Reinforcing Resilience in Rural Healthcare Networks
In the realm of healthcare, technology is proving to be a game-changer, particularly in rural areas where resources can be limited. Two notable examples are CalvertHealth in rural southern Maryland and St. Lawrence Health, both of which are leveraging technology to optimise workforce management, automate administrative tasks, enhance care coordination, and expand patient access through telehealth and AI.
CalvertHealth, a health system that celebrated its centennial in 2019, has evolved from a single two-story building into multiple modernized facilities. The system, which is a major private employer in Calvert County, has faced unique cybersecurity challenges due to a troubling economic landscape and an increase in cyberattacks. However, the health system has been proactive in addressing these challenges.
In late 2019, Rich Ingersoll joined St. Lawrence Health as director of systems engineering and architecture. Ingersoll's arrival coincided with significant investments in modern tools and services, including managed detection and response from Arctic Wolf, secure remote access with multifactor authentication, and governance, risk management, and compliance software.
CalvertHealth, on the other hand, has implemented a cloud-based backup solution for its electronic health records (EHR) system, resulting in a recovery time of less than four hours. This has been a crucial factor in maintaining operations during emergency situations. In fact, the health system has conducted two failover tests without anyone noticing since migrating its EHR recovery site to Amazon Web Services.
Workforce management platforms are a key component of this transformation. These platforms enable rural hospitals to create efficient schedules, maximise staff utilisation, and make informed labor decisions by providing real-time data on staffing and resource use. This helps facilities serve more patients without overburdening staff, a crucial aspect in areas where recruiting personnel can be challenging.
AI-powered clinical documentation and automation also play a significant role. For example, Oracle's AI technology at Patterson Health Center in Kansas automates clinical documentation, supