Interview: IT Manager Discusses Strategies Utilized by a Small Healthcare Facility in Minnesota During the Pandemic
In the heart of rural Minnesota, North Valley Health Center has shown remarkable resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. As IT Manager, Josh Benson has led the charge in adapting the health center's operations to meet the unprecedented demands of the crisis.
Embracing flexibility has been key to North Valley Health Center's success. By involving nurses, medical staff, and lab technicians in problem-solving, the team was able to rapidly adapt when the need arose for drive-through coronavirus testing. An ambulance garage was altered to accommodate this new service, demonstrating the centre's agility in the face of adversity.
Communication has been crucial across multiple disciplines, particularly early on in the pandemic. Understanding the needs of stakeholders has allowed for more difficult conversations about compromises that may need to be made for remote flexibility.
In February, Josh Benson discussed these changes in a CDW Tech Talk, highlighting the focus on rapid digital transformation. This included expanding telehealth capabilities, ensuring cybersecurity in remote work settings, optimising electronic health records for new workflows, and supporting data analytics for pandemic response. Adapting infrastructure to handle increased virtual visits and coordinating technology deployments that enable continuity of care while minimising infection risks were also essential.
When an issue with costly shipping arose, CDW provided the equipment for drive-through testing free of charge. North Valley Health Center also reached out to CDW for help with mobile carts and Ergotron, further demonstrating the partnership between the two organisations.
Looking ahead, North Valley Health Center has learned a lot about processes and what they want to do going forward from their experiences during the pandemic. Their IT strategy should prioritise flexibility and communication for future projects. The team has been fortunate to have a supportive administration, and they are aware of their strengths and where they needed help during the pandemic.
Josh Benson's talk with Keara Dowd, senior editor at BizTech, provides a valuable insight into the challenges North Valley Health Center faced and the solutions they implemented during the pandemic. For those interested in more precise key points from the CDW Tech Talk, the video or transcript can be accessed directly from CDW's official channels or by contacting North Valley Health Center for related materials.
Technology played a significant role in North Valley Health Center's adaptability during the COVID-19 pandemic. Josh Benson, as IT Manager, spearheaded digital transformation efforts, focusing on expanding telehealth capabilities, securing remote work settings, optimizing electronic health records, and supporting data analytics for pandemic response.
