Health Technology, Digital Healthcare
Article | September 8, 2023
© 2019 American Cranes & Transport Magazine.
Night moves
Moving over-sized, over-dimensional loads during the day is no easy task. Adding darkness and poor visibility to your trip adds numerous hazards that must be thoroughly identified and mitigated.
When planning a specialized transportation project, there are three primary objectives:
Ensure the safety of the transport crew and the general public.
Protect the integrity of the cargo and transport equipment.
Protection of Infrastructure – roads, bridges, traffic control devices, utilities and the like.
For the most part, specialized carriers perform night transports to reduce the impact on day-time commuter traffic. Route challenges – construction, road closures, lane crossovers, bridges and other obstacles – are often better solved at night. Police and utility support are often more readily available at night.
Night transport hazards include employee fatigue, slowed reaction time and poor visibility for both the transport crew and motorists. Decreased visibility increases potential for trips, falls, runovers, back overs and equipment strikes.
It can’t be emphasized enough how critically important it is to ensure that all transport crew members have had adequate rest for these projects. Workers need complete rest before the transport takes place. A fatigued worker is a danger to himself as well as his fellow crew members. And while impaired drivers can be out on the streets during the day, there is often an increased number of these drivers on roadways at night.
Limited visibility is a given when it comes to night-time transports. Limited visibility increases the chance of going off route and striking objects, and the transport driver’s maneuverability and reaction time maybe be reduced. Road conditions can abruptly change during a night-time transport. Therefore, it is critically important to know the route and to have drivers run it in advance. Statistically speaking, accident frequency increases when the transporter goes off route and attempts to correct itself. While providing the necessary lighting to make night transport is important, artificial lighting can pose visibility hazards, especially to the drivers. Other hazards may include bright work lighting that produces glare.
OSHA has identified the “Focus Four” accident events that make up the most serious injuries and fatalities in the construction business. They are also known as the “Fatal Four.” Many carriers have had employees injured in the past as a result of one of these four incidents.
Caught-in-between hazards are injuries resulting from a person being squeezed, caught, crushed, pinched or compressed between two or more objects or between parts of an object. This is also referred to as “pinch points or entrapment.” As the transporter navigates its designated route the landscape is continuously changing. It is imperative that all ground crew members maintain situational awareness and not place themselves between the moving transporter and fixed objects such as guardrails, parked vehicles, buildings, etc.
Struck-by hazards are injuries produced by forcible contact or impact between the injured person and an object or piece of equipment. There are many potential struck-by hazards. Guide wires that must be raised can snap and strike workers on the ground. Tag lines should be used to control loads. The primary purpose of using tag lines is to control the load but more importantly give the worker a safe buffer distance away from suspended and the uncontrolled movement of these loads.
Fall hazards are anything that could cause an unintended loss of balance or bodily support and result in a fall. To prevent fall hazards all workers should have either fall prevention or a means of fall protection in place. As a rule, 100 percent tie off is required when using a fall arrest system (FAS). FAS’s should be thoroughly inspected before each use.
Electrocution hazards result when a person is exposed to a lethal amount of electrical energy. Maintaining minimum approach distances (MAD) is a critical safety practice. As everyone knows, equipment does not have to physically make contact with energized equipment or lines to cause serious injuries and even death. Electrical energy can “jump” from lines into equipment that has encroached the Minimum Approach Distance based on its voltage.
As noted above, it is critically important to ensure that crew members have had adequate rest and are not fatigued. Night transports are difficult enough, and the last thing you want to introduce are tired and fatigued workers. Being fatigued creates a risk for anyone who undertakes an activity that requires concentration and a quick response.
All companies should have an “Hours Worked Policy” that clearly spells out the number of hours allowed to work before a mandatory rest period. This policy should ensure that the transport crew has had adequate rest during day, that a fatigue assessment is conducted on all team members, that crews are never allowed to work double shifts and that employees are prohibited from driving long distances to return home.
Dealing with darkness
Visibility and slowed reaction times should be a part of the project planning. A limited amount of ambient light that only projects upward and outward impedes vision and increases blind spots for drivers. Lights cast shadows, increasing the potential for slips, trips and falls.
All transport moves should establish pre-planned Emergency Action Plans. When an emergency occurs, time is of the essence and can mean the difference between life and death. If it is a long-distance move the emergency numbers and first responder information can change. Crews should know when it’s time to seek emergency “safe harbor.”
When approaching overhead obstructions such as guide wires, electrical lines, communication lines and overpasses, travel speed is of utmost importance. Again, pre-route surveys provide advance knowledge of obstructions. At night, visual identification of roadway obstructions is reduced and delayed and last second reactions to oncoming hazards can lead to accidents. Support personnel in bucket trucks also have the challenge of reduced visibility.
