clinical settings makes compliance for devices more complicated, but still manageable.
Infection Control and Disinfection Compatibility
Infection control is the single most critical compliance consideration for any item that enters a patient care area. This is especially true for mobile devices which face contamination concerns in healthcare settings.
One study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection found that 99.2% of hospital staff smartphones were contaminated with potential pathogens, with bacterial colony counts significantly higher than phones used outside hospital settings!
What to Check
1. Chemical compatibility with hospital-grade disinfectants. Can the case withstand repeated cleaning with bleach-based cleaners, alcohol solutions, hydrogen peroxide compounds, and quaternary ammonium compounds? Products like PDI, Clorox, and CaviWipes are standard in most facilities. Consumer cases made with silicone, leather, or soft-touch coatings often degrade, discolor, or become sticky when exposed to these harsh chemicals.
2. Surface design for cleanability. Does the case have smooth, sealed surfaces without crevices, grooves, or textured patterns where bacteria can harbor? The CDC’s Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities classifies non-critical surfaces (like mobile device housings) as items requiring low-level disinfection. The case design must facilitate this cleaning process.
3. Material certifications. Is the case made from medical-grade or healthcare-rated polycarbonate or similar materials? Consumer-grade TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) and silicone cases lack the chemical resistance needed for sustained exposure to hospital disinfectants.
How Beam meets this standard: Beam cases are manufactured from disinfectant-ready polycarbonate that resists the corrosive effects of PDI, Clorox, CaviWipes, and other bleach, alcohol, peroxide, and ammonia-based solutions. The smooth, sealed design facilitates thorough cleaning without trapping contaminants in crevices or textured surfaces.
Physical Protection and Durability Standards
When a clinical device fails during patient care, it creates gaps in documentation, medication verification, and communication. The Joint Commission’s Physical Environment standards require hospitals to manage equipment risks and maintain equipment in a condition that supports safe, effective care.
What to Check
4. Drop protection rating and test methodology. Does the case cite a specific military standard? Does the manufacturer disclose their actual test methodology, including drop height, surface type, and whether testing was conducted by an independent lab?
5. Ingress protection (IP) rating. An IP54 rating means the device is protected against dust ingress sufficient to interfere with operation, and against water splashed from any direction. This matters in healthcare because devices are regularly exposed to liquid splashes from cleaning, spills, and procedural environments.
6. Screen protection integration. Does the case include or integrate with a screen protector? Cracked screens present both a safety hazard (sharp edges) and an infection control concern (bacteria trapped in cracks). A screen protector should maintain full touch sensitivity for clinical workflows.
How Beam meets this standard: Beam cases are designed with MIL-SPEC drop protection and IP54 ratings for dust and liquid resistance. Each case includes an integrated screen protector that maintains touch sensitivity for EHR navigation and barcode scanning. The polycarbonate construction has been proven durable in real-world hospital environments, including reported survival of drops from elevator shafts to atriums.
Power Management and Operational Continuity
When nurses and clinicians rely on mobile devices for medication scanning, EHR documentation, and communication, a device that dies mid-shift creates gaps that must be backfilled manually.
What to Check
7. Battery backup capability. Does the case include supplemental battery power to extend device life through 12-hour shifts? Consumer power banks and charging cables at the nurse’s station create tripping hazards and interrupt mobility.
8. Battery lifecycle management. Can the battery be replaced independently without discarding the entire case? Swappable batteries are both cost-effective and environmentally responsible, and they ensure consistent power performance over the device’s lifespan.
9. Fleet charging infrastructure. For hospitals deploying dozens or hundreds of devices, how are cases and batteries charged? Multi-bay charging solutions (5-bay, 10-bay) allow centralized battery management and reduce the need for individual charging setups at each nurse’s station.
How Beam meets this standard: Beam’s magnetically retained, swappable battery system is designed for seamless mid-shift swaps. Batteries last between 500 and 1,000 charge cycles (approximately 2–3 years) and can be charged in under 3 hours using Beam’s 10-bay battery charger (GM-687) or 5-bay sled charger (GM-688), both featuring LED status indicators. The open installation design accommodates natural lithium-ion battery expansion over time.
Workflow Compatibility and Ergonomics
Healthcare workers carry devices for entire shifts, scan barcodes hundreds of times per day, and navigate EHR interfaces under time pressure, device cases have to be able to support all workflow activities.
What to Check
10. Barcode scanning compatibility. Does the case allow unobstructed camera access for barcode scanning workflows in Epic, Cerner, and other EHR systems? Medication administration, specimen collection, and patient identification all depend on reliable barcode scanning.
11. Weight and ergonomics. Does the case add significant bulk or weight? Can it fit in a scrub pocket? Consider whether holster or strap accessories are available for alternative carrying options.
12. Port access and connectivity. Does the case provide access to charging ports while maintaining its sealed, protective design? Can the device be charged while in the case without removing it?
How Beam meets this standard: Beam cases are engineered specifically for healthcare workflows, with unobstructed camera access for barcode scanning, full touch sensitivity through the integrated screen protector, and a form factor designed for all-day carry. The case supports charging and syncing through a sealable port, and optional plastic holsters (GM-570) are available for hands-free carrying.
Vendor Support and Warranty
Healthcare organizations need a vendor relationship that can support fleet deployments, troubleshoot issues quickly, and adapt to changing clinical requirements.
What to Check
13. Healthcare-specific support. Can you reach a human when issues arise? Consumer brands route support through generic call centers and chatbots. Healthcare deployments require knowledgeable support that understands clinical environments, MDM integration, and fleet management.
14. Warranty terms. What’s covered, for how long, and what’s the replacement process? Are extended warranty options available for organizations that want longer coverage periods?
15. Evaluation program. Does the vendor offer an evaluation or trial program so you can test the cases in your actual clinical environment before committing to a fleet purchase?
How Beam meets this standard: Beam Mobile provides dedicated healthcare support with direct access to a human team. All cases include a one-year warranty with extended warranty options available. Beam offers evaluation units so hospitals can test the cases in their specific clinical environment before making a fleet commitment.
Compliance Checklist
Selecting a mobile device case for hospital use is a compliance decision that touches infection control, patient safety, operational continuity, and equipment management. The cheapest option from a retail shelf may protect the screen from a casual drop, but it won’t survive repeated disinfection with hospital-grade chemicals, won’t keep devices powered through 12-hour shifts, and won’t come with the healthcare-specific support your IT team needs when issues arise.
Beam Mobile cases are always healthcare compliant because they were designed from the ground up for one environment: healthcare.
Request a complimentary evaluation for your hospital today.