Legacy IT infrastructures and systems are yet another challenge that hampers the effective digitization of healthcare. Most of the innovative solutions and apps for healthcare are using artificial intelligence and big data analytics, which are resource-intensive and require a robust IT infrastructure. They must also integrate with existing systems and software to deliver efficiency from the business and clinical standpoint.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at the challenges that stand in the way of legacy systems upgrade, and discuss the existing approaches to modernization.
What is a legacy system?
A common misconception about a legacy system is that it is, necessarily, an old and outdated one. In reality, though, even a relatively new solution that fails to fulfill the needs of an organization can be defined by the term ‘legacy system’.
Here’s how you can tell if you are using legacy systems in your healthcare practice:
- You have to carry out a lot of processes manually
- Your system can’t process multiple types of data
- You are experiencing latency issues: completing certain processes takes too long because of poor integration and data interchange between systems
- Obvious lack of transparency of data flows
- Error resolution is flawed and incomplete
- Security issues
- Inability to run big data apps
- Expensive and complicated IT infrastructure management
If you need reasons for upgrading your legacy systems – apart from the ability to benefit from AI and big data – consider enhanced performance and agility, better scalability because of partial cloud shift, and security. Last but not least – legacy systems upgrade will minimize the costs of infrastructure maintenance and reduce expenses.
Challenges in Modernizing Legacy Systems
As healthcare organizations strive to migrate from legacy systems, a number of issues may catch them unprepared. Below are some of the common obstacles that frequently get in the way of a legacy system’s refreshing and complicate their upgrade.
Integration issues
Normally, most healthcare companies can’t afford a complete and simultaneous upgrade of all their hardware and software, so they have to merge the components of the new system with elements of the legacy one. This, as well as maintaining the seamless flow of all the organization’s processes during the system’s integration, can be highly challenging.
Non-disruptive operations
With doctors working on overpacked schedules, clinics and standalone practitioners can accept only zero downtime, even for the implementation of potentially beneficial solutions meant to reduce manual entry and administrative workload. Legacy system’s upgrade, on the other hand, may cause disruptions to the established workflow and processes. Minimizing these disruptions during the shift to new systems can become a real challenge.
Ensuring data security and avoiding data loss
Another challenge is avoiding data loss during its transfer to a new system. Healthcare organizations are bound by the HIPAA regulation to ensure top-notch data security, and preventing the loss or theft of patients’ data during transfer is another major concern.
Employee support and understanding
Most people tend to find the need to change their routines uncomfortable. Even if the changes are potentially beneficial, your clinical and administrative personnel may resist changes in an active or passive manner.
Expenses
It’s no secret that the legacy system’s upgrade requires investments. Usually, though, it can be carried out gradually, so an organization won’t have to handle all the expenses at once. Yet, some careful planning will be necessary to ensure that the technological upgrade won’t be taking a heavy toll on an organization’s budget.
Bridging the Legacy Systems Challenge
Although legacy systems upgrade can be challenging, it’s not entirely unapproachable. Many organizations have developed best practices in shifting to new technological solutions. In general, the steps to upgrading legacy systems include:
Assessment
Assessing the state of your legacy systems will involve a realistic evaluation of whether or not your software meets your current needs and will suit your future requirements.
Deciding on your system’s modernization strategy
There are several strategies you can choose from:
– Migration and enhancement – moving part of your operations to the cloud and upgrading the remaining elements of your local infrastructure.
– Growth and improvement – improving some minor system features and planning for future growth.
– Rebuilding your software – retaining the core features of your software and including additional modules and integrations.
– Complete replacement – replacing your existing software with new solutions – either existing or custom-made.
Choosing a tech stack
Now that you have your business needs and upgrade strategy figured out, it’s time to decide on the ultimate tech stack. The apps based on AI and big data need vast storage, network, and computing capacities and the ability to scale on demand. As a healthcare company, you can move your non-critical operations to the cloud, while using your on-prem infrastructure resources for the core clinical and administrative processes.
Setting up a ‘retirement’ plan
You will eventually discontinue using your legacy apps and infrastructure, but will still need some of its components during the implementation of a new system. Have a step-by-step ‘retirement’ plan at hand, just in case.
Help your personnel embrace changes
Getting comfortable with using the new system will take time. A good way of facilitating and accelerating the legacy system’s upgrade is training your personnel on how to use new solutions.
Consider future upgrades
Last but not least – ensure that you are future-ready by planning for the upcoming upgrades, that will inevitably involve the system’s downtime.
Final thoughts
Technological advancements develop exponentially nowadays, so it makes perfect sense for healthcare organizations to prepare for a continuous cycle of upgrades and innovations. Shifting from outdated systems and implementing new-gen software and infrastructure solutions requires careful planning and a solid knowledge base. Assistance from a third party with proven expertise in building and implementing solutions for the healthcare industry could help healthcare practitioners meet the legacy systems challenge.
A reliable tech partnership, with this respect, can lay the groundwork for successful healthcare digitization.
Read also: Digitizing Healthcare: Why Does It Take So Long
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