Like when a large corporation puts off updating its servers, a healthcare organization can fall prey to the temptation to not work on healthcare software development projects. However, it is necessary to make regular improvements to your software to ensure that your organization can successfully serve patients.
There is also the need to remain compliant with stringent federal regulations, such as the HITECH Act. Maintaining and securing electronic health records (EHRs) should be a priority for any healthcare organization, and new IT and software can make this task much easier.
But the process of updating these EHR databases and other systems can be daunting. It's helpful to identify what factors are holding back your organization from making these necessary improvements. You just might find that they can be resolved with the right assistance.
Skillset Issues
The IT team at any healthcare organization may be unable to handle a planned healthcare software development project. The software that your staff needs might require a different skill set, such as expert knowledge of artificial intelligence applications or setting up secure data encryption.
In these cases, outside healthcare IT consultants can be a valuable resource. These experts have deep knowledge that healthcare organizations can rely on to implement new technologies while remaining compliant with federal regulations. The skills will vary depending on what your organization requires, but you can find that healthcare consultancies can provide:
- Custom software
- Q&A services
- Operational assessments
- Technology/hardware sourcing
- Staff augmentation/support
- Skills training
Time Crunch
Most existing IT departments and healthcare admins simply don't have the time to research new software, let alone develop and integrate it into their systems. Third-party consultants can handle the extra work needed to find appropriate software that meets healthcare provider needs.
An IT consultancy can do many of the tasks involved in planning new healthcare software development and implementing it. These time-consuming chores include:
- Performing assessments of existing operating systems and software to look for opportunities to improve
- Creating an itemized list of what is needed to implement technology updates across your organization
- Working with you to develop a budget for an IT project
- Creating tailored software and testing it with onsite pilot projects to ensure effectiveness
- Implementing new software across your entire healthcare organization
- Providing in-depth training to staff in the use of new healthcare technologies
Lack of Guidance
It's difficult to see the path forward when trying to update a legacy system or even implement a small change in daily operations. Administrators can find themselves at a loss when it comes to guiding their staff through the software development process.
Healthcare IT consultancies have trained and experienced specialists available to lay the groundwork for your new software implementation. From managing mixed teams of staff and outside IT consultants to establishing a project schedule, these experts will keep your updates moving along at a swift pace.
There are other benefits to having an IT consultancy manage your software development project:
- Outside healthcare consultants have experience overseeing software development.
- The right agency will provide management and IT staff to augment your team.
- You don't have to worry about the hiring process of finding a specialist with managerial training.
- Healthcare consultancies have connections within the industry to easily source staff, hardware, and software.
Budgetary Concerns
The cost of healthcare software development can run upward of half a million dollars, which is a big investment for hospitals, let alone a doctor's office or nursing home. Concern about the expense of installing new healthcare software can hold many healthcare providers hostage.
Fortunately, it's possible to tailor healthcare IT updates to fit within your budget. Many healthcare IT consultancies can find ways to meet the needs of their clients within projects of all types. It's possible to upscale or downscale a project’s scope at a moment's notice.
There are other ways that a healthcare IT consultancy can help trim the budget:
- Third-party consultants can create detailed estimates showing hardware and software costs within a desired budget.
- Healthcare IT consultants are experienced at updating software, so they work quickly and efficiently.
- Healthcare IT companies can source pre-existing software and hardware that require minimal changes to implement.
- After implementation, IT consultants provide staff training to reduce the need for ongoing IT support.
When to Hire Healthcare Software Development Specialists
If your healthcare organization is struggling to implement new technology or software, consider seeking outside support. A healthcare IT consultancy can help your existing team overcome hurdles in healthcare software development. It's also possible to complete projects at a faster pace and within a smaller budget than expected.
Here at OtterSoft, we help healthcare technology providers drive innovation and integrate smoothly with legacy systems to keep things in motion, address the challenges of healthcare innovation, and seamlessly sync information. To see how we can help you overcome the challenges of healthcare innovation, contact us today!
