subject: Installing Practice Management Software: What Internet Connections Do I Need? [print this page] Before your medical office installs practice management software, you should be sure you meet the hardware needs of the system. This includes not only the computers running the software but the internet connection you will use to communicate with other EMR systems.
Connection Speed
Fast internet connections are inexpensive and there is little reason to opt for less bandwidth than your office needs. Your practice management software needs to communicate easily with systems located in other practices, hospitals and, if you are using e-prescriptions, pharmacies. A slow connection means long waits every time you call up patient information.
When evaluating your bandwidth needs, consider how many computers will be using the connection. In a moderately sized practice, a dozen computers could be using the practice management software simultaneously. A laboratory might have only a few computers using the system but needs to be able to handle inquiries from providers all through the network. Don't forget other internet demands such as email and web access.
Connection Reliability
The reliability of your connection can be measured in two ways: uptime and observed speed. Any time your internet connection fails, your office may grind to a halt. Doctors can't access a patient's lab tests or history with other physicians. E-prescriptions can't be filed. At best this is inconvenient. At worst it endangers the patient's health because the doctor doesn't have complete information.
Another measure of reliability is actual speed observed, particularly during high traffic hours. ISPs oversell their capacity since all users won't be accessing their connections simultaneously. However an ISP that oversells its capacity greatly may find its estimates of available bandwidth to be optimistic. A dedicated T-1 line provides non-shared internet access and guaranteed speed but is far more expensive than a shared solution such as DSL or cable.
Protect Information on Patients
Under patient privacy laws, a practice that doesn't provide sufficient data security could be held liable if patient information is stolen. Although practice management software may include some security features, the bulk of the security is in the network itself. Modern ISPs are secure so the weak link in the chain is in the office network.
A medical office should use a hardware firewall as the best protection against intrusion. These should not be confused with the software firewall that may already be installed on your computer. A hardware firewall is a physical device that acts as a buffer between your office network and the internet. If a hacker manages to break into your network, the hardware firewall will stop the intruder cold.
All computers using practice management software should have virus and spyware scanners, but these programs must be maintained to remain effective. New malware appears daily and security software that is not regularly updated will become ineffective.
For your practice management software to work best, it needs a fast, reliable and secure internet connection.
