How often do you drop your iPhone?

There used to be a time when I never used a cover for my smartphone. Then, I decided that I would keep my phone protected so that when I sold it on eBay, I would get the best value for my used phone. Now, I always use a case and a screen protector so that I can sell my used devices in excellent condition. This makes the buyer happy and I'm able to stretch my dollar and use that towards a phone upgrade.

Recently, I had the chance to test the OtterBox Defender Series iPhone 5 case for my iPhone 5. This is not your average iPhone case. This is probably the most protective case I have ever used for my phone. It certainly does not compare to any case you'll pick up at a shopping mall kiosk or on eBay for $5.

Here's how OtterBox describes the Defender Series:

The Defender Series was designed for demanding conditions, heavy use and random accidents. Three layers of defense include a plastic shell to cushion the iPhone 5 while a built-in screen protector prevents scratches and smudges. The rubber outer slipcover wraps around the inner shell, creating a practically indestructible iPhone 5 case. A holster is included and doubles as a viewing stand.

The case adds a fair bit of bulk to the phone, but you also know that your phone is protected. Really protected

The built-in screen protector is a really nice feature and you'll also appreciate the fact that you can easily wipe and disinfect the entire case quickly and easily. The case isn't waterproof, but it has flaps protecting the main ports.

If you have a tendency to drop your phone onto hard surfaces, you will probably want to invest in some type of protective case so that your device doesn't fail at a critical moment.

OtterBox rugged iPhone and iPad cases here at the HIMSS conference

Here at HIMSS, you'll find a variety of rugged cases for smartphones and mobile tablets on the exhibit floor. Since these mobile devices are being used so much in the health care setting, it's important to protect them from damage and to have an easy way to sanitize these devices.

OtterBox makes a wide selection of fairly robust cases for the iPhone, the iPad, and most other smartphones and tablets. As I walked through the exhibit hall at the HIMSS conference, I had a chance to play around with some of the newest OtterBox rugged cases including:

• Armor series
• Defender series
• Commuter series

Are you looking for a rugged case for your mobile device? In addition to OtterBox, take a look at the rugged cases made by Griffin, LifeProof, Body Glove, and others.

HIMSS13 coverage is sponsored by HP. HP’s extensive portfolio of products, solutions, services and relationships can help your healthcare organization achieve quality business practices and provide quality patient care.

Rugged smartphone cases here at #HIMSS10

Smartphones and other mobile gadgets often get dropped in the hospital setting. This is why mobile health computers are often made with Gorilla Glass and they are built to be rugged. If your device can withstand a fall from a table, then it's probably fairly rugged.

Since enterprise smartphones are often not built to be rugged, the next best option is to enclose your smartphone in a rugged case. I saw several vendors who sell ruggedized smartphone cases while I roamed the exhibit halls here at HIMSS10. Unfortunately, most of these cases won't protect your screen from cracking if it encounters direct impact, so make sure you get a smartphone that is built with Corning Gorilla Glass.

Thanks again to HP for sponsoring me as a HIMSS blogger.

Growing need for rugged smartphones in the health care industry

Many of us who use smartphones have probably dropped our device. Have you ever experienced a cracked screen? How about a dead device? A brick? Whether you use a case or a screen protector, your smartphone can suffer tremendous damage if it gets dropped. Even if your device has Corning Gorilla Glass, the "insides" could still get damaged.

When will we see more rugged smartphones being used in the health care industry?  Maybe it will be the day when Apple releases a rugged version of its iPhone. I believe there's a true need for health care professionals and students to switch to rugged devices because you can't afford to lose access to your critical data that's stored on a smartphone. For many of us, the smartphone is our peripheral brain. Life without a smartphone could mean utter chaos.

I'm sure we'll see more rugged smartphones designed specifically for the health care sector. Maybe they will have some of the features commonly found on Mobile Clinical Assistants (MCAs) and include a radio frequency identification (RFID) scanner along with a bar-code scanner.