The recent press release, “New Jersey Top Docs Choose Exigent Technologies for IT Support & Services” drew attention to the fact that several of the physicians and practices named in the popular listing published by New Jersey Monthly magazine engage us for their IT support and outsourcing.
According to the information on the NJ Monthly website, the list is comprised of doctors that were chosen by their peers as the physician that they would call on for themselves or a family member in need.
This makes perfect sense to me. Yet several of the doctors that I have spoken to, both those that that made the list and others that didn’t, have curiously downplayed their appearance or lack thereof on the list.
Surely, being included on this list means something positive. I’m not touching this one with a ten foot pole. Suffice it to say we’re smitten to count many of the state’s top docs as our clients – PERIOD.
Digg This | Save to del.icio.us
As technology and practice management goes, few things are more important than the proper backup and safeguarding of your practice data. But traditionally, physician practices remain severely behind the curve when it comes to technology. Conversely, the data stored in the medical office is vitally important. Patient records, billing, correspondence, receivables, electronic medical records and accounting information are just a partial list of items that are sitting on computer systems in your office and entrusted to your care by your patients.
Recent reports and our own experience indicate that most practice managers admit to doing a poor job at protecting their data. Many report that they have little or no process in place for disaster recovery. Shockingly, many assume that the backup is someone else’s responsibility.
In terms of backup and disaster recovery, it’s not IF, but WHEN. The key is to be prepared. Will you be a survivor or statistic?
SIN 1: You just assume that your backup is working
Your backup was set up by some vendor, perhaps your practice management software vendor. You were told that it was automated and that the most you needed to do was swap out tapes periodically.
SIN 2: You are still using tapes for backup
Tape technology is becoming obsolete and is being replaced by much faster and more reliable disk-based backup. The truth is that tape has a poor record of reliability.
SIN 3: You are only backing up practice data
Many practices are only backing up their practice management data (or at least they think so). What about all of the other files such as spreadsheets, accounting data, documents, correspondence and e-mail? Is any of this work product stranded on PCs around the office?
SIN 4: Your backups are not password protected or encrypted
What would happen if your backup fell into the wrong hands? You would likely be in a world of trouble and undoubtedly legally responsible for any ensuing damages.
SIN 5: You are not properly storing your backups
Are you or someone else in the office charged with shuttling backup tapes to and from the office? Is there any chance that those tapes were ever left in a car during a hot day in August? How about overnight in freezing temperatures? Many practices we meet extol the virtues of their “fireproof box”. Unfortunately, the likelihood of your backup tapes surviving the heat of a burning building is very low.
SIN 6: You are not keeping enough backups
Many practices are performing a daily backup, overwriting the previous backups. But what if you needed to go back to a certain point in time for legal or technical reasons? Do you have archived copies of your backup?
SIN 7: You are not using offsite data backup
Once out of reach for most medical practices, the cost of offsite data backup has plummeted to jaw-dropping lows. Integrated onsite and offsite backup strategies can be had for less than $150 per month.
Digg This | Save to del.icio.us
As I make the rounds, meeting different practice managers and physicians, I never cease to be amazed at how many EMR vendors are misleading prospects into thinking that their firms are truly capable of providing comprehensive support for all of the practice’s technology needs. At best, their idea of comprehensive IT support is usually a remote call center for software support and a recommendation to a third-party IT firm. And when the finger pointing begins between the EMR vendor and the IT services firm, the customer is usually left holding the bag.
When using an electronic medical records (EMR) system, the reliability and uptime of your computers, network and related technologies is crucial. The fact is that failures on your network or servers can cause your practice to grind to a screeching halt.
Nearly all EMR vendors are software companies, only. They don’t specialize in the highly complex world of computer networking. In an effort to “close the deal”, many will claim to have the expertise to deliver the “complete solution” of hardware, software and installation. Others will tell you that they don’t get involved with it and may recommend a local IT company. Be wary! Let the blame games begin!
What if you could have the best of both worlds? Exigent Technologies is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, Microsoft’s highest level of accreditation. We’ve been working with specialty physician practices in New Jersey and Manhattan for over 11 years. Our uniqueness lies in the fact that we provide expertise in advanced networking and Microsoft technologies, as well as electronic medical records. Most of all, we understand the business and dynamics of a busy medical office.
The benefit to you and your practice is a single source provider for all of your information technology and EMR support needs. Avoid the blame game and consolidate vendors by considering a true IT solutions provider that offers the best of advanced networking and computer support along with world-class EMR software.
Digg This | Save to del.icio.us
Some time ago, Exigent Technologies made its decision to partner with gloStream, Inc. for electronic medical records. There were a few good reasons that gloStream was chosen. More on that in a future post. But today, I was delighted to receive a specific piece of information that I found very interesting. It certainly served to validate my choice of EMR software providers.
The information is specifically useful for our NJ and NY cardiology and pediatrics practices. Please note that these numbers will change over time, but as of the date of this writing, here are the facts.
- There are (34) companies with 2008 CCHIT certified ambulatory products
- Only (7) of those products above also have child health and cardiovascular certifications from CCHIT
- Of the (7) products listed above, only (4) of those products have been certified by CCHIT every year since inception
Pretty impressive! With all this, plus local support, Microsoft Office integration, built in voice recognition, and a host of benefits, gloStream has certainly distinguished itself in a very crowded marketplace, especially for these two specific practice areas.
Digg This | Save to del.icio.us
