The incredible strain of the pandemic on healthcare systems has in some ways been obvious. Problems like staff shortages, difficulties scheduling elective surgeries, and budget shortfalls are issues that are highly visible to the general public.
But not every consequence of the pandemic is so apparent to external observers. Inside many healthcare organizations, these larger pressures are affecting internal services, as well. Take IT, for example–those budgetary cutbacks and staff shortages mean that some hospitals are struggling to keep up with much-needed technology services. That may even be part of the reason they’ve proven so vulnerable to ransomware attacks during the last two years. In-house IT departments are simply too understaffed and overworked to keep up with new security threats.
For many, an IT managed services partner helps meet the challenge.
What Is IT Managed Services for Healthcare?
An IT managed services provider is a third-party partner who can help healthcare systems more smoothly function and better serve patients with proactive attention to their technology needs. Whether your hospital or medical practice needs additional tech support, security monitoring, cloud managed services, disaster recovery support, or big picture technological strategy, an IT managed services provider can help.
Better technology provides a better patient experience, from addressing behind-the-scenes issues that keep patient information secure and your practice compliant to the elements that every patient sees and feels, like easier communication channels, more scheduling options, more efficient checkout processes. When your technology supports your mission, efficiency skyrockets. Teams and patients are a lot happier, too.
How Do IT Managed Services Save Money for Healthcare Systems?
At first glance, you might assume that any partner offering all those services is going to be pretty expensive. In practice, though, IT managed services are a great way for healthcare systems to save money.
That’s because you don’t pay by the project—you pay a predictable rate for the ongoing partnership. No matter what you need in the moment, you’ll have access to a team of experts ready to rise to any occasion.
Your IT department also benefits. Rather than play whack-a-mole with minor problems, they can focus on core functions that will ensure your hospital’s primary technology goals are achieved. For healthcare systems operating on tighter margins, IT managed services are one of the most effective ways to increase capabilities without exceeding your budget.
How Do IT Managed Services Help Protect Healthcare Systems from Cyberattacks?
Cyberattacks of all stripes, and especially ransomware, take advantage of the fact that your resources are spread thin. In some ways, it’s just a numbers game—attackers will keep trying to get in until they succeed, and if you don’t have the people to stop them they’ll eventually breach your system.
With IT managed services, suddenly you’ll have access to some of the top cybersecurity experts in the business. Your systems will be constantly monitored, and you’ll enjoy support from a team on the cutting-edge of preventing attacks.
That expertise also extends well beyond cybersecurity. As staff reductions threaten healthcare systems’ ability to stay within a variety of regulatory compliance mandates, a managed services provider can help you ensure you stay within the bounds of technology regulations and HIPAA requirements.
For healthcare systems being asked to do more with less every day, a good IT managed services partnership can be truly transformative.
Healthcare is facing enough challenges–technology shouldn’t be one of them.
Here’s how Resultant can help
