3 Top IT-related Challenges Weighing Down Healthcare Organizations
Last updated on April 19, 2020
IT-related challenges in Healthcare Industry
With value-based care becoming deeply rooted in the healthcare industry more than ever, hospitals and other healthcare organizations are now constantly pushing for increased efficiency, better outcomes, and lower readmission rates. Crucial to these efforts are the right strategies and technologies so that costly initiatives don’t go to waste.
Even if these organizations have IT tools in place, it’s not necessarily smooth sailing right away towards more efficient processes and practices. IT teams need to ensure those tools will truly empower physicians and healthcare workers seeking to provide better care. That’s easier said than done, as there are various challenges along the way. Here are three of the biggest and most recent challenges:
1. How to make medical software solutions and EMRs more accessible
Doctors and nurses could accomplish a lot of diagnostic, clinical and healthcare tasks faster if only they had access to medical applications and EMR (Electronic Medical Records) or EHR (Electronic Health Records) data whenever they want. Mostly, these digital resources are only accessible from stationary workstations — a significant hindrance in cases that require immediate action, but the physician or nurse is doing rounds or, worse, is offsite.
2. How to keep remote connections to applications and data secure and compliant
Data protection laws and regulations usually govern access to certain types of data, and this also applies to the healthcare industry. For instance, if a physician is given access to data classified as electronically Protected Health Information (ePHI), every connection has to be protected by security controls that meet HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) requirements. Otherwise, the organization entrusted with that data could get penalized.
3. How to infuse more productivity and efficiency into the user experience
There are now a handful of solutions that enable remote access to hosted applications and data. The problem is, the UX (user experience) that accompanies many of these solutions doesn’t make them attractive. For instance, some applications and desktops delivered to touchscreen devices are incapable of responding properly to common touchscreen gestures, which frustrates users, who eventually stop using the solution.
Solving those challenges with Parallels RAS
These challenges can be addressed by using Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS), an affordable and easy–to–use virtual application and desktop delivery solution. Parallels RAS can help IT teams make medical and office Windows applications, as well as EMR/EHR data, accessible from kiosks, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and just about any device. It makes those digital resources accessible to on-the-go physicians, connecting from across the city or even across the globe.
One important thing to note here is that each Parallels RAS session is highly secure. The applications, desktops, and data delivered through Parallels RAS are hosted in a central location, making them less susceptible to risks that usually affect endpoint devices like device loss or theft. In addition, Parallels RAS includes several security controls like multi-factor authentication, encryption, advanced filtering, and more. With this option, you can be compliant with regulations like PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR even when you deliver desktops and applications to medical practitioners connecting remotely.
Last, but not least, the office, healthcare, and diagnostic desktop applications delivered to touchscreen devices (e.g., tablets and smartphones) support native touch gestures. Meaning, they can be tapped, dragged, pinched-and-zoomed, and copy and pasted with ease, thereby enabling users to accomplish their tasks quickly and more efficiently.
References:
Becker’s Hospital Review | https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/how-the-right-mobile-solution-can-transform-your-hospital-for-value-based-care.html
Evoke Technologies | https://www.evoketechnologies.com/blog/mobility-in-healthcare-why-it-matters/
HIT Infrastructure | https://hitinfrastructure.com/news/using-virtual-desktop-infrastructure-in-a-healthcare-setting
HIPAA Journal | https://www.hipaajournal.com/mobile-data-security-and-hipaa-compliance/
Parallels | https://www.parallels.com/products/ras/solutions/medical-it/