Choosing a Managed IT Service for Elderly Care
In recent years, Homestyle, an aged care provider operating in communities in Melbourne and Geelong, has faced the enormous task of meeting the dual demands of sector reform and adapting to the global pandemic.
In 2021, the Royal Commission on Aged Care published its report calling for the digitalisation of the aged care sector. lagging behind in the use of modern technologies. This includes the use of digital and remote technologies, the uptake of which has accelerated since social restrictions were introduced.
To fulfill this calling, Homestyle started a digital transformation towards a hybrid IT ecosystem.
“Homestyle (chose) to run a low touch or hybrid IT department. That means we have outsourced some of our requirements to third parties. This includes WAN, managed services, engineering, network and cyber support. We keep the operations and analytics in-house,” CIO Peter Gunn said. Healthcare IT News.
The IT ecosystem is supported by a managed service operated by a single provider, consolidating end-user support across all employees, home users and the support office.
“We use Interactive (a local IT service provider) for helpdesk, network support, engineering, cyber and some project work.”
This also includes on-premises support, as well as support for cloud migration and regulatory alignment, which the federal commission placed a strong emphasis on.
One or more providers?
Homestyle has been providing care for thirty years through ten homes with over a thousand and a half staff. Homestyle’s philosophy is: ‘holistic residential elderly care in an environment full of care, compassion and respect’.
To free up time that could be better spent delivering core activities, the organization’s solution was to outsource managed IT services.
“The goal is to provide Homestyle with a responsive support mechanism that enables the 24/7 operation to function optimally, providing our staff and the residents we care for the best possible outcomes,” Gunn shared.
Regardless of whether it involves one or more providers, compatibility is paramount, at least for Homestyle, when offering managed IT services.
“Outsourcing IT service management to a single (provider) can benefit aged care providers in Australia by centralising operations, reducing costs, improving data security, ensuring regulatory compliance and providing 24/7 support. It allows aged care providers to focus on core services while having access to specialist IT expertise.”
Peter Gunn, CIO, Homestyle
“However, there are risks such as vendor lock-in, service gaps and dependency on a single provider. Choosing the right managed IT services partner is the biggest challenge. Ensuring the provider understands the needs of senior care, has strong service level agreements and considers a hybrid approach can mitigate risk and provide greater flexibility.”
In their digital evolution, Gunn said, they never neglect cybersecurity, especially in times when breaches and hacks are becoming more common. more advanced and targeted.
“Homestyle continues to invest in data and cybersecurity to ensure our environment is stable and protected. We focus on improving our data security through enhanced security protocols, encryption and monitoring to reduce the risk of breaches, and protect both the organization’s intellectual property and resident information. Continuous assessment and monitoring of our security posture enables Homestyle to build trust in our systems and ensure regulatory compliance.”