In today’s healthcare landscape, having a reliable and efficient Health IT system is crucial for organizations to stay competitive. Many healthcare organizations rely on their internal IT teams to manage their technological infrastructure and provide support for their systems. However, an external Health IT partner can offer significant advantages that can transform your organization’s efficiency and effectiveness.
In this blog post, we will delve into the challenges and pitfalls faced by internal IT teams. Then we’ll discuss how a third-party partner, like Stringfellow, can provide a comprehensive solution to overcome these hurdles and unlock your true potential.
The Pitfalls of Internal IT
Limited Resources and Budget Constraints
Internal IT teams often face significant resource limitations and tight budgets. Often this can result in a focus on short-term, reactive solutions rather than long-term strategic planning. This can lead to the creation of IT systems that prioritize user support over process improvement and workflow optimization. Additionally, the hiring process for internal IT teams might revolve around addressing immediate needs. You should be building a strong foundation for the future by recruiting strategic leaders who can drive innovation and transformation.
Lack of Self-Assessment and Auditing
Internal IT teams may avoid conducting regular risk assessments and audits, fearing potential blowback from their configurations and security issues. This reluctance can lead to skipped initiatives, unaddressed vulnerabilities, and an unwillingness to implement necessary improvements. Moreover, without external input, internal IT teams may become complacent and lack the motivation to push for change, leading to stagnation and an inability to adapt to the evolving technological landscape.
Resistance to Change and Territorial Mindsets vs. a Health IT Partner
Internal IT teams may become territorial about their systems. They may refuse to adopt new ideas or technologies that could improve their organization’s overall efficiency and security. They may rely on outdated playbooks from their previous experiences. These old playbooks don’t align with the organization’s current needs or resources, resulting in inefficient and vulnerable systems. Furthermore, this resistance to change can lead to a stifling work environment. You don’t want new ideas and innovation to be discouraged! This could be preventing the organization from reaching its full potential.
Hindrance to Growth and Impact on Company Culture
Internal IT teams can become a hindering force, preventing growth and fostering negativity around technology within the organization. This can lead to employees avoiding IT support, creating workarounds or “shadow IT,” and ultimately damaging productivity and efficiency. The negative perception of IT support may result in employees feeling frustrated and unsupported. Sometimes this even can lower morale and STOP collaboration. As internal IT teams become more disillusioned, they may disengage from their roles and responsibilities. This leads to a downward spiral of poor performance and dissatisfaction.
The Stringfellow Advantage
Dynamic Leadership and Accountability
A third-party Health IT partner, like Stringfellow, can provide dynamic leadership and a higher level of accountability, holding everyone in the organization responsible for their actions, including providers and C-level executives. With extensive industry experience, we are well-positioned to drive the implementation of strategic initiatives and best practices, acting as a catalyst for positive change within your organization. By acting as an impartial arbiter, we can facilitate constructive conversations and foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
Expertise and Advanced Toolset from a Health IT Partner
Our team is larger and more experienced than most internal IT teams, allowing us to bring a wealth of expertise to our clients that they may not have access to otherwise. We are constantly learning from our interactions with various clients. This enables us to pool our resources and share insights and knowledge across the organizations we serve. We utilize a toolset specifically designed to provide the best services for multiple organizations. This lets us to leverage our resources effectively and deliver customized solutions that cater to each client’s unique needs. By having access to a broader range of tools and technologies, we can help your organization stay ahead of the curve and maintain a competitive edge in the industry.
Proactive, Not Reactive Approach, from a Health IT Partner
Smaller internal IT teams often find themselves in a constant state of reaction to issues and challenges, as they struggle to keep up with the demands of their organization. At Stringfellow, our focus is on proactivity, ensuring that we stay ahead of potential problems. We dedicate our resources to strategic initiatives that will drive long-term success. Our reputation is on the line, so we are committed to delivering the best possible service, knowing that our success depends on our clients’ satisfaction. By taking a proactive approach, we can identify potential issues before they become critical, allowing us to implement solutions that minimize downtime and disruption to your operations.
Summary
An external Health IT partner, like Stringfellow, can help your organization overcome the pitfalls of internal IT and unlock the full potential of your technology infrastructure. With our dynamic leadership, industry expertise, and proactive approach, we are committed to helping you achieve the best possible outcomes for your organization. Don’t let the limitations of internal IT hold you back. Explore the advantages of partnering with a trusted external Health IT partner today. By embracing a collaborative relationship with an external partner, you can transform your organization. You can improve efficiency, and foster a culture of innovation that will propel you towards long-term success.
Resources:
The Value of Third-Party Consultants During an EHR Implementation | Afia (afiahealth.com)
The Benefits of Outsourcing in Healthcare (compassonehealthcare.com)