In darkness, overhead hazards often require more utility support for height clearances, which means the need for raising energized lines, lifting traffic control devices, trimming tree limbs, releasing tension on guide wires, removing highway signs, repositioning street lights and raising railroad crossing arms.
Traffic control can also create hazards. The general public may ignore pilot car lights at night, so it’s often advisable to also use police escorts. All support vehicles and trucks should be properly marked and equipped with strobe lights.
The configuration of the transport system can also be a hazard. Navigating sharp turns or crossovers is greatly reduced based on the length of transporter. Snake-like maneuvers of trailers pose an increased risk.
It’s important to never allow personnel to take shortcuts by walking through or under transporter while it’s in motion. Stop or have the worker go around.
Situational awareness
The transport crew must always maintain “situational awareness” to prevent being in line of fire or entrapped between moving and fixed objects.
All the equipment used in the transport must be deemed safe. You should have procedures to conduct thorough assessment of all new equipment.
Ensure machine guard devices are in place especially around moving components.
Provide secured areas using catwalks/railing system.
All steps should be designed with slip resistant material.
Ensure that all deck openings are properly protected and covered.
Components that hydraulically extend and retract should be clearly posted with DANGER signs.
Roadway conditions are always a bigger concern at night. Assess weather conditions prior to start of the project and don’t take chances. A “Go – No Go” criteria should be developed for each project. Once the decision is made to transport the load there is no turning back. Changing weather can cause the transporter to lose traction. Underpasses that are shaded during the day will likely freeze up more quickly. If the temperatures drop significantly during the move, equipment performance may be affected – especially those with hydraulics.
Because the reaction time of the transport crew is reduced, speeds are often reduced, causing potential for curfew violations. Boarding and deboarding the transporter increases risk for slips and falls. Other potential road condition hazards include grade of road, width of road, shoulder surfaces, railroad crossing clearances and bottoming out, overpasses, tight and narrow turning lanes, parked vehicles and frequent grade changes.
Crew prep is essential and should be a part of the job plan and job training. The team should be briefed each day to identify the responsibilities of all crew members. The crew should know it is empowered; everyone has the authority to stop the transport if something looks unsafe or when someone is unsure. In the event of a complication, crews should be informed of how to regroup and formulata mitigation plan. There should be an established means of communication that is limited only to transport issues. Most importantly, crew should embrace these words: When in doubt, call time out!
A Task Hazard Analysis (THA) should address all scope of work activities, identify hazards and have a mitigation plan for each, clear channels of communication, the traffic control plan and an “Emergency Preparedness Plan.” And finally: Know the route; ride the route and expect the unexpected.
Edwards-Moving_Faktor-5 (2).jpg
Edwards Moving performs a night move using it’s Goldhofer Faktor-5 transport system.
Keys to a successful night transport
Early planning and attention to detail. Anticipate roadway hazards such as guardrails, poles & hydrants that pose obstruction with travel path or turning radius.
Preparing a detailed traffic control plan.
Thorough due diligence throughout scope of work.
Established contingency plan for equipment.
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Health Technology, AI
Article | July 18, 2023
Discover the EHR companies that empower medical professionals with user-friendly interfaces and clinical decision support. Stay abreast of the top EHR companies reshaping healthcare delivery.
Electronic health records (EHRs) have become vital in streamlining patient care, enhancing efficiency, and promoting data-driven decision-making. As healthcare providers shift from traditional paper-based systems to digital solutions, numerous EHR companies have emerged, providing advanced EHR technologies that transform how medical information is collected, organized, and utilized.
This article features the top 25 EHR companies at the forefront of this digital revolution, showcasing their innovative solutions, commitment to data security, interoperability, and user-centric designs.
1. WebPT
WebPT is a premier rehab therapy platform that elevates patient care and drives business growth. With a comprehensive suite of features, including scheduling, documentation, billing, outcomes tracking, business reporting, and system integrations, it offers a robust web-based solution that caters to outpatient settings of all sizes, facility types, and specialties. Since its launch in 2008, WebPT has demonstrated remarkable growth and success, earning its place on the prestigious ‘Inc. 5000 List of America's Fastest-Growing Companies’ for an impressive nine consecutive years, an accomplishment achieved by less than 1% of companies on the Inc. 5000 list.
