Medical offices are fast-paced, dynamic environments that handle an array of different types of data and technologies. From life-saving devices to document management processes, healthcare providers and medical professionals need to be as well-versed in tech as they are in their careers. As such, their IT needs also represent some of the more unique challenges. However, medical IT support can ease these challenges by providing the right set of tools and guidance.
Managed IT services deliver a host of benefits to medical offices, as well as healthcare organizations. Therefore, medical offices should consider using a third-party IT support team to keep their infrastructure running, secure, and efficient.
How Managed IT Services Benefit Healthcare Organizations
Medical offices benefit from IT support and managed services in four significant ways. These include:
1. Keeping Data Secure
The modern medical office emphasizes superior care for its patients. To do so, it must maintain the highest level of security to protect Electronic Health Records (EHR), and Protected Health Information (PHI). A managed IT service can help with this in two main ways:
Access and Policy Controls
The term access control refers to controlling physical access to data. One instance is a locked door where only certain people have the key. Likewise, policy control refers to a set of rules by which information may be accessed. For instance, one example of this includes user accounts and specific documents, which are “approved” for printing. A managed IT provider can help an organization identify instances where either type of data control is missing and then establish the proper measures to improve security.
Backups
Healthcare organizations handle a tremendous amount of data. Therefore, they need a robust backup strategy to help prepare for things like disaster recovery, and security risks. Managed IT services can develop automated backup solutions to help medical offices keep their data secure in the event of an emergency.
2. Streamlining IT Infrastructure
Medical office IT support often focuses on optimizing IT infrastructure to support more efficient internal processes.
Develop a Strong, Flexible Communication Infrastructure
Healthcare organizations need intense infrastructure to manage the difficult nature of the industry. For instance, to gain a sense of exactly how large it is, consider that the healthcare sector in Nashville alone earned $47 billion in 2018—and much of it is digitally interconnected.
Likewise, the lightspeed pace of the healthcare industry requires the ability to communicate information quickly and accurately. Therefore, a managed IT provider can help a medical office build a robust communication infrastructure that reaches every part of the organization—and grows as the office changes.
Maximize Uptime
Managed IT services help minimize a network’s downtime, as well as maximize infrastructure effectiveness by making sure that everything continues to run and work correctly. Ways to ensure maximum uptime includes routine updates, preventative maintenance, adaptive strategies, and frequent assessments to spot weaknesses. In other words, partnering with a Managed IT Network provider means the network downtime is handled immediately, and systems are restored rapidly.
3. Maintaining Compliance and Confidentiality
The healthcare industry, unlike many other industries, is legally required to maintain certain levels of compliance and confidentiality in addition to managing security risks. An experienced managed IT service provider understands these requirements and can assist in ensuring compliance with the below:
Implement HIPAA Compliant Solutions
The Health Information Portability and Accountability Act is a law designed to provide privacy standards to protect patients’ medical records, as well as other health information provided to health plans, doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers.
However, many standard tools used—such as web-connected office document suites—are not always HIPAA compliant depending on the version or how they are used. Therefore, all systems that are used to transmit, receive, store, or alter electronically protected health information need to have HIPAA compliant solutions incorporated to ensure the appropriate security measures are being taken. In addition to that, HIPAA privacy rules apply to both written and visual information.
Risk assessment and IT management are key considerations for HIPPA compliance. Therefore, businesses should work with a knowledgeable managed IT service provider to ensure implemented solutions are compliant.
Monitor Solutions for Continued Compliance
Technology continues to evolve, and as it does, services or tools may become compliant or non-compliant at a moment’s notice, or even without notice. A typical example includes updates to cloud services which affect compliance even if these updates make the service more secure. However, a skilled managed IT service provider can help spot and prevent instances of this from occurring.
4. Minimizing Overhead Expenses
The healthcare industry is not exempt from the pressures to remain competitive. For instance, like other forms of managed services, medical office tech support reduces an organization’s operating expenses by streamlining the IT infrastructure and cutting unnecessary costs. This occurs through:
Known IT Services Budget
Working with some IT providers often means that the organization receives a flat rate bill every month, or an expected estimate through metered services. In addition, there are no hidden expenses, unexpected bills, or questions about how much maintenance or upgrades will cost. Although RJ Young does offer a flat monthly fee, not all providers do, therefore make sure to research before choosing a managed IT services provider.
More Efficient Use of Resources
Managed IT services help medical organizations use existing technology and resources more effectively. In other words, this allows offices to do more with less. When devices and infrastructure are utilized to their optimum, it becomes easier for employees to get high-quality work done quickly.
Choose RJ Young for Your Medical Office IT Support
Healthcare professionals need reliable, efficient solutions to provide the best possible care to their patients. IT support for medical offices provides that. However, when so much relies on the correct implementation of infrastructure tools, it’s worth it to choose a provider with demonstrated industry knowledge and technical expertise. Only experienced providers, such as RJ Young, exhibit the skills and qualities necessary to deliver exceptional managed IT solutions.
Ready to talk with RJ Young about your medical office IT network support needs? Contact RJ Young today to discuss the design of your medical office’s customized IT Services plan.