5 Ways Proactive IT Makes A Difference For Healthcare Organizations

Whether you are a healthcare professional or manage the IT infrastructure for one, you likely understand the value of technology.

You know that technology is a vital component to keeping data safe and keeping it moving.

As a managed IT support services provider, Kelser understands these things, too. For more than 40 years we have been helping organizations of all types use technology to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.

In this article, we’ll explore 5 ways we’ve seen proactive IT solutions make a world of difference in the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare organizations. In other words, we’ll let you in on our real-world experience!

And before you get worried that this is just another marketing gimmick to get you to work with us, let me reassure you that the most important thing to us is to provide informative articles that help business leaders in a variety of industries evaluate and capitalize on the IT solutions that are best for their organizations.

So, no; we won’t try to convince you to work with us. While we are confident in our robust managed IT solution, we know that might not be the right approach for your organization.

In this article, you’ll find no sales pitch. What you will find is honest, easy-to-understand information that will help you make technology decisions that make sense for your organization.

It may be a unique approach, but we know IT decisions are among the most important ones you make. We want to be your source for the unbiased information you need to make educated choices.

What Is Proactive IT?

When it comes to IT support, there are two broad categories: traditional (break/fix) or proactive (managed).

Break/fix support, as the name implies, is what most people think of as traditional, reactive IT support. When something breaks (whether it’s infrastructure-related or a device issue) you call someone to come fix the issue.

Related Article: What Is A Break/Fix IT Provider? The Pros & Cons

Proactive support is when your IT provider constantly monitors your infrastructure and devices looking for and addressing emerging problems before they ever become evident to your users. Managed IT support is an example of a proactive approach to technology.

Related Article: Managed IT Support: The Pros & Cons

5 Advantages Of Proactive IT Support For Healthcare Organizations

The biggest advantages of proactive IT support for healthcare organizations include improved patient care, operational efficiencies, and sophisticated data security solutions.

So, what does that look like?

1. Enhanced Data Security

With proactive, real-time monitoring, maintenance and upgrades, potential issues are mitigated before they become a problem for users. This means less downtime and fewer recurring issues, giving your internal users and patients secure access to information.

Electronic health records (EHRs), virtual/telehealth visits, remote health monitoring tools (i.e. wearable devices), apps that those that monitor heart rate or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, electronic bill payment, and patient portals, all require seamless and secure access.

Proactive IT tools like employee security training give your practice the  ability to prevent, detect, and mitigate cyber threats, keeping your data and infrastructure safe.

2. Enriched Patient Care Experience

Proactive IT means technology is incorporated in your practice’s strategic planning.

In other words, when your organization opens new facilities or adds staff, your IT provider is part of the planning process. This ensures that your infrastructure is ready for the increased data traffic, allowing seamless integration of new sites, employees, and devices.

When your infrastructure is right-sized for your patient load, access to information is quick and easy, improving ease of communication and collaboration among healthcare providers and enriching the overall experience of your patients.

Proactive IT also allows patients convenient access to their personal health information, scheduling, and other tools (including online general educational materials for chronic health issues) that help them become active participants in their healthcare experience.

As mentioned above, remote health monitoring devices and apps promote preventive care and daily monitoring for patients who need it, improving outcomes and enhancing the overall patient experience.

3. Seamless Data Management

Whether you use Epic, eClinicalWorks or another electronic health records (EHR) system, proactive IT means that your data is accessible and secure. You can access what you need quickly and with minimal glitches.

For example, when the provider closes out of the chart, the pertinent information is immediately available for the scheduler to access, print a visit summary for the patient, and schedule the follow up appointment.

Proactive IT makes it possible to easily share documents between exam rooms and front desk schedulers and even between satellite locations and the main office.

4. Operational Efficiencies

Proactive IT solutions help healthcare organizations streamline operations and reduce costs. By implementing innovative technologies and automation, healthcare providers can optimize workflows and save both time and money.

For example, by using data analytics to predict peak demand, office managers can optimize staffing and inventory supplies to reflect surges and lulls in activity, resulting in streamlined supply chain management.

5. Compliance with Regulatory Requirements

The ever-changing regulatory requirements are another area in which proactive IT strategies are essential.

Here are just a few:

• • • the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) protects sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge,

• • • the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) ensures data privacy and consent management,

• • • and the Food and Drug Administration’s regulations govern the  development and deployment of medical devices and software.

Whether it’s these or other pertinent regulations, staying ahead of compliance issues helps healthcare providers avoid penalties, protect patient privacy, and maintain the trust of patients and other important stakeholders.

Wondering what that looks like?

For starters, it involves regular security audits and risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities in your infrastructure and organization. A combination of proactive vulnerability scans and penetration tests keep your organization ahead of emerging threats.

It means encryption tools that keep sensitive data safe in transit and at rest, and limiting access to data and devices to authorized people. And it means updates and maintenance to systems.

What’s The Bottom Line?  

In this article, we’ve defined reactive and proactive IT support solutions. We’ve explored five benefits of proactive IT for healthcare organizations. At this point, you may be wondering whether proactive IT is a good solution for your organization.

Whether you have an internal staff that can manage your needs for proactive IT or you need to explore external IT providers, make sure you get the IT support you need. If you aren’t sure which IT support option is right for you, learn your options for IT support. 

Wondering it your organization needs external IT support? Find out the top signs that it’s time to explore external options.

If you decide to evaluate external IT providers, make sure to explore several options so that you get a provider that is a good fit for you. Here are the 10 best questions to ask any IT provider.

The bottom line is that with the right IT solution, your healthcare organization will have the tools it needs to embrace the digital future, protect data, and operate efficiently (with minimal disruption and downtime).

Proactive IT makes it possible to anticipate, plan, and budget for future technology needs in a methodical, predictable way. The goal is to have the infrastructure to support what’s next for your organization, minimize unpredictable service costs, maximize efficiency, and avoid surprises.

Depending on the size and age of their practice, some healthcare providers we work with want to explore their options for cloud computing. If you are considering this option, learn the pros and cons of in-house vs. cloud-based servers.

Other healthcare clients are concerned about cybersecurity. If you are wondering if your infrastructure is ready for the latest cyber threats, click the button below for a free checklist you can use to assess your cyber readiness.

Prefer to talk with a human? Click the button below and we’ll reach out to schedule a 15-minute telephone conversation to learn more about your business and your technology pain points.