2. CarePaths EHR
CarePaths EHR, a renowned provider of affordable behavioral health EHR and practice management system, is recognized among the best EHR companies catering to psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and counselors in private practice, group practice, and health systems. Its all-inclusive package offers seamless management of various practice aspects, including patient records, clinical record keeping, customized documentation, treatment plans, outcomes & assessment tracking, and practice management tools. CarePaths EHR offers practitioners a seamless experience with eligibility verification, scheduling, reporting, accounting, and convenient ePrescribing functionality, even from mobile devices.
3. iPatientCare
iPatientCare is a leading provider of a comprehensive suite of innovative healthcare products and value-added services dedicated to assisting physician offices, rural health clinics, and community/federally qualified health centers (CHC/FQHC) in enhancing patient care, improving patient health outcomes, and reducing the costs associated with delivering care. Its highly acclaimed EHR, integrated practice solutions, and additional services, such as revenue cycle enhancement and quality improvement consulting, offer a complete package to effectively manage practice operations, boost revenue generation, and provide superior patient care. iPatientCare enables healthcare providers to significantly reduce accounts receivable (A/R) days and enhance collection rates while streamlining billing processes, alleviating internal workload, and bridging staffing gaps.
4. Azalea Health
Azalea Health is a leading provider of interoperable cloud-based healthcare solutions and services. Its comprehensive portfolio includes electronic health records (EHR) with integrated telehealth functionality, personal health records, mobile health applications, and interoperability services. With a strong focus on customer success, this EHR company caters to practices and ambulatory hospital strategies, delivering immediate improvements in cash flow and clinical outcomes through innovations in revenue cycle performance and care coordination. The company's offerings include laboratory ordering and results management, patient portal and PHR solutions, telehealth services, population health management tools, revenue cycle performance services, patient-centered medical home services, and pre-certification services.
5. Bizmatics
PrognoCIS, engineered, owned, and serviced by Bizmatics Inc., is one of the leading EHR companies that provides clinical and business productivity software & services to medical practices and multi-specialties. Its flagship cloud-based application, PrognoCIS, offers a fully-integrated solution encompassing EHR, telemedicine, practice management, medical billing, RCM, patient engagement tools, and more. PrognoCIS EHR, built on a robust multi-tier internet architecture, supports various medical specialties and offers customizable templates for tailored documentation. With seamless information flow between the EHR and Billing modules, the company ensures real-time data exchange. It is HIPAA-compliant, ICD-10 enabled, and Meaningful Stage 2 Certified, with click-saving features that enhance productivity and optimize workflow.
6. Modernizing Medicine
Modernizing Medicine Gastroenterology, formerly known as gMed and now a subsidiary of Modernizing Medicine, is a renowned provider of an integrated health IT platform designed explicitly for the gastroenterology industry. Its comprehensive range of data-driven products and services caters to private practices, ambulatory surgery centers, and hospitals. The offerings include an advanced EHR system, an efficient endoscopy report writer, a comprehensive practice management solution, a patient engagement portal, a value-based care solution, data analytics tools, and revenue cycle management services. Additionally, gMed Canada, Inc. operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Modernizing Medicine Gastroenterology, Inc., further extending the company's reach and impact in the healthcare industry.
7. Sevocity
Sevocity is a leading provider of electronic health record (EHR) solutions dedicated to empowering physician practices and health centers to adopt and utilize EHRs effectively. It offers affordable and user-friendly cloud-based solutions supported by exceptional customer service. Sevocity's cloud solution ensures secure and convenient access to clinical information anywhere. The innovative model of this EHR software development company enables physician practices and health centers to implement cost-effective solutions with minimal upfront investments and eliminates the need for additional maintenance costs. Electronic health record companies such as this one is committed to facilitating the seamless integration of EHR technology, enabling healthcare providers to enhance their practice efficiency and deliver quality patient care.
8. Visonex
Visonex prioritizes establishing solid client relationships by going beyond technology and ensuring ongoing success. With its Clarity EHR solution, Visonex offers a treatment-centric approach tailored to the unique needs of dialysis clinics. Its user-friendly and configurable system keeps clinics ahead of regulatory changes and provides exceptional support with 24/7 assistance and cost-free webinars. The electronic health record company also offers Visonex Enhanced Services that combine Clarity EHR with data management and dialysis billing services, including CROWNWeb electronic submission, quality measures assessment tools, and specialized billers.
9. WRS Health
WRS Health is a cloud-based EHR and practice management software company. Its core mission is to assist physicians in achieving balance in their roles as healers, business owners, and individuals. With a focus on simplifying operational tasks and promoting business growth, WRS Health has developed systems and processes that automate practice management, allowing physicians to devote their time to patient care. Its comprehensive tools seamlessly manage clinical and billing information, while additional services such as the virtual front desk assistant, MIPS management, and revenue cycle management support automation and task delegation.
