Like all industries, the medical services and healthcare industry was hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic. As healthcare-oriented businesses struggle to return to normal, providers are turning to technology to help speed care and increase the quality of the patient experience.
Technology has supported the move to virtual care and telemedicine, a trend that is still extant in the post-COVID environment. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning has moved to the forefront, reaching every aspect of business, from predictive analytics for office equipment like printers and copiers to assisting in the reading of medical imaging. Finally, digitizing the employee and patient experience has been important in helping to maximize resources for both offices and the customers they serve.
Regardless of advances, most medical offices are still heavily reliant on printers, copiers, fax machines, and scanners to bring high-quality care to patients. Today’s versions of these machines are often built with a focus on data privacy and security, making many of them HIPAA-compliant — a perfect addition to the busy healthcare business.
Bring the Right Office Technology to Your Healthcare Organization
Like most businesses, healthcare providers must keep a close eye on bottom-line concerns to ensure business profitability and longevity. But they must also stay compliant with a series of ever-evolving data privacy regulations to ensure client or patient records remain secure and confidential. Having the right technology in place is critical for business success and risk management.
Here are some things to consider when choosing basic office equipment such as printers, copiers, and other devices:
What Kind of Functionality Do You Need?
Your office may be large enough to warrant the purchase of a standalone printer, copier, fax machine, and scanner. But smaller medical offices or those with cramped quarters may wish to opt for a multifunction printer (MFP) that can do the work of all those machines while offering a single, smaller, space-saving footprint. Discuss the needs and challenges your office staff are facing and decide which of these options can bring you the functionality you need.
Does Your Equipment Have Built-in Security?
As we mentioned, staying compliant with evolving data protection regulation is a requirement for medical offices. Your printer or other office equipment should be equipped with built-in security features to assist you in this. For example, many printers have “follow me” or “pull” printing. This feature allow staff to print to any machine, which will hold the print in the queue until the authorized person arrives at the machine to collect it. Medical staff can even use their identification badges to access their prints. Access can be easily assigned — or retracted — depending on employee needs and administrator assessments.
Can You Gain Insight into Usage and Productivity?
You will want to invest in equipment that can help you gain insight into who is using it, and how often. Not only do these insights allow you to track access, which can be important for compliance with data privacy rules, but it can also help you determine new ways to save money. For example, underutilized machines can be moved to areas that need more access or removed altogether to reduce overall expenses. Machines receiving heavy use can be rightsized to add functionality, speed, or features to increase productivity and efficiency.
Doing Better Business Has the Right Office Technology for Your Team
Most medical offices are a hive of activity, with staff members often responsible for more than one job and staff frustration — and turnover — often runs high. For that reason, you need office technology in place that is functional, reliable, and cost-effective. Keeping high-functioning equipment in place can speed up non-nursing tasks and help your staff become more efficient, providing not only a level of job satisfaction for them, but a higher level of care for your patients.
At Doing Better Business, we offer a complete suite of office technology and equipment. From standalone printers, copiers, fax machines, and scanners for leaders in print and imaging technologies to reliable service, maintenance, and troubleshooting, we have everything you need to outfit your busy medical office for success.
Get your medical office team the equipment they deserve at a price you can afford. Contact a representative from Doing Better Business and explore our wide range of office technology and services.