Netgain

As we head into a new year, practices are busy figuring out how new regulations like MACRA will affect their practice, what new technologies will add value to their operations, and how to budget accordingly.

During this busy time of the year, there are some aspects of the IT environment that are often forgotten about or overlooked in the flurry of new regulations and payment models. Here are five examples and what you can do to ensure your practice is prepared:

Barriers to use of cloud-based software have become less pronounced with accelerated adoption among healthcare organizations. In a recent IDC Health Insights survey, nearly 42 percent of respondents said they were more comfortable with cloud computing in 2015 than they were the previous year. However, substantial risks remain, and a “first-generation” approach to cloud computing can still result in serious difficulties (and resulting provider/user rejection) if those risks are not mitigated.

We recently joined over 1,400 leaders from Federally Qualified Health Centers (FCHCs) at two national conferences to learn more about the common challenges they face and identify solutions.

During our time at the California Primary Care Association (CPCA) Annual Conference and the Financial, Operation Management & Information Technology Expo, we noticed one overarching trend: a desire to empower and better serve patients. That included everything from patient portals and caring for the whole patient to patient analytics and big data. After a few years in which the system forced a lot of practices to focus on production numbers, we’re refreshed to hear practices feeling that the focus is back on the patients and quality. Recent events have clinical leaders casting a cautious eye to Washington, hoping this trend is not reversed by policy shifts.

There are over 1,200 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in the United States. For years, FQHCs have been watching the rapid adoption of cloud computing within the private-practices and desired the same great benefits. Their needs are different than other healthcare organizations, but technology service providers are slow to provide solutions that meet those needs.

It’s that time of year again – budgeting. Some administrators dread budgeting, while others love planning and dreaming of next year’s possibilities. No matter the group you fall in to, it’s time. To help you in the process, we’re outlining the key areas that healthcare technology spending is projected to increase in 2017.

As budgeting and planning season approaches, many of our clients engage us when developing their IT roadmap. We’ve found that clients who have roadmaps are able to make more proactive, informed and cost-effective decisions regarding their IT. With the ability to move confidently and deliberately in their IT decisions, these practices are able to use technology as a strategic differentiator.

Healthcare practices throughout the country are moving part or all of their IT infrastructure to one of several models of “the cloud.” The cloud computing model has proven to be an effective method for both large and small practices. Still, there is some uncertainty about when the right time is to utilize cloud computing and what problems it solves.

Since the inception of EHRs, the demand and cost of electronic storage has been a problem plaguing most healthcare organizations. Iron Mountain, a global data storage and protection company, reports that some healthcare applications, like EHR, are growing up to 70 percent per year in data storage.

When we ask our clients what their biggest struggles are as the administrator of a practice, we always hear “staying current with all of the lingo, specifically technology jargon.” Both healthcare and technology can change so quickly. It can be overwhelming to know what you need to know.

We’ve compiled a list of seven important technology terms that are commonly misrepresented, misunderstood or misused in clinical IT to help you stay educated on what matters.

With more technology in the practice than ever before and increasing regulation, healthcare organizations nationwide are trying to find ways to stabilize their IT costs.

Technology has helped healthcare practices increase efficiencies, improve quality of care, and even achieve cost savings. But it also can be unpredictable and lead to unexpected expenses.