10. eClinical Solutions
eClinical Solutions is a globally recognized company that supports life sciences organizations in expediting their clinical development endeavors through its biometrics services and ‘elluminate’ Clinical Data Cloud expertise. The ‘elluminate’ platform serves as the cornerstone of digital trials, allowing clients to conveniently access all their data from a single centralized location. By integrating eClinical Biometrics Services, clients gain self-service capabilities and benefit from advanced analytics, empowering them to make informed and timely business decisions. With its comprehensive suite of services and cutting-edge technology, eClinical Solutions plays a pivotal role in accelerating clinical development initiatives worldwide.
11. AdvancedMD
AdvancedMD is a prominent electronic health record software company specializing in cloud medical office software. It caters to ambulatory medical practices, providing comprehensive solutions to support independent physicians and their staff. The company offers a flexible outsourced billing option, allowing practices to leverage the services of a third-party billing company. It empowers clients with state-of-the-art tools and technologies that seamlessly integrate practice and patient workflows, creating a transformative practice experience. With AdvancedMD, healthcare facilities can efficiently handle higher patient volumes, resulting in enhanced productivity and improved financial outcomes. Patients benefit from electronically connecting and engaging with their healthcare providers, enhancing their overall healthcare experience.
12. Practice Fusion
Practice Fusion is cloud-based EHR offers time-saving features like customizable templates and patient charts that adapt to individual needs, focusing on enhancing efficiency and streamlining workflows. This EHR platform integrates with local pharmacies, laboratories, imaging centers, and other tools, enabling smooth information exchange. Clients benefit from flexible billing options, collaborating with industry-leading partners to expedite payment processes. Monitoring progress is simplified with insightful dashboards, and reporting data can be directly submitted to CMS through the EHR. As a cloud-based solution, there is no need to download software or manage hardware, ensuring both security and up-to-date functionality.
13. DrChrono
DrChrono aims to enhance the quality of care by making it more informed, interactive, and personalized. The company's open platform is the backbone for various healthcare solutions, including telehealth, electronic health records (EHR), practice management, medical billing, and revenue cycle management. With a strong emphasis on flexibility and customization, the platform easily extends through a robust API and offers a marketplace of applications and services. DrChrono's platform facilitates millions of patient appointments and efficiently processes billions of dollars in medical billing. It plays a crucial role in revolutionizing the healthcare industry by empowering providers and patients. 14. CureMD CureMD's portfolio comprises a range of cutting-edge solutions, including certified electronic medical records (EMR), practice management, patient portal, and medical billing services. By offering these comprehensive tools, CureMD aims to expedite the adoption of EHRs and assist healthcare providers in achieving ‘Meaningful Use’ qualification, thereby driving positive outcomes and maximizing value and subsidy payments. Leveraging advanced web technology and award-winning usability, CureMD empowers healthcare professionals to make informed decisions, streamline operations, and ensure compliance with industry standards. CureMD's comprehensive EMR solution is tailored to customize care delivery, enhance quality and patient safety, maximize efficiency, and reduce expenses. Its integrated platform combines practice management, electronic health records, patient portals, and a mobile care solution catering to medical practices of all sizes.
14. CureMD
CureMD's portfolio comprises a range of cutting-edge solutions, including certified electronic medical records (EMR), practice management, patient portal, and medical billing services. By offering these comprehensive tools, CureMD aims to expedite the adoption of EHRs and assist healthcare providers in achieving ‘Meaningful Use’ qualification, thereby driving positive outcomes and maximizing value and subsidy payments. Leveraging advanced web technology and award-winning usability, CureMD empowers healthcare professionals to make informed decisions, streamline operations, and ensure compliance with industry standards. CureMD's comprehensive EMR solution is tailored to customize care delivery, enhance quality and patient safety, maximize efficiency, and reduce expenses. Its integrated platform combines practice management, electronic health records, patient portals, and a mobile care solution catering to medical practices of all sizes.
15. RXNT
Founded in 1999, RXNT has significantly impacted the healthcare industry by introducing a groundbreaking cloud-based solution for prescription writing. Over the years, its commitment to innovation has remained unwavering, enabling it to deliver top-notch solutions that set the industry standard continuously. This electronic health record software company takes pride in offering these cutting-edge solutions at an affordable cost, ensuring that healthcare providers can access the best tools available. By providing these essential tools, RXNT empowers thousands of healthcare providers to concentrate on their core competency—delivering exceptional patient care.
