Training activity information
Details
Plan and risk assess a new medical device connection to an IT network
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Networks, including local IT infrastructure and cloud-based systems,
- Benefit risk profile of networking
- Information governance
- Device safety
- Cybersecurity
- Availability and resilience
- Risk management
- Standards and legislation
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- What are the potential risks associated with connecting medical devices to IT networks (e.g., security, data integrity, network performance)?
- What are the key steps involved in planning and conducting a thorough risk assessment?
- What relevant standards and guidelines need to be considered?
- What do you hope to learn about the cybersecurity risks associated with medical devices?
- What insights do you expect to gain about risk assessment methodologies in this specific context?
- What prior knowledge do you have about IT networking, cybersecurity, or risk management in healthcare?
- What information do you need to gather about the medical device and the IT network it will be connected to?
- How will you identify potential threats and vulnerabilities?
- What risk assessment frameworks might be applicable?
- Who are the key stakeholders you need to consult (e.g., IT department, clinical staff)?
- What mitigation strategies can be implemented to address identified risks?
- What potential challenges might you face in planning and assessing these risks, and how will you prepare for them?
- How do you feel about addressing the intersection of medical devices and IT networks?
In action
- When planning the connection, what security considerations are you prioritising and why?
- As you conduct the risk assessment, what potential threats and vulnerabilities are you identifying? How are you evaluating their likelihood and impact?
- What immediate decisions are you making regarding security protocols or network configurations based on your risk assessment?
On action
- Summarise the process of planning the connection and the risk assessment you conducted.
- What were the key risks identified?
- What did you learn about planning and risk assessing medical device connections to IT networks?
- How did you apply risk management strategies in this context?
- Were there any unexpected risks identified?
- What did you learn from these?
- How did your understanding of the risks and mitigation strategies evolve as you planned and assessed (reflection-in-action)?
- How does this activity relate to applying risk management strategies to healthcare technology?
- What aspects of planning and risk assessment for network-connected devices do you need to develop further?
- How will you apply this learning in future network connection projects?
- What are your next steps in understanding the security and networking of medical devices?
- What resources (e.g., cybersecurity guidelines, network diagrams) would be helpful?
Beyond action
- Have you been involved in or aware of other medical device network connections and risk assessments since this DTA?
- How has your understanding of the cybersecurity risks and considerations associated with networked medical devices evolved?
- Have you compared your initial risk assessment with subsequent assessments or with industry best practices?
- How has this experience influenced your awareness of the importance of network security when dealing with medical devices?
- Have you applied the skills of risk identification, analysis, and mitigation planning in other situations involving technology or infrastructure?
- Has your understanding of the collaboration required between clinical engineering and IT departments changed?
- What skills related to risk assessment, cybersecurity awareness, and interdisciplinary collaboration did you develop that will be valuable in future roles involving connected medical devices or digital health initiatives?
- How has this experience shaped your understanding of the evolving landscape of medical device networking and the associated risks?
- What actions will you take to further develop your knowledge in the area of medical device cybersecurity and network integration?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 3 |
Outcome
Apply risk management strategies to the management of healthcare technology to ensure the safety of patients and healthcare professionals. |
| # 4 |
Outcome
Appraise and apply legislative frameworks for healthcare technology management. |
| # 5 |
Outcome
Practice in accordance with organisational policy for healthcare technology management. |