Over the course of the 21st century, technology has transformed virtually every sector, and the healthcare industry is no exception. In fact, the changes seen in healthcare over the past 20 years have been profound.
If healthcare professionals from 2023 were to witness the industry today, they would find it almost unrecognizable. From the transition to electronic patient records to the widespread use of telehealth, the sector has undergone significant transformation. These advancements have led to safer, more efficient healthcare systems, especially in large cities like Chicago, where healthcare demand is high and competition is fierce.
A key factor in these improvements has been the introduction of managed IT services. In this post, we’ll explore how these external providers have played a pivotal role in enhancing healthcare organizations’ operations.
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Reduction in Medical Malpractice
Errors in reading medical charts can lead to catastrophic consequences. A study by Johns Hopkins revealed that medical malpractice is the third-leading cause of death in the United States, following only heart disease and cancer.
For many years, hospitals relied on paper-based systems to track medical records, which had obvious limitations. Handwriting could be difficult to read, leading to confusion among healthcare professionals. Additionally, paper records were often lost or destroyed.
The adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) has resolved many of these issues. With the support of managed IT services, hospitals across the U.S., including in Chicago, have transitioned to digital records. EHRs are secure, more reliable, and eliminate the problem of unreadable handwriting.
Furthermore, the digitalization of patient data, such as allergies and prescriptions, has introduced another significant advantage: healthcare providers can now easily identify potentially dangerous drug interactions, improving patient safety.
These technological advancements have contributed to a sharp reduction in medical malpractice incidents. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that malpractice cases decreased by more than 50% from 1992 to 2014.
Cost Reduction in IT Operations
Healthcare is notoriously expensive, and hospital administrators face constant pressure to control costs. One area where savings have been realized is in IT.
Maintaining on-site server farms is costly and time-consuming. By outsourcing IT services to managed service providers, healthcare organizations have been able to migrate their networks to the cloud, significantly cutting costs. Some organizations have reported saving up to 45-50% in maintenance, energy, and related expenses.
Additionally, managed IT services help reduce labor costs. For example, the average salary for a help desk technician is around $53,000 per year. A hospital with eight in-house technicians could be spending more than $400,000 annually on salaries alone.
Outsourcing IT services can provide a full suite of offerings, including help desk support, cybersecurity, network monitoring, and disaster recovery. For a hospital with 200 users, outsourced IT services can cost approximately $240,000, which includes more than just help desk support.
Ensuring HIPAA Compliance
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), passed in 1996, was designed to modernize how healthcare organizations store and protect patient information. However, compliance with HIPAA regulations is not always consistent.
Healthcare IT professionals have a wide range of responsibilities, and sometimes HIPAA compliance is overlooked. Violations can lead to penalties of $50,000 per incident.
To ensure compliance, many healthcare organizations in cities like Chicago have turned to managed IT services providers. These firms specialize in achieving and maintaining HIPAA compliance, allowing in-house IT teams to focus on their daily tasks. This collaboration minimizes disruptions while ensuring that healthcare systems adhere to regulatory standards.
Development of Telehealth Applications
As healthcare systems continue to evolve, providing remote access to healthcare has become increasingly important. Telehealth apps have emerged as a vital tool for ensuring continued access to medical services, especially for non-emergency patients who may face challenges visiting a healthcare facility.
While some healthcare organizations have faced challenges in implementing telehealth initiatives, managed IT services have been essential in helping to overcome these hurdles. These providers bring expertise in coding, system setup, and app maintenance, enabling healthcare organizations to quickly roll out telehealth solutions.
As a result, patients in Chicago and beyond can now access medical consultations remotely, reducing the burden on healthcare facilities and enabling better healthcare delivery.
Advancements in Public Health Through Data
As healthcare organizations digitize their operations, they are accumulating vast amounts of data that hold the potential to revolutionize healthcare practices. However, the daily demands on healthcare teams often leave little time for analyzing this data.
Managed IT services can help by performing Big Data analysis, providing healthcare providers with valuable insights. For instance, these firms can analyze trends in electronic health records (EHRs), potentially helping healthcare providers detect outbreaks in real time. With this information, administrators can quickly mobilize resources to areas where they are most needed.
The Future of Healthcare in the Information Age
These advancements represent just the beginning. As artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and other technological innovations continue to evolve, healthcare organizations in cities like Chicago will become even more efficient in fulfilling their vital roles. Companies like ITRegulators, known for their expertise in Managed IT Services in Chicago, are at the forefront of this transformation, helping healthcare providers leverage technology to improve outcomes and reduce costs.