16. TherapyNotes, LLC
TherapyNotes is a unique online practice management system tailored specifically for behavioral health, encompassing a comprehensive range of features, including robust notes, scheduling, and billing capabilities. Setting itself apart from other practice management systems, the company excels in its notes system, providing an intuitive form-filled approach that significantly accelerates data entry and note-writing processes. Furthermore, the platform offers a dynamic 'to-do' list that automates task management, guiding clinicians on necessary actions such as post-session note writing, contacting primary care physicians when necessary, and scheduling treatment plan updates.
17. SimplePractice
SimplePractice is an all-in-one practice management solution that serves private practices in the health and wellness sector. With a remarkable customer base of over 169,000 practitioners, the company has established itself as the leading EHR provider. This comprehensive platform empowers practitioners to efficiently manage their businesses with various powerful features, including autoPay, online booking, telehealth capabilities, and customizable documentation and notes. Through SimplePractice, practitioners can efficiently optimize their workflows, resulting in significant time savings.
18. eMDs
eMDs, a brand of CompuGroup Medical, stands as a prominent provider of comprehensive solutions designed to promote the well-being of both patients and healthcare providers. With a strong focus on integration and connectivity, the company offers a range of solutions, including EHRs, practice management software, RCM, and credentialing services tailored for physician practices and enterprises. CompuGroup Medical understands the unique needs of healthcare professionals and strives to deliver software solutions that enhance physician productivity and elevate the overall clinical experience. EHR companies, such as this one, demonstrate their commitment to excellence through the accolades they receive, with eMDs software consistently earning top rankings in respected physician and industry surveys conducted by prestigious organizations.
19. The Echo Group
The Echo Group is recognized as a leading developer and implementer of enterprise-grade software solutions exclusively designed for behavioral health organizations across the United States. The company's suite of tools includes visual EHRs, government reporting and compliance features, clinical and financial decision support functionalities, as well as medical and government billing capabilities. The company provides flexible solutions for managed care organizations with both self-hosted and SaaS deployment options. It offers additional services such as RCM, IT support, fiscal and clinical process workflow analysis.
20. MD Synergy Solutions
MD Synergy Solutions is a renowned provider of integrated solutions for medical offices, utilizing its advanced cloud-based technology and innovative RCM services. The company's technology platform encompasses EMR, PM, and patient portals, enabling seamless operations within medical practices. Using proprietary rule engine technology, MD Synergy Solutions delivers exceptional RCM service through its WorkQueues. The company's comprehensive offering caters to small-to-large physician practices, offering easily implementable and adaptable cloud-based software solutions.
21. Pulse Systems, Inc.
Pulse, a reputable RCM company, offers advanced medical billing services and cutting-edge technologies to facilitate payment processes, streamline workflow, and enhance patient care delivery for physicians. Renowned as a leading SaaS and mobile solutions provider, Pulse offers a comprehensive suite of integrated EHR, PM, population health, electronic prescription, medical billing clearinghouse, patient engagement, and payment technologies to physicians, medical service providers, and patients alike. With a broad user base encompassing thousands of providers across over 40 specialties, Pulse ensures that its clients achieve optimal financial and clinical outcomes.
22. DocuTAP
DocuTAP is a dynamic health information technology company offering integrated technology solutions to over 3,000 on-demand healthcare practices and primary care clinics nationwide. Renowned for its flagship product, DocuTAP's EMR and Practice Management software, this EHR company uses an innovative workflow optimization approach. Its comprehensive on-demand healthcare solution includes 'Clockwise.MD' patient engagement technology, RCM services, as well as DocuTAP Insight, a powerful business intelligence tool with customizable reports and industry benchmarks.
23. Elation Health
Elation Health is widely recognized as a premier technology platform for primary care that prioritizes delivering exceptional value. With a strong focus on clinical excellence, the company has provided innovative solutions since its establishment in 2010. Elation Health offers a collaborative EHR platform, enabling practices to effectively initiate, expand, communicate, and excel in delivering personalized, top-tier care to their patients. This electronic health record company is committed to supporting primary care clinicians in preserving the art of medicine while adapting to the ever-changing healthcare environment.
24. Net Health
Net Health is a company dedicated to leveraging data to improve human health. Its comprehensive solutions include EHR software and predictive analytics that provide actionable insights for various medical specialties, such as rehab therapy, wound care, home health and hospice, and employee health. Net Health empowers caregivers and organizations to effectively engage with patients, streamline documentation, optimize staffing, ensure appropriate reimbursement, and adhere to regulatory requirements. With its unique approach to analytics, this EHR software company integrates valuable insights into clinical and operational workflows, resulting in improved care quality and enhanced business performance.
