Does Your Healthcare Organization Need Co-Managed IT?

As healthcare organizations become more reliant on technology to improve patient outcomes, optimize operations, and increase profitability, IT management has become more complex and challenging. As a result, many healthcare organizations are turning to co-managed IT services to augment their in-house IT teams and improve their technology infrastructure.

In this article, we will explore the concept of co-managed IT and discuss whether your healthcare organization needs it. We will cover the following topics:

1. What is co-managed IT?
2. Benefits of co-managed IT for healthcare organizations
3. How to determine if your healthcare organization needs co-managed IT
4. Factors to consider when selecting a co-managed IT provider
5. Best practices for successful co-managed IT implementation
6. Examples of successful co-managed IT partnerships in healthcare
7. Co-managed IT vs. fully outsourced IT: which is right for your healthcare organization?
8. Common challenges in co-managed IT partnerships and how to overcome them
9. Key considerations for negotiating co-managed IT contracts
10. Risks associated with co-managed IT and how to mitigate them
11. How to measure the success of co-managed IT partnerships
12. Future trends in co-managed IT for healthcare organizations
13. Case studies of healthcare organizations that have implemented co-managed IT
14. Frequently asked questions about co-managed IT in healthcare
15. Conclusion: Is co-managed IT right for your healthcare organization?

1. What is co-managed IT?

Co-managed IT is an IT management model in which an external IT service provider works alongside an organization’s internal IT team to manage and support its technology infrastructure. Unlike fully outsourced IT, in which an external provider takes complete responsibility for an organization’s IT operations, co-managed IT is a collaborative approach that allows an organization to retain some control over its IT strategy and operations while benefiting from the expertise and resources of an external provider.

2. Benefits of co-managed IT for healthcare organizations

There are several benefits of co-managed IT for healthcare organizations, including:

• Improved IT performance: Co-managed IT allows an organization to leverage the expertise and resources of an external provider to optimize its technology infrastructure and improve IT performance.
• Increased security: A co-managed IT provider can help healthcare organizations implement robust security measures to protect sensitive patient data and comply with regulatory requirements.
• Scalability: Co-managed IT can provide healthcare organizations with the flexibility to scale their IT infrastructure up or down as needed to support changes in patient volumes, operations, or technology.
• Cost savings: Co-managed IT can be a cost-effective alternative to fully outsourced IT, as it allows organizations to retain some control over their IT operations while benefiting from the expertise and resources of an external provider.
• Enhanced innovation: Co-managed IT providers can help healthcare organizations stay up to date with the latest technology trends and innovations, enabling them to improve patient care, streamline operations, and drive growth.

3. How to determine if your healthcare organization needs co-managed IT

Determining whether your healthcare organization needs co-managed IT requires a careful assessment of your IT infrastructure, staffing, and business objectives. Consider the following factors:

• IT staffing: Do you have a dedicated IT team in-house, or are IT responsibilities distributed among staff members with other primary roles? If you have a small or understaffed IT team, co-managed IT may be a good option to augment your team’s capabilities.
• Technology complexity: Does your organization have a complex technology infrastructure that requires specialized expertise to manage? If so, co-managed IT may be a good option to ensure that your IT operations are properly supported.
• Business objectives: What are your
• business objectives for the next 1-5 years? Do they involve significant changes to your IT infrastructure or operations? If so, co-managed IT may be a good option to ensure that your IT strategy aligns with your business objectives.
• Compliance requirements: Do you operate in a highly regulated industry, such as healthcare, that requires strict adherence to IT security and privacy standards? If so, co-managed IT may be a good option to ensure that you remain in compliance and avoid costly regulatory penalties.

4. Factors to consider when selecting a co-managed IT provider

When selecting a co-managed IT provider, consider the following factors:

• Expertise: Does the provider have expertise in healthcare IT, including HIPAA compliance, EHR systems, and other healthcare-specific applications?
• Service level agreements: What are the provider’s service level agreements (SLAs) for response times, uptime, and other key performance indicators?
• Scalability: Can the provider scale its services up or down as your organization’s IT needs change?
• Cost: How does the provider’s pricing model compare to other co-managed IT providers and fully outsourced IT providers?
• Cultural fit: Does the provider’s culture align with your organization’s values and goals?
• References: Can the provider provide references from other healthcare organizations that have used its co-managed IT services?

5. Best practices for successful co-managed IT implementation

To ensure a successful co-managed IT implementation, consider the following best practices:

• Define clear roles and responsibilities: Establish clear roles and responsibilities for both your internal IT team and the co-managed IT provider to ensure that everyone understands their respective roles in managing your IT infrastructure.
• Develop a comprehensive service level agreement: Develop a comprehensive SLA that outlines the provider’s responsibilities, response times, and performance metrics to ensure that you receive the level of service you need to support your operations.
• Foster open communication: Foster open communication between your internal IT team and the co-managed IT provider to ensure that issues are addressed promptly and effectively.
• Develop a comprehensive onboarding plan: Develop a comprehensive onboarding plan that includes training, documentation, and knowledge transfer to ensure that the co-managed IT provider has the information it needs to support your IT infrastructure.
• Establish regular performance reviews: Establish regular performance reviews to monitor the co-managed IT provider’s performance against SLAs and address any issues that arise.

