In the competitive healthcare job market, employee retention is critical. According to a Society for Human Resource Management study, finding a replacement can cost up to 3-4 times an employee’s annual salary.
Technical glitches and IT-related frustrations can take a toll on employee morale. Imagine the disappointment of healthcare professionals when their systems crash or they struggle to access vital patient information.
Outsourced IT solutions can ensure a seamless work environment where employees can focus on delivering exceptional care without being hindered by technical obstacles.
Your staff doesn’t want to be IT experts, worrying about security breaches and HIPAA compliance for data management. Above all, they want to focus on patient care because they love to help people.
Here are 8 ways outsourced IT solutions can empower your employees to do their best work plus extra tips on outsourcing your IT.
8 Ways Outsourced IT Solutions Empower Your Employees
Outsourcing IT can significantly empower non-IT employees in various ways, enhancing their efficiency, productivity, and overall job satisfaction.
1. It Allows Them to Focus on Core Responsibilities
By outsourcing IT tasks, non-IT employees can concentrate on their primary job roles without the distraction of dealing with technical issues. This clear focus allows them to be more productive and engaged in their work, leading to better outcomes and performance.
2. Outsourced IT can Enhance Efficiency and Productivity
With professional IT support readily available, non-IT employees experience fewer technical disruptions. Quick resolution of IT issues means less downtime and more time spent on productive tasks, enhancing overall efficiency. Your administrative staff can process patient appointments and billing more smoothly when they aren’t hindered by slow computer systems or software glitches.
3. It Grants Access to Expertise and Latest Technologies
Outsourcing IT gives your employees access to expert advice and the latest technological tools that they might not have otherwise. This access can improve their work processes, make their tasks easier, and allow them to adopt innovative approaches to their jobs.
4. It Helps Improve Job Satisfaction and Morale
When employees are not bogged down by IT-related problems, their job satisfaction improves. Knowing that there is reliable IT support also provides a sense of security, improving overall morale and reducing stress.
5. Outsourcing IT Opens Opportunities for Skill Development.
Outsourcing IT can also lead to opportunities for non-IT employees to learn new skills, particularly in using new software or technologies introduced by the IT service provider. This skill development can enhance their career progression and job satisfaction.
6. It Can Enhance Collaboration
Improved collaboration tools facilitated by managed IT services can lead to better coordinated care. A multidisciplinary team in a clinic, for instance, can seamlessly share patient information and treatment updates using secure messaging and collaboration platforms maintained by the IT provider, ensuring cohesive patient care.
7. Outsourced IT Can Assist in Data-Driven Decision Making
With IT outsourcing, you can leverage data analytics and business intelligence tools managed by the IT provider with ease. This can empower non-IT employees to make informed decisions based on data insights, which will improve the quality of their work.
8. It Offers Scalability and Flexibility
As your organization grows or experiences fluctuations in demand, outsourced IT services can easily scale up or down to meet your changing needs. This flexibility ensures that non-IT employees always have the right level of support and resources they need to perform their jobs effectively.
Key Outsourced IT Solutions for Healthcare Clinics
Now that you know outsourcing your IT not only places your IT operations in the hands of a dedicated team, but empowers yours employee to do their best, here are several key areas you should consider outsourcing.
- Electronic Health Records (EHR) Management: Outsourcing the implementation, management, and maintenance of EHR systems helps you ensure accurate, up-to-date patient information is available which enhances operational efficiency.
- Cybersecurity and Compliance: As you know, protecting patient data is critical in healthcare. Outsourcing cybersecurity services ensures that the latest security measures are in place to protect you against cyber threats, and help you comply with regulations like HIPAA.
- IT Infrastructure Management: This includes managing data centers, networks, and cloud services to ensure reliable and efficient IT operations. Outsourcing infrastructure management allows you to benefit from the latest technologies without the need for significant capital investments.
- Patient Engagement Solutions: Outsourcing the development and management of patient portals and other engagement tools can enhance the patient experience, providing easy access to health information, appointment scheduling, and communication with healthcare providers.
- Disaster Recovery and Data Backup: Ensuring data is backed up and that there’s a disaster recovery plan in place is crucial for healthcare organizations to prevent data loss and maintain operations in the event of a disaster. Outsourcing these services can provide robust and reliable solutions.
