In healthcare IT, setbacks are not just challenges; they might be opportunities in disguise. While initially daunting, navigating through IT missteps provides a unique chance for healthcare organizations to forge ahead, making substantial improvements. At Stringfellow Technology Group and with HealthSafeIT, we believe that every challenge is a steppingstone to the future clinic practice you want to build.

No healthcare provider sets out to make decisions that don’t pan out. However, when a healthcare IT strategy goes awry, it often highlights underlying issues that might have remained unnoticed, offering a learning opportunity. It’s in these moments that healthcare organizations can assess and recalibrate their technology, aligning with their core needs and long-term goals.

Case Study: Learning from Setbacks

We worked with a client who managed at least 15 different clinics throughout their footprint across the state. They had doctors working remotely on a server using Citrix to access their EHR. A previous MSP’s engineer thought it would be a good idea to use consumer-grade Raspberry Pi’s for the Citrix connection systems, no doubt motivated by savings and perhaps even the elusive challenge of trying something new and innovative with something so basic as the Raspberry Pi.

For those not in the know, a Raspberry Pi is a project board used for testing and building prototypes. Sure, it could be used in a business, but because of its lack of management and slim hardware specs, we don’t recommend them in our environments.

Suffice to say, we were not impressed. When we got them onboard and we got to work, our team pulled out all of the Raspberry Pi’s in the office. At that point they were nothing more than slow, clunky security risks. We got them Wyse terminals that ran Windows embedded and were patchable and manageable in ways the Pi’s would never be. Once they had that piece in place, they were then able to implement Prox cards to do tap and go sign in at each workstation. Many of the providers had used this in hospitals in the past and were familiar with the speed and reliability of Prox cards for login.

At the end of the day, the client had a better solution with better security that will grow with them and allow superior solutions going forward. They were very satisfied with the upgrade and will continue to enjoy performance and productivity improvements for years to come.

The Role of an Expert Healthcare IT Partnerships

Mistakes are less daunting when you have a knowledgeable partner to help navigate the complexities of healthcare IT. At HealthSafeIT, we specialize in guiding healthcare providers through the intricacies of IT decision-making, ensuring that each step forward is informed and strategic. With a partner who understands the unique challenges of healthcare IT, organizations can turn potential disasters into opportunities for growth and improvement.

Dig to Bedrock: Building a Proactive IT Culture

One of our core values at Stringfellow Technology Group is “Dig to bedrock.” This captures our attitude of going a little deeper and finding the true underlying reason for issues clients are facing. Adopting a proactive approach to business management has always been essential, but we took it a step further and applied it to IT management and how we work with our clients.

Rather than waiting for issues to arise, our partner healthcare organizations will have us conduct regular audits of their IT infrastructure to make sure nothing is falling behind. To keep staff up to par with the latest security threats, our partner staff members engage in continuous staff training. And of course we always bring the most trusted and best IT solutions for our business partners, keeping them ahead of the competitive curve and delivering on their patient care.

By fostering a culture that views IT as a dynamic and integral part of healthcare delivery, our partner organizations not only mitigate risks but enhance operations across the board.

Conclusion

While no one seeks out IT mishaps, they are, at times, inevitable. The key to turning these situations into opportunities lies in how they are handled. At Stringfellow, we use HealthSafeIT to empower healthcare providers to look beyond the immediate setbacks and envision a strategy that not only addresses the current issues but also sets the stage for future success. Remember, in the world of healthcare IT, every challenge can be an opportunity for improvement.

If you’re worried about your healthcare IT challenges, reach out today and let’s start the process of identifying and prioritizing your IT needs.