25. ChiroTouch
ChiroTouch is widely recognized as a leading provider of cloud-based chiropractic software, offering a fully-integrated EHR solution tailored exclusively for chiropractors. This innovative platform is built from scratch and can be seamlessly accessed from any device at any time, providing chiropractors unparalleled convenience and flexibility. ChiroTouch eliminates the need for multiple vendors by offering a comprehensive system that handles payment processing and insurance claims management, allowing chiropractors to focus on their patients instead of paperwork. The software is designed to be user-friendly and accessible, ensuring a smooth transition for practitioners. The new generation of ChiroTouch is purposefully designed to optimize efficiency in all areas, accommodating various payment methods, including cash and insurance.
In a Nutshell
These top EHR companies will enable medical professionals to benefit from user-friendly interfaces, streamlined workflows, and enhanced clinical decision support, improving patient care and efficiency. Furthermore, the innovations and expertise of these EHR companies have a positive ripple effect, inspiring collaboration and driving advancements across the healthcare ecosystem. By embracing these electronic health record software companies, professionals and EHR companies can harness the power of digital health records to revolutionize healthcare delivery and contribute to the industry's ongoing transformation.
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Health Technology, Digital Healthcare
Article | July 14, 2023
The healthcare industry has become a prime target for cybercriminals in recent times.
According to The State of Ransomware in Healthcare 2023 report from Sophos, six in 10 healthcare organizations have been hit by ransomware in the last 12 months, up from 34% in 2021.
Among this uptick have been several headline-grabbing attacks. For example, Shields Health Care Group became the subject of the single-largest breach affecting any organization globally in April 2023, when 2.3 million patients of the Massachusetts-based medical services provider had their personal data stolen after a cybercriminal gained unauthorized access to the organization’s systems.
Meanwhile, in the UK, a ransomware attack on the University of Manchester occurred in June, affecting an NHS patient data set holding information on 1.1 million patients across 200 hospitals.
Critically, the wealth of data housed in healthcare networks, and the potential impact of data unavailability in healthcare, make the industry both attractive and lucrative to threat actors.
It’s no coincidence that the Sophos report shows the rate of encryption in the healthcare sector is at its highest level in recent years. Of those healthcare organizations which suffered a ransomware attack in 2023, 73% had their data encrypted – up from 61% in 2022. When cybercriminals can successfully take down hospital systems and/or encrypt patient data so it can’t be used, they can blackmail health service providers, demanding significant sums before reinstating systems and/or data availability.
Considering healthcare's critical role as the highest-stake industry in our society, where people's lives depend on its success, the likelihood of attackers achieving their goals is greater than in other sectors, as confirmed by the Sophos report. Indeed, of the 73% of healthcare organizations that had their data encrypted, 42% reported that they paid the requested ransom to recover data.
DSPT and the compliance burden
Without question, the security-related challenges in healthcare are mounting. Right now, industry organizations are operating against a backdrop of unprecedented operational and workforce pressures, spiralling demand for care and industrial action.
Moreover, there is a growing regulatory burden, with organizations continually asked to comply with evolving cybersecurity rules, battling with multiple compliance mandates at any given time.
Take the NHS as an example. According to the 2023 NHS Providers’ Regulation Survey, just over half (52%) of respondents said the regulatory burden on their trust had increased. And this is expected to ramp up further in the future, with the UK government setting out a new 2030 strategy aimed at bolstering cyber resilience in healthcare.
Among the compliance burdens that the NHS faces is the challenge of meeting the requirements of the newly updated Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT).
Mandated to minimize cyber risks and enable healthcare providers to maintain a robust information security posture, the DSPT is not a simple checklist of security controls, but a comprehensive toolkit to evaluate current security maturity and establish a risk management programme.
Indeed, in more recent times, DSPT has moved away from being a guide for achieving certain levels of assurance, and toward a mandatory evidence-based system which demands NHS organizations align with 10 precise National Data Guardian (NDG) standards: 1. The organization assures good management and maintenance of identity and access control for its networks and information systems. 2. The organization closely manages privileged user access to networks and information systems supporting essential services. 3. The organization ensures passwords are suitable for the information being protected. 4. Process reviews are held at least once a year where data security is put at risk and following security incidents. 5. Action is taken to address problems as a result of feedback at meetings. 6. All user devices are subject to anti-virus protections, while email services benefit from spam filtering and protection deployed at the corporate gateway. 7. Action is taken on known vulnerabilities based on advice from NHS Digital, and lessons are learned from previous incidents and near misses. 8. The organization has a defined, planned and communicated response to data security incidents impacting sensitive information or key operational services. 9. The organization has demonstrable confidence in the effectiveness of the security of technology, people, and processes relevant to essential services. 10. The organization securely configures the network and information systems that support the delivery of essential services.