6. Examples of successful co-managed IT partnerships in healthcare

There are many examples of successful co-managed IT partnerships in healthcare. For example, the University of Kansas Health System partnered with an external IT service provider to improve its IT operations and enhance its cybersecurity posture. The co-managed IT provider helped the health system implement new security measures, including two-factor authentication and email encryption, and provided additional expertise to support the health system’s in-house IT team.

7. Co-managed IT vs. fully outsourced IT: which is right for your healthcare organization?

Co-managed IT and fully outsourced IT are both valid options for healthcare organizations, but the right choice depends on your organization’s specific needs and goals. Co-managed IT may be a good option if you want to retain some control over your IT operations while benefiting from the expertise and resources of an external provider. Fully outsourced IT may be a good option if you want to offload all IT responsibilities to an external provider and focus on core business activities.

8. Common challenges in co-managed IT partnerships and how to overcome them

Common challenges in co-managed IT partnerships include communication breakdowns, conflicting priorities, and differing expectations. To overcome these challenges, establish clear roles and responsibilities, foster open communication, and develop a comprehensive SLA that outlines the provider’s responsibilities, response times,

and performance metrics. Additionally, establish regular performance reviews to monitor the co-managed IT provider’s performance against SLAs and address any issues that arise promptly and effectively.

9. Key considerations for negotiating co-managed IT contracts

When negotiating co-managed IT contracts, consider the following key considerations:

• Scope of services: Define the scope of services the co-managed IT provider will deliver, including hardware and software support, security services, and help desk support.
• Service level agreements: Develop a comprehensive SLA that outlines the provider’s responsibilities, response times, and performance metrics to ensure that you receive the level of service you need to support your operations.
• Pricing model: Determine the provider’s pricing model and negotiate pricing terms that align with your budget and business objectives.
• Data security: Define data security measures and procedures to ensure that sensitive patient data is protected and in compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Termination clauses: Define termination clauses that specify the conditions under which either party may terminate the contract and the associated penalties.

10. Risks associated with co-managed IT and how to mitigate them

Risks associated with co-managed IT include data breaches, service interruptions, and contractual disputes. To mitigate these risks, establish clear roles and responsibilities, develop a comprehensive SLA, and define data security measures and procedures. Additionally, establish regular performance reviews to monitor the co-managed IT provider’s performance against SLAs and address any issues that arise promptly and effectively.

11. How to measure the success of co-managed IT partnerships

To measure the success of co-managed IT partnerships, establish key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with your business objectives and monitor the co-managed IT provider’s performance against those KPIs. Common KPIs for co-managed IT partnerships include uptime, response times, and customer satisfaction.

12. Future trends in co-managed IT for healthcare organizations

Future trends in co-managed IT for healthcare organizations include increased adoption of cloud-based services, greater use of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, and more emphasis on data analytics and cybersecurity.

13. Case studies of healthcare organizations that have implemented co-managed IT

There are many case studies of healthcare organizations that have successfully implemented co-managed IT. For example, the University of Vermont Health Network partnered with an external IT service provider to improve its cybersecurity posture and support its transition to a new electronic health record (EHR) system.

14. Frequently asked questions about co-managed IT in healthcare

1. What is co-managed IT?
2. How does co-managed IT differ from fully outsourced IT?
3. What are the benefits of co-managed IT for healthcare organizations?
4. How do I determine if my healthcare organization needs co-managed IT?
5. What factors should I consider when selecting a co-managed IT provider?
6. What are some best practices for successful co-managed IT implementation?
7. What are some common challenges in co-managed IT partnerships?
8. How can I mitigate risks associated with co-managed IT?
9. How do I measure the success of co-managed IT partnerships?
10. What are some future trends in co-managed IT for healthcare organizations?

15. Conclusion: Is co-managed IT right for your healthcare organization?

Co-managed IT can be a valuable option for healthcare organizations looking to improve their IT infrastructure and support their business objectives. However, determining whether co-managed IT is right for your organization requires a careful assessment of your IT infrastructure, staffing, compliance requirements, and business objectives. If you do decide to pursue a co-managed IT partnership, be sure to establish clear roles and responsibilities, develop a comprehensive SLA, foster open communication, and monitor the co-managed IT provider’s performance against key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure that you receive the level of service you need to support your operations. By following best practices for co-managed IT implementation and selecting the right provider, you can improve your IT performance, increase security, achieve cost savings, and drive innovation in your healthcare organization.