Healthcare IT solutions - what to consider when consulting service providers

At the end of March, we attended the 5th edition of HealthTech Summit 2023. It is a global conference on cross-over innovation in healthcare. There, we exchanged insights with other experts in the healthcare technology space.

The 3-day conference brought many people together. Healthcare professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors all took part. They came from medtech, biotech, digital health, and patient care. Together they discussed the latest trends, challenges, and advances in healthtech.

This meeting sat at the crossroads of healthcare innovation. It let us connect with others who share our passion for using technology to improve patient care. It also gave us a clearer view of the field. We saw the most common challenges and the pressing issues that experts, entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors want to solve.

Now we want to offer guidance to those navigating this complex industry. To do that, we first need to uncover the main challenges. We also need to name the key factors that healthcare organizations and entrepreneurs should weigh. This matters when they seek IT solutions or partners for innovation.

We spoke with many people in the field. They included national and international experts in medTech, biotech, digital health, and patient care. From these talks, we identified three challenges we want to share.

• finding experienced professionals in the field

The biggest challenge in healthtech is finding experienced professionals. Building, deploying, and maintaining healthcare IT solutions takes special technical knowledge. Healthcare organizations often struggle to find qualified specialists for this work.

• navigating healthcare regulations such as HIPAA compliance

Regulations are a major obstacle too. Rules like HIPAA shape how you build and deploy healthcare IT solutions. Entrepreneurs must know these rules well. That way their solutions meet legal requirements and avoid legal trouble.

• staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements

The COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn sped up healthcare innovation. The biggest lesson of the past two years is clear. The healthcare sector can innovate fast. We saw this in the quick adoption of virtual care, and in the unusual collaboration among market players.

Providers, health plans, and tech firms keep pushing healthcare forward. As the sector grows, it gets harder to keep up with the newest advances.

Now that we know the major problems, let’s explore possible solutions.

Finding experienced professionals in the field

Healthcare organizations often have bold ideas. But they may lack the IT expertise to build and manage the right solutions.

Working with software service providers who specialize in healthcare IT can bridge that gap. The right partner helps you deploy the technology successfully.

Here’s what to look for when choosing a software development service provider for healthcare IT solutions:

• The provider's technical expertise and capabilities:

Your technical partner should know the healthcare industry deeply. They should understand its unique technology needs. They should also have experience building and deploying healthcare IT solutions. That includes electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine platforms, and patient portals.

A good partner also needs a strong quality assurance and testing process. This ensures their solutions meet industry standards and stay free of technical glitches.

• Record of past experiences:

Your chosen vendor should have a solid track record. They should have delivered high-quality healthcare IT solutions that meet the needs of organizations and their patients.

A well-established provider with a diverse portfolio can offer a wide range of solutions. A varied portfolio also shows they stay current with the latest industry trends and technologies.

Navigating healthcare regulations

Healthcare regulations are complex. Rules like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) demand strict compliance. This protects patient privacy and security. Software service providers must show they understand these rules. They must also show how their solutions comply.

Take HIPAA as an example. It sets national standards for the privacy and security of individually identifiable health information. Any provider that works with protected health information (PHI) must be HIPAA-compliant. This keeps patient information private and secure. So a potential partner must understand HIPAA requirements and have a record of meeting them.

A provider can show HIPAA compliance in practice. One way is to host their applications and data in secure data centers that meet or exceed HIPAA requirements.

A practical example is ISO certifications. ISO/IEC 27001 is an international standard. It outlines best practices for information security management systems (ISMS). The standard sets the requirements for building, running, maintaining, and improving an organization's ISMS.

ISO/IEC 27001 certification confirms strong security controls. That covers physical and logical access controls, incident management, business continuity, and disaster recovery. So this certification is a useful way for a provider to prove they run secure data centers that comply with HIPAA.

When evaluating partners, healthcare organizations can ask for proof of ISO/IEC 27001 certification. This shows the provider has effective security controls to protect sensitive patient data. It gives extra confidence that they keep client data in a secure environment.

Staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements

A software service provider should keep up with the latest technology. They should offer innovative solutions for evolving healthcare needs. For example, they should know emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and blockchain. They should also understand how these tools can improve patient care and streamline operations.

Another point matters too. Check whether the provider gives back to the community and engages with industry topics. Active participation in the healthcare technology community is valuable. It lets companies share knowledge and insights. It also helps them stay current and build a strong professional network.

Engaged companies make a positive impact. They raise awareness of key issues and create space for open discussion. This can lead to innovative solutions that address industry challenges and improve patient care. In short, companies that contribute to the community help advance the industry and healthcare as a whole.

Source: Our Business Development Manager, Laszlo, speaking at the Romanian HealthTech Startups 2023, Bucharest.

Conclusions

Healthcare IT solutions are essential. They improve patient care and transform the healthcare industry. But building and deploying them brings unique challenges. Healthcare organizations and entrepreneurs must weigh these carefully. They need to find experienced professionals, navigate rules like HIPAA, and stay current with new technology, among other things.

Consulting with software service providers who specialize in healthcare IT can bridge the gap. They help ensure the technology is deployed successfully. By weighing these factors and seeking expert guidance, healthcare organizations and entrepreneurs can make informed decisions. In turn, they can provide better care for their patients.