Reducing Compliance Challenges with the Right Solutions
Taken individually, these standards may not seem too strenuous to adhere to. However, to be compliant with DSPT, all 10 items need to be completed and deemed ‘satisfactory’.
To tick all 10 key boxes in the most effective and efficient manner simultaneously, organizations should consider their strategy carefully. This could involve embracing supportive tools to accelerate and enhance their compliance journey.
Boiled down, DSPT demands several key things, including unincumbered visibility of the entire ecosystem, as well as the ability to demonstrate secure access, logs and storage, and essential auditing processes to maintain data security.
Achieving these things might appear complicated, even daunting. However, there are solutions known as Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems on the market that can make achieving these capabilities, and in turn DSPT compliance, easy.
Here, we outline some of the key features to look out for to meet compliance: • Log retention: A modern SIEM should be able to provide a centralized log storage and big data platform that scales to any organization’s size. Platforms should be able to provide role-based access to log data, including ‘data privacy’ functionality that can mask sensitive data until approved. Log data should not be modified or removed by users once ingested into the platform, while all data held should also be indexed and fully searchable. • Identifying and disabling unnecessary accounts: A good SIEM will also provide account auditing facilities for Active Directory that allow administrators to quickly identify dormant accounts. They should also be able to remove privileged user access when no longer required or appropriate. More sophisticated platforms will be able to do this in an automated manner. • Easy identification of issues: Clear and easily readable dashboards, alerts and reports for user logging activity should be provided, including failed login, apparent brute-force attempts, and bad password management practices. Further, those using machine learning will be able to identify unusual behavior patterns based on a baseline of activities of users and their peer group. • Integrate with third-party threat feeds: It will also be able to integrate with a wide variety of third-party threat feeds that provide information about specific known threat payloads/hashes and destination domains/addresses.
Meeting the mandate
Of course, having the right features in place is only part of the puzzle. For organizations to be truly successful in embracing tools that enable them to meet DSPT compliance more effectively, they should work to ensure that solutions providers offer them ongoing support – both in terms of ease of deployment and to ensure that they are using key systems in an optimal manner.
Scalability is another important aspect to consider.
Systems should be able to scale and continue to support the organization as data volumes increase and become more complex over time.
In respect of scalability, organizations should take time to think about pricing models, ensuring that these are based on the number of devices (nodes). In doing so, it will become easier to accurately budget future costs, as well as provide greater budgeting certainty over the short, medium and longer term.
A converged SIEM allows organizations to prioritize the big picture over individual tools, enabling them to develop a seamless and easy to use security operations setup. Not only does this approach boost cost transparency and eliminate potential complexities with managing a variety of siloed products – equally, it reduces the burdens on security teams, eliminating complexities over system integration and enhancing performance.
A converged SIEM combines key technologies easily to offer improved security outcomes. In doing so, organizations can easily home in on specific standards and adopt security best practices while reducing the burden on security teams tasked with meeting DSPT compliance.
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Article | February 4, 2021
It is not an easy task to engage decision-makers in hospitals, insurance providers, health systems, and private practices. These high-powered directors, managers, and executives are busier than ever. This makes the process of health tech marketing difficult. Apart from overwhelming job responsibilities, these healthcare professionals are also inundated with ads, emails, and phone calls. So rather than sending them messages randomly, it is important to help your prospects when they are free from their daily disruptions and have time.
Inbound marketing, a new form of marketing, lays out various effective healthcare marketing techniques, tricks, or tactics. These health tech marketing techniques or methodologies are helpful in the three stages of your health tech client journey:
Awareness Stage: This is the stage where they do not know they have a problem, but you make them aware of the fact that they have a problem.
Consideration Stage: In this stage, they are aware that they have a problem and consider finding a solution from you or your competitor.
Decision Stage: This is the final stage, where prospects make a decision.
Here are some effective health tech marketing techniques to engage new health tech marketing prospects online all through these stages.
Offer Entertaining and Informative Blog Content
Content is king. Roper Public Affairs, in their research report, say that around 80% of B2B decision-makers prefer to gather information from articles and blogs over ads. According to the research done by HubSpot, companies that publish blogs frequently get 4.5x more leads. Engage your health tech prospects with regular content that can address their interests and the problems they face.
However, it is a mistake to focus only on your health tech company’s benefits, features, or sales pitches in your blogs. This may make your prospects think you are just after their money. One of the best health tech marketing techniques to engage your prospects online is to provide answers to the challenges they face.
You can even ask and encourage your clients to contribute success stories or guest posts. These posts will have more value and the chances of them being shared are high. It is also better to create a strategy to make sure the health tech marketing content you make is valuable and relevant to your potential clients.
