Healthcare IT solutions — what to consider when consulting service providers

In March’s closing days, we participated in the HealthTech Summit 2023’s 5th edition, a worldwide gathering centered around an interdisciplinary approach to innovation in healthcare. At the conference, we engaged with other healthcare technology specialists, exchanging valuable perspectives and knowledge.

At the 3-day conference, professionals from healthcare, research, entrepreneurship, and investment in the medtech, biotech, digital health, and patient care domains gathered to deliberate on the latest trends, challenges, and developments in the healthtech sector.

Being at the intersection of healthcare innovation and digital technologies enabled us to network with individuals who shared our dedication to utilizing technology to improve patient care. Additionally, it allowed us to gain a comprehensive understanding of the prominent challenges and urgent matters that experts, entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors are attempting to address in this swiftly evolving industry.

As we strive to offer direction and assistance to individuals navigating the complexities of the healthcare technology sector, we believe it is crucial to first identify the main obstacles and essential aspects that healthcare organizations and entrepreneurs should bear in mind while exploring IT solutions or pursuing collaborative partnerships for innovative initiatives.

Following our conversations with several individuals in the healthcare technology industry, ranging from national to international experts in medtech, biotech, digital health, and patient care. A pattern started to emerge, and it became apparent that the 3 main challenges these individuals struggle with are:

• Finding experienced professionals in the field
• Navigating healthcare regulations such as HIPAA compliance
• Staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements

With the healthcare industry continuously evolving through the advancements made by providers, health plans, and technology firms, staying abreast of the latest and most significant technological developments in this field is becoming increasingly challenging.

With the key challenges identified, let’s delve into potential solutions to address them.

Finding experienced professionals in the field

Healthcare organizations often have innovative ideas but may lack the IT expertise required to develop and manage specific solutions. To overcome this hurdle, partnering with software service providers that specialize in healthcare IT solutions can be beneficial in ensuring successful deployment of technology.

When searching for the appropriate software service provider for healthcare IT solutions, consider the following factors:

• The provider’s technical expertise and capabilities:

When seeking a software service provider for healthcare IT solutions, it’s crucial to select a partner with a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare industry and its specific technological needs.

Additionally, it’s essential to ensure that the potential partner has a strong quality assurance and testing process in place to guarantee that their solutions meet industry standards and are free of any technical errors.

• Record of past experiences:

It is essential to select a vendor with a proven history of delivering top-notch healthcare IT solutions that cater to the demands of healthcare organizations and their patients. Opting for a reputable software service provider with a varied portfolio can provide access to an extensive array of solutions, demonstrating the provider’s dedication to keeping up with current industry trends and technologies.

Navigating healthcare regulations such as HIPAA compliance

Compliance with healthcare regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), is crucial to protect patient privacy and security, and it can be challenging for software service providers to navigate these complex rules. As a result, it’s important to choose a vendor who demonstrates a thorough understanding of these regulations and their impact on healthcare IT solutions.

For example, HIPAA establishes national standards for safeguarding the privacy and security of individually identifiable health information, and any software service provider handling protected health information (PHI) must be HIPAA-compliant. Thus, a potential partner should have a proven track record of meeting HIPAA requirements and a deep understanding of how their solutions comply with these standards.

To demonstrate their HIPAA compliance, a software service provider can utilize secure data centers that meet HIPAA requirements. One example of an established standard is ISO certifications, specifically ISO/IEC 27001, which outlines best practices for information security management systems (ISMS). This certification indicates that an organization has implemented and maintains effective information security controls, such as physical and logical access controls, incident management, business continuity, and disaster recovery.

Software service providers can use their ISO/IEC 27001 certification to demonstrate their commitment to maintaining secure data centres that comply with HIPAA regulations. Healthcare organizations can request evidence of this certification when evaluating potential partners to ensure the provider has implemented effective information security controls for sensitive patient data. This certification can provide additional assurance that the provider is dedicated to maintaining a secure environment for their client’s data.

Staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements

To meet the changing needs of healthcare, a software service provider should remain current with the latest technological advancements and be capable of offering cutting-edge solutions. For example, they should be knowledgeable about emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and blockchain and know how to use them to enhance patient care and optimize healthcare operations.

It’s crucial to also consider whether the software service provider participates and contributes to the healthcare technology community and engages with industry-related topics. Active involvement in the community can be immensely beneficial, as it enables companies to share knowledge and insights, stay current with the latest technological advancements, and establish a robust network of professionals in the field. By contributing and engaging in discussions about industry-related topics, companies can have a positive impact on the industry by raising awareness about important issues and creating spaces for open discussion and debate. This can lead to the development of innovative solutions that can address industry challenges and enhance patient care. Overall, companies that actively contribute to the healthcare technology community play a critical role in advancing the industry and making a significant impact on healthcare.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the use of healthcare IT solutions is crucial in delivering better care to patients and transforming the healthcare industry. However, healthcare organizations and entrepreneurs face unique challenges when developing and implementing these solutions. Factors such as finding experienced professionals, navigating healthcare regulations like HIPAA compliance, and keeping up with the latest technological advancements are all essential considerations.

Working with software service providers that specialize in healthcare IT solutions can help address these challenges and ensure that the technology is deployed effectively. By considering these factors and seeking guidance from knowledgeable professionals, healthcare organizations and entrepreneurs can make informed decisions about their IT solutions and improve patient care.

To access our full article, click here.