As healthcare organizations increasingly rely on technology to improve patient care, many are turning to managed IT services providers to help manage their IT infrastructure. A managed IT services provider (MSP) can provide a range of services, from managing and monitoring networks and servers to providing backup and disaster recovery solutions.

However, not all managed IT services providers are created equal, and healthcare organizations need to be strategic in their selection of a provider. In this article, we'll outline some best practices for healthcare organizations that are considering managed IT services.

Conduct a Thorough Needs Assessment

Before healthcare organizations start their search for a managed IT services provider, it's important to first conduct a thorough needs assessment. This involves identifying pain points and areas for improvement, determining technology requirements, and evaluating the organization's current IT infrastructure.

For example, a healthcare organization may identify a need for a more robust electronic health records (EHR) system, or they may need help with compliance with regulatory requirements. By conducting a thorough needs assessment, organizations can better evaluate potential managed IT services providers and identify providers that are best suited to meet their specific needs.

Research and Vet MSPs

Once healthcare organizations have identified their needs, the next step is to research and vet potential managed IT services providers. It's important to consider the provider's experience in healthcare, evaluate their expertise in relevant technologies, and assess their approach to disaster recovery and business continuity planning.

For example, a managed IT services provider with experience in healthcare will understand the unique challenges that healthcare organizations face, such as compliance with HIPAA regulations. Additionally, a provider with expertise in relevant technologies, such as EHR systems, can help organizations optimize their technology investments.

Determine the Scope of Services

Once healthcare organizations have identified potential managed IT services providers, the next step is to determine the scope of services needed. This involves identifying the services required to meet the organization's needs, considering the provider's ability to provide customized solutions, and evaluating the provider's ability to scale services as the organization grows.

For example, a healthcare organization may require 24/7 monitoring of their network and servers, as well as backup and disaster recovery solutions. A managed IT services provider that offers customized solutions can tailor their services to meet the specific needs of the organization, rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach.

Service Level Agreement (SLA)

Once healthcare organizations have identified a managed IT services provider and determined the scope of services needed, the next step is to develop a detailed service level agreement (SLA). An SLA is a contract between the healthcare organization and the managed IT services provider that defines the services to be provided, establishes performance metrics and service level targets, and defines pricing and payment terms.

A well-defined SLA can help ensure that the healthcare organization receives the services they require, while also providing the managed IT services provider with clear expectations and guidelines.

Establish a Strong Partnership

To ensure the success of the relationship with the managed IT services provider, it's important to establish a strong partnership. This involves maintaining open lines of communication, setting regular check-ins and performance reviews, ensuring that the provider understands the organization's goals and objectives, and fostering a collaborative relationship.

For example, regular check-ins can help ensure that the provider is meeting the organization's needs, while also providing an opportunity for the organization to provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Ensure Compliance

Finally, it's important to ensure that the managed IT services provider is compliant with relevant regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA regulations. This involves ensuring that the provider has experience with relevant regulations, establishing policies and procedures to ensure compliance, and monitoring the provider's compliance with regulations.

For example, a healthcare organization may require that the managed IT services provider sign a business associate agreement (BAA), which is a contract that outlines the provider's responsibilities for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of protected health information (PHI). The BAA also requires the provider to report any breaches of PHI to the healthcare organization in a timely manner.

Additionally, healthcare organizations should establish policies and procedures to ensure that they are compliant with regulatory requirements. This includes policies and procedures for access control, data backup and recovery, disaster recovery and business continuity planning, and security incident management.

How Anteris Can Help

By adhering to these best practices and drawing inspiration from the remarkable success stories of other healthcare organizations, Anteris emerges as a paramount solution for leveraging managed IT services to revolutionize healthcare delivery. With an exceptional track record of reliability and expertise in the industry, Anteris stands as a trusted and dependable partner, equipped with a comprehensive suite of services tailored to the specific demands of healthcare organizations.

Through a strategic alliance with Anteris, healthcare organizations gain access to an array of cutting-edge technological solutions and expert support. Anteris understands the intricacies and nuances of the healthcare sector, enabling them to design custom IT strategies that optimize patient care, streamline operational workflows, and fortify compliance with regulatory standards.

By embracing Anteris as their managed IT services provider, healthcare organizations position themselves at the forefront of digital transformation in the healthcare sector. They gain a strategic partner who not only possesses the technological prowess but also the industry knowledge and regulatory expertise necessary to navigate the complex healthcare landscape.