Encourage Social Media Feedback and Blog Comments
Providing great and prospect oriented health tech marketing content is just the beginning. You can solicit reactions from your audience. Asking questions at the end of blogs and social media health tech messages is a great way to collect reactions from the audience. It is good to thank them for responding when they leave a comment. Also, give them a comprehensive answer.
This will help build your credibility and make the clients come back. Sometimes, you may get spam comments, which are not connected to your post. Weed them out to make all comments relevant to the post. This health tech marketing technique will make your potential clients stay engaged in what you post online.
Host Google Hangouts or Webinars
People love being visually engaged. So, webinars or Google Hangouts are powerful tools that allow real-time interaction with your customers. This helps you to establish a personal connection with your potential clients through video or audio. Various visual aspects, including slides, graphics, and live videos, make it easier for you to share your content with customers.
Being an interactive health tech marketing technique, at the end of webinar sessions or Google hangout, you can have a Q and A session to clarify any questions from the clients. Compared to merely writing blog posts and articles, this, as a two-way dialogue, and will help you a lot in building a strong relationship with your clients.
Create a Group or Community
One of the best health tech marketing techniques to engage new customers is to interact in online forums and communities. Your buyers can get added to your members-only group automatically and then these members can socialize with each other and discuss healthcare technology.
These forums can be used to share content that is not available to the public. To the members, you can also offer various discounts and special pricing. Your customers, being part of such a group, will feel special and increase the possibility of a repeat purchase.
Co-Create with Existing Customers
If you are planning to write an e-book, improve your website, or launch a new product, involve your existing customers by getting suggestions from them. For fostering loyalty, depending on the situation, it is very effective to make your customers involved in major decision-making processes. They will feel proud that they participated, at the end of the process.
This health tech marketing technique may even allow you to hold a contest to select an idea from your customers for your next design and offer rewards for the one which is selected. Rewards can be a special mention on your website, a discount, or a freebie.
Celebrate Together!
Another great health-tech marketing technique to build stronger relationships with your customers is to celebrate milestones with them. Any achievement, small or big, can be a milestone. Even, achieving an award for attaining a certain number of followers can be a milestone. Sharing such moments of success with your customers and social media followers may make them feel like they are part of your business and success.
It is also a good idea to give them a discount offer. Also, recognizing the success of your clients and featuring them will establish a good relationship with customers.
Monitor Social Media
The best place to engage your clients in conversations about your products and industry is social media. Selecting a topic that is trending in your industry may be a hot cake for you to have the conversation on your social media platforms. Tracking trending topics related to your industry will always give you an insight for your next blog post and social media posts.
By sharing, liking, and providing answers you can also take part in conversations. This will make you an authority and customers will feel good about your credibility. As a health tech marketing technique, monitoring social media will make you gain the trust of the customers and build your brand gradually but successfully.
Build a List of Leads and Nurture them
Email marketing, as a health tech marketing technique, is a very effective strategy to nurture B2B customer relationships. According to HubSpot, for business communication, 86% of people prefer emails. You will be in the minds of potential customers through your value-packed and attractive emails. They will remember you when they identify a requirement.
Through your emails, you can update and educate your potential customers about relevant topics and trends related to the health tech industry. A newsletter in a week will be fair enough to keep them engaged and updated about your brand and industry.
Summing up
The key to generating more qualified leads and increasing your brand recognition is engaging new prospects tough new and innovative health tech marketing techniques. This will make your sales team’s job easier; they can convert these leads into customers. The above-listed health tech marketing techniques to engage with your prospects can be effectively used with your well-crafted Inbound marketing strategy.
Doing all of these alone can be very challenging. We, at Media7, partner with healthcare technology companies and healthcare tech marketers to offer support, strategy, and extending help to implement these activities. Through the collaboration, we help health tech companies to attract more visitors to their websites, generate leads, convert, and make them your happy customers. For more details of our services, visit our website: https://media7.com/
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a health tech marketing strategy?
Health tech marketing strategy is a part of an inbound marketing process for marketing healthcare tech products. It uses resources that can trace various opportunities through lead generation and branding, and overcome threats of healthcare businesses, which is highly competitive.
What is the best health tech marketing technique?
The best health tech marketing technique is to generate leads through various content forms. Health tech Content marketing helps create awareness about the product and attract clients to it. Different forms of content can include blogs, articles, press releases, newsletters, and much more.
Where to start when creating your healthcare marketing strategy
The best way to start when creating your healthcare marketing strategy is to set your goals. This is because the success of your healthcare marketing strategy depends upon the goal you set for yourself when you start the business and the marketing for it.
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