With strict requirements for data privacy and the need to offer patients a streamlined digital experience for everything from scheduling to accessing health information, healthcare organizations are under a lot of pressure. The problem is, without adequate in-house resources, managing all the various elements of healthcare IT is challenging, yet hiring more IT staff is an expensive option.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the strain has increased even further. In-house teams have to maintain an infrastructure that will allow for uninterrupted care while many private practitioners and other organizations face reduced budgets. With nonurgent visits and elective surgeries on the decline, healthcare has been hit hard by job losses and falling revenue.
To deal with these obstacles while maintaining a competitive practice, some healthcare providers are turning to managed service providers (MSPs). Here are five of the most critical ways healthcare IT services are helping today’s hospitals and doctor’s offices.
Less Worry Over Compliance
Maintaining compliance requires regular audits and a sophisticated approach to security risks. Instead of hiring an in-house compliance team and a cybersecurity expert, an MSP will handle all healthcare compliance needs.
Managed IT providers can encrypt data, create a cybersecurity framework that’s HIPAA compliant, and update practices and IT infrastructure to align with regulatory updates.
Enhanced Patient Care
According to a recent survey conducted by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, only 42 percent of chief financial officers at health organizations say they are fully prepared for successful customer engagement. The reality is, outdated technology makes it difficult to deliver the type of experience patients are looking for.
Today, patients expect secure online experiences, user-friendly digital portals, and real-time access to their information. A healthcare managed service provider can work with your organization to ensure your practice has the hardware and software necessary to improve engagement between employees and patients.
More Predictable IT Costs
Because so much of healthcare is now digital, it’s hard to keep IT costs under control. From maintaining servers to investing in new technology, there’s a lot to keep track of. Even more of a financial threat is downtime – if your systems go down because of a cyberattack, power outage, or any other event, costs can quickly explode.
According to the latest IBM Security data breach report, healthcare organizations have the highest costs associated with a breach – the average is $7.13 million. Working with a managed IT provider, you have an expert team working around the clock to protect against breaches and prevent downtime. You can also shift a lot of your in-house IT needs to your MSP, which will reduce overall expenses and make it easier to budget.
Scalable Infrastructure
In order to scale, your organization will need to have the right infrastructure in place, including enough storage space and adequate data security to safely protect increasing amounts of data.
An MSP can help you move your data and applications to the cloud. This takes the burden off of your IT team and removes the need for more physical space for servers. With a cloud-based infrastructure, it’s also easy and inexpensive to create additional user accounts for new staff.
More Efficient Processes
State-of-the-art technology and mobility can empower staff to complete their work more efficiently. Partnering with a managed IT provider gives you access to healthcare IT experts who can advise you on the best solutions for your operations. Employees can log in from anywhere securely because your MSP is managing encryption, device security, and threat monitoring.
Partner with a managed IT provider that understands the unique challenges the industry is facing today. With the right healthcare IT services, your organization can offer exceptional patient experiences, remain HIPAA compliant, and work more efficiently – all while keeping costs under control.
