To help resolve many of these all-too-common complications, new developments in communication technologies are available for providers and their staff. In this blog, we will explore the current trends, challenges, and solutions for communication tools in healthcare.
Industry trends and challenges
In every industry, including healthcare, consumers dictate the direction of trends and innovation. To meet changing patient expectations, businesses must be open to integrating new systems and technologies. Upgrading networks to improve bandwidth is critical when aiming to accommodate the adoption of IoT-enabled tools and analytics. Additionally, developments in technology require businesses to embrace new frameworks.
Modern communication tools in healthcare allow providers to devise holistic and highly personalized care plans for patients. By implementing these burgeoning technologies, healthcare companies have more data available to them than ever before. This data can be used to improve patient care and outcomes.
However, many of these advances are difficult for healthcare businesses to integrate due to ineffective IT systems and tools. Providers can respond better to market trends by seeking new and reliable communication technologies.
Innovative communication tools in the healthcare industry
The good news is that many new cloud-native technologies, systems, applications, and workflows are emerging to aid in addressing the challenges healthcare providers are facing. Here are a few examples.
SD-WAN
Despite many healthcare businesses managing some degree of interoperability, outdated technologies and operating systems often cause network instability. Software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) offers a groundbreaking networking solution that is fast, adaptable, and secure. This approach bolsters software and application with cloud-based technology to achieve high-quality, reliable connectivity across branches and offices. Modern networking systems are critical for all types of businesses, from hospitals to doctor’s offices to data centers.
Upgrading to cloud-based VMware SD-WAN™ allows providers to achieve:
- Enhanced everyday operations.
- Minimal burden on in-house IT staff.
- Increased bandwidth for data analytics and IoT devices.
- Improved agility and performance, enabling purpose-built applications.
Download the e-book to learn more: VMware SD-WAN: The Network of Tomorrow for Healthcare Today
Network as a Service (NaaS)
Upgrading software and hardware, maintaining network security, and staying compliant are some of the primary IT concerns faced by healthcare businesses. However, the cost of deploying and maintaining modern technologies can be extensive, particularly for smaller providers. Co-managed network services unburden IT staff from ongoing management and maintenance, freeing them up to focus on projects critical to their mission.
Cisco Meraki NaaS enables healthcare businesses to:
- Protect their networks with first-class security technologies.
- Improve patient outcomes with data analytics.
- Offload routine system management.
- Maximize cost savings.
Download the e-book to learn more: Advancing Healthcare IT
Network Security as a Service (NSaaS)
Cybersecurity practices are more critical than ever. Cyberattacks are disruptive and costly, harming the bottom line and patient trust. However, providers can address these concerns with top-notch security systems, which protect data and sensitive patient information. OnX deploys cloud-based security solutions such as VMware SASE and Prisma SASE to maximize the benefits of SD-WAN networking. This approach achieves agile security networks and reduces complexity.
OnX NSaaS enables providers to:
- Improve threat assessment and prevention across all networks.
- Increase efficacy by implementing consistent policies and procedures for all network users.
- Protect patient information with best practices in compliance measures.
- Reduce expenses.
Download the e-book to learn more: SASE & ZTNA for Dummies
Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS)
Regular communication between providers and offices is becoming standard practice for healthcare practitioners. The inefficiencies of traditional contact centers may threaten patient experiences and routine operations. Additionally, businesses must account for changing patient communication preferences. A flexible and reliable cloud-based contact center solution can allow providers to achieve exceptional communications experiences for their patients and colleagues.
Five9 cloud contact center delivers functional, scalable solutions and enables the integration of custom applications. This service solves communications challenges with:
- Advanced analytics and reporting.
- Fast deployment and efficient system management and maintenance.
- Support for virtual operations and worldwide remote staff.
Minimized need for costly resources, like hardware and in-house IT staff.
Download the e-book to learn more: Reimagine Healthcare Customer Experience with Five9
Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS)
Healthcare systems, such as healthcare groups and hospitals, maintain Electronic Health Records (EHRs) with software that often doesn’t function well across systems. Additionally, providers rely on access to massive amounts of patient data, but they have limited ways to view and interact with it. Cisco Webex Calling and Microsoft Teams Voice are PCI- and PIPEDA-compliant—ensuring practitioners can safely maintain and utilize patient information. Cloud-based UCaaS enables healthcare businesses to automate and unify communication systems across and within platforms.
Healthcare workers will enjoy benefits such as:
- Voice services via the most reliable, secure collaboration tools (such as Cisco Webex). This is important for hybrid/remote worker environments.
- Versatile supplemental features and application possibilities.
- Straightforward transitions when integrating or upgrading applications.
- Streamlined systems for collaboration using a simple cloud platform.
Download the e-book to learn more: A guide to cloud-based communications for healthcare CIOs
Collaboration solutions
EHRs have revolutionized the medical field, but a lack of interoperability often makes it difficult for practitioners to share patient records between systems. This limits the possibilities for collaboration between specialists, doctors, and third-party vendors. PCI-compliant communication tools and file-sharing methods have become necessary for normal operations. Practitioners can collaborate securely and responsibly with a robust suite of systems like Cisco Webex.
Integrating modern collaboration tools in healthcare businesses benefits providers with:
- Hybrid work capabilities.
- Simplified delivery and user experience.
- Dispersed communication for chat and voice.
- Streamlined application integration and file sharing.
Download the e-book to learn more: Webex for Healthcare Systems
Get ahead with OnX expertise
Healthcare businesses face novel challenges as regular practices shift to meet patient expectations and needs. Companies must be ready to make the changes needed to keep pace with technological innovations and industry standards. In pursuit of the highest level of patient care, OnX expertise provides the tools practitioners need to achieve future-proof communications in healthcare.
OnX experts can help strategize your business transformation, deploy and manage innovative technologies, and bring outdated applications to a cloud environment. Additionally, OnX fully-managed solutions ease the strain on your IT professionals, with 24x7x365 access to our experts for the support, system management, and maintenance that allows healthcare businesses to focus their attention on delivering exceptional patient care.
Contact the experts at OnX today to learn more about how communication tools can benefit your healthcare business.