Putting Patients First: Healthcare Use Cases for the Zebra ZEC500 + Zebra HC50

Modern hospitals need clinicians to spend as much time as possible with patients, not fighting devices, reconnecting to workstations, or tracking down information. Pairing Zebra’s ZEC500 wireless enterprise computer with the Zebra HC50 healthcare handheld creates a tightly integrated solution that boosts clinical mobility, preserves clinical focus, and makes desktop and mobile workflows feel like one seamless system.

Below are practical healthcare use cases showing how this pairing can transform patient-centered care.

Why this combo matters

The ZEC500 is designed to convert any display into a secure, managed workstation powered by Android. With Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, and Near Field Communication (NFC), it supports fixed and mobile deployments while remaining compact and easy to manage through Zebra’s DNA software suite.

The HC50 handheld, purpose-built for healthcare, offers disinfectant-ready housing, hot-swappable batteries, and superior wireless connectivity. It replaces multiple single-purpose devices such as phones, scanners, and pagers, with one unified tool, helping clinicians focus on care, not equipment.

The ZEC500 and HC50 enable connected, patient-centered care where clinicians can move seamlessly between handheld and desktop environments.

Core benefits for clinicians

• More time with patients: Quick, reliable access to records and medications at the bedside means less time walking between rooms or re-logging into terminals.
• True workflow mobility: The HC50 handles mobile charting and scanning, while the ZEC500 transforms nearby monitors into secure workstations with the same session context.
• Simplified sanitation: The HC50’s healthcare-grade materials withstand frequent disinfection, helping reduce infection risk.
• Unified device management: Zebra DNA tools allow IT to manage handhelds and workstations from a single console.

Healthcare Use Cases

1. Bedside medication administration (BCMA)

Clinicians scan patient wristbands and medication barcodes on the Zebra HC50, verify dosage, and, when needed, display the chart on a ZEC500-connected screen. The larger view helps verify details while keeping the clinician at the bedside, minimizing interruptions and improving accuracy.

2. Vitals capture and charting

Nursing staff document vitals directly into the EPIC EHR using the HC50. When additional data review is needed, they can instantly connect to a ZEC500-powered workstation nearby to visualize trends or update notes without re-login delays.

3. Imaging review and collaboration

Radiology snapshots or ultrasound clips captured or accessed on the HC50 can be “cast” to a ZEC500-connected display for team consults. This reduces movement between rooms and fosters quicker, better-informed decisions.

4. Rapid response coordination

During emergency or code events, HC50 devices provide real-time alerts and patient data, while ZEC500-connected monitors display live documentation and medication tracking—giving teams centralized visibility when seconds matter.

5. Telehealth and virtual consults

Clinicians can initiate secure video consults on the HC50 and transition seamlessly to a ZEC500-connected display for a more collaborative, full-screen experience—ideal for remote specialists or family communications.

6. Supply chain and sterile processing

From scanning instruments to managing replenishment, the HC50 enables mobile updates, while ZEC500 displays at supply stations show inventory dashboards and alerts. The result: faster replenishment and better accountability.

Implementation insights

• Plan for session continuity: Design workflows so clinicians can pick up where they left off—mobile to workstation—without extra authentication.
• Optimize your network: Wi-Fi 6/6E and PoE++ support ensure consistent connectivity across patient areas.
• Simplify hygiene and charging: Establish shared cleaning and power protocols to maintain uptime.
• Train by workflow, not device: Teaching through real-world scenarios accelerates adoption and confidence.

Security and manageability

The HC50 and ZEC500 integrate with Zebra’s enterprise management tools for centralized updates, device monitoring, and security policy enforcement to keep IT oversight simple while reducing disruptions to care delivery.

Putting patients first

The Zebra ZEC500 and HC50 combination represents a significant step forward in connected care environments. Together, they simplify device ecosystems, strengthen clinical mobility, and, most importantly, give caregivers more time to focus on their patients.

Take the Next Step Toward Smarter Clinical Mobility

Ready to eliminate workflow friction and modernize your clinical mobility strategy? Discover how the powerful Zebra cradle and HC50 duo, now backed by the EPIC EHR integration, and SMG3Rx can elevate your clinical workflows.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation or learn how we can tailor a mobile strategy to meet the needs of your healthcare facility.