Communication, organisation and confidentially are all critical factors in running a streamlined medical practice. Not only do all medical practitioners have to stay up-to-date with the latest industry updates, but all patients must continue to feel reassured, comfortable and confident in the decisions of their medical practice.
Over recent years, utilising specialist managed IT services has become increasingly popular, often helping to build the foundation of a successful medical practice.
What Managed IT Services Are Available?
Various types of managed IT services are available for those operating within the medical industry, from advanced researching tools to digital workspaces to practice management software. All of these can be customised with the aim of improving processes, meeting compliance requirements and most importantly, enhancing patient care.
IT management allows a personalised experience and will enable practices to either outsource their entire IT department, or alternatively, request extra help during specific projects. Outsourcing an IT department and handing over the responsibility to industry experts will guarantee support and a helping hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Project management services are ideal for implementing new technology, for example, cloud or phone solution. Expert project management can be enlisted for both big and small projects.
Another effective tool to help towards improving processes and patient care is REACH. REACH is a privately designed tool created by ONGC Systems which allows individuals to create a customised workspace. Ideal for securely storing confidential data, the modern workspace solution has quickly grown in popularity, particularly in highly regulated industries such as medical. Creating a customised workspace not only allows all data to be encrypted, but it is also a cost-effective option for mobile workforces always on the move, such as mobile doctors and carers. All medical practitioners with access to the cloud will be able to track down data within a few clicks.
How Can Managed IT Services Benefit Medical Practices?
The healthcare industry continues to evolve year on year, with every practice now putting a larger reliance on medical technology solutions. Through implementing the latest software and digital processes, it becomes somewhat simple to remain up-to-date with all industry updates. With the assistance of industry professionals, your entire infrastructure can be revamped to recreate customised IT systems, enabling your practice to thrive.
If your medical firm is yet to step into the world of managed IT solutions, we have compiled the main benefits you will receive from taking the step into the digital age.
Enhanced Patient Care
The welfare and health of patients is the most crucial aspect of any medical practice; it is the responsibility of those involved to guarantee care, treatment and support to those in need.
With the help of a tailored digital workspace that integrates with your practice management software, patient data can be accessed in just a few clicks. Having inefficient systems with poor integration and the possibility of system downtime, you run the risk of impacting the level of care you can provide.
Personalised IT services prove increasingly beneficial in also enhancing day-to-day patient care. Access to centralised resources can help with more accurate diagnosis’ during appointments, taking past care and health problems into consideration. Improved peer-to-peer communication channels also gives you the ability to obtain additional medical opinions, and decide whether the patient would benefit from further testing, or to conclude whether they are experiencing a growing health problem.
One of the most significant growing issues in the medical industry is the frustration of patients who have to wait weeks for an appointment. Using an online portal, patients are able to access, manage and monitor their health from the comfort of their home. Waiting times are decreased as patients can store digital updates which can then be tracked by their GP.
Increased Productivity
The ability for health care professionals to communicate and access data quickly and easily via a single workspace platform will begin to contribute towards a high increase in productivity. Particularly those who work in the reception and customer service department, will notice a vast drop in the number of calls and emails, meaning they can better utilise their time. An increase in productivity will create a more flexible environment to grow. The extra free time that staff will now have can be used to take on more responsibility and tasks that they may not have had the chance to experience with a heavier workload.
Managed IT Services providers not only equip you with technology to help improve daily productivity, but they can support with regular strategic technology reviews. Regular reviews ensure your practice improves business continuity by reducing risk. This ultimately allows you to focus more on the future and how to continue enhancing your workflows to gain maximum efficiencies and deliver better care to your patients.
Faster Results
The benefit of faster results relates to more than one aspect of a medical practice. Not only will there be faster results in terms of appointments, but also access to medical testing results.
Due to the ability of cloud technology, as soon as patient lab results are available, they can be accessed immediately by the GP or specialist. Therefore, patients will have decreased waiting times and receive results much quicker.
Fast lab results contribute towards more efficient and successful disease control. If spreading illnesses can be classified quickly, then symptoms, causes and antibiotics can be issued to the public. Preventative measures can be taken in advance, and there will be a guaranteed better outcome for patients.
Remain Compliant
It is imperative, in any industry, always to have a comprehensive understanding of all rules and regulations you have a responsibility to abide by. For the healthcare industry, regulations are put in place by both government and private organisations to protect and regulate public health. Regulators monitor all IT systems, practitioners and the facility itself to ensure that you not only comply but are also aware of any upcoming updates.
Opting to implement managed IT solutions means that medical practices will always remain up to date with any changes, updates and latest regulations. It will guarantee the security and confidentiality of patient’s personal information and medical records. Any new processes, software and updates can be completed by and outsourced to the IT solution provider; meaning nothing will be missed and the practice remains compliant. Many industry bodies also require that medical practices have a managed services agreement in place with clear SLA’s to ensure the smooth operation of a practice.
There are also some considerations around where your data is physically stored as many regulatory bodies and legislation require that all patient data must remain stored within the country of origin. Its important to understand where your data is physically stored, even when it’s in the cloud to make sure you’re compliant.
For more information on healthcare regulations, take a look at The Australian Government Department of Health and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
Improved Security
Improving overall practice security follows on perfectly from the advantage of meeting all industry rules and regulations. A data breach or loss of patient data can prove to have a detrimental effect on an practice. One of the primary aims of healthcare regulations is to guarantee the security of confidential information, which means that adequate security processes must be put in place.
When using managed IT services, it is recommended that all data is stored in the cloud, which is a digital database accessed only through the internet. With the right cloud provider in place, you can rest assured that your data is encrypted for additional safety and reassurance.
The ability to upload all data to a non-physical storage solution provides enhanced business continuity, which would not be possible with conventional on-premise servers. If, for example, there was a flood or fire within the medical practice, and you had to move to a temporary location, employees could continue to work as if nothing had happened. Using a cloud storage solution means all patient data can be accessed anywhere, anytime, even if you are forced to relocate.
Managed IT Solutions To Enhance Medical Practices
Managed IT services are capable of being individually tailored to meet the growing requirements of a specific medical practice. Not only does implementing advanced technology contribute towards improved productivity and patient care, but also provides peace of mind that all data is encrypted and secured. Time and tasks can be delegated to the relevant person quicker, to reduce waiting times and allocate appointments to those who need them the most.