Different Types of IT Outsourcing
Before you lean on IT outsourcing services, it’s important to know the different types.
- Managed IT Services: Managed IT Services involve outsourcing various IT tasks and operations to an external provider, known as a Managed Services Provider (MSP). This strategic approach allows you to delegate your day-to-day IT responsibilities to specialized experts, enabling you to focus on your core objectives while ensuring your IT infrastructure is optimized, secure, and continuously monitored.
- Offshore IT Outsourcing: Offshore IT outsourcing refers to the practice of hiring an external organization to perform some IT functions in a country on the other side of the world than the country you live in. Small businesses often choose this option for cost savings, access to specialized skills, or to take advantage of a global talent pool.Common offshore outsourcing destinations include countries like India, the Philippines, and China. While offshore IT outsourcing can offer significant cost advantages, it also comes with challenges such as cultural and language barriers, potential quality control issues, and differing legal and business practices that need careful management.
- Nearshore IT Outsourcing: Nearshore outsourcing is the practice of delegating business IT services to companies located in nearby countries, often sharing a similar time zone or geographical border. This approach combines some of the cost benefits of offshore outsourcing with the convenience of closer cultural, linguistic, and temporal alignment.For example, companies in the United States often choose to outsource IT development or customer service functions to Mexico or Canada. The proximity allows for easier collaboration, more aligned working hours, and often smoother communication due to fewer language barriers and cultural differences.
- Onshore IT Outsourcing: Onshore outsourcing, also known as domestic outsourcing, refers to the practice of a company contracting out certain tasks or services to a service provider located within the same country as the hiring company.Unlike offshore outsourcing, where services are delegated to companies in other countries, onshore outsourcing aims to leverage the advantages of outsourcing while mitigating some of the challenges associated with offshoring, such as cultural differences, language barriers, and time zone discrepancies.
For example, a healthcare clinic in the United States might choose to outsource its IT support services to an IT firm also based in the United States. This allows the clinic to benefit from specialized IT expertise without the complexities of dealing with a provider in a different time zone or legal jurisdiction.
Given the complexities of the American healthcare system, we recommend healthcare clinics go with onshore outsourcing. It’s always best to go with a company that can offer tailored solutions that align with local healthcare regulations and ensure compliance.
Healthcare Outsourced IT Solutions Communication Tips
When you partner with an outsourced IT company, it’s crucial to establish a collaborative and effective working relationship to ensure the best outcomes for both parties. Here are key strategies for you to work successfully with an outsourced IT company:
- Define Clear Objectives and Expectations: Start by clearly outlining what you expect from the IT team. This includes specific goals, service level agreements (SLAs), and the scope of work. Make sure these objectives align with your clinic’s overall mission and patient care priorities.
- Ensure Compliance and Security: In the healthcare sector, compliance with regulations like HIPAA is non-negotiable. Work closely with the IT provider to ensure all services, systems, and data handling practices comply with healthcare regulations and standards, and that patient data is protected against breaches.
- Establish Open Communication Channels: Effective communication is key to any successful partnership. Set up regular meetings, reports, and updates to ensure both parties stay informed about project progress, issues, and achievements. Consider using collaborative tools for seamless communication.
- Involve Key Stakeholders: Include doctors, nurses, administrative staff, and other key stakeholders in discussions with the provider. Their insights can be invaluable in identifying practical IT needs and challenges that the IT solutions should address.
- Foster a Collaborative Relationship: View the IT provider not just as a vendor, but as a strategic partner. Encourage a collaborative environment where ideas can be freely shared, and solutions are developed together to meet the clinic’s unique needs.
Successful IT Outsourcing with The Solutions Team
Your employees don’t have the time or interest to monitor emerging technology trends. Your technology needs to be ready to grow with your clinic as it grows. IT experts constantly stay updated on new technologies and platforms to help increase your team’s efficiency and keep your clinic on the leading edge of patient care.
To thrive in today’s technology-driven healthcare landscape, small clinics must prioritize exceptional patient care while ensuring their staff has the necessary tools and support to excel. Outsourced IT solutions provide the perfect balance, allowing clinics to harness the power of cutting-edge technology while freeing up resources to focus on what truly matters – improving patient outcomes.
So, why wait? Take the leap and empower your clinic with outsourced IT solutions. Unlock the full potential of your staff, boost employee retention, and pave the way for a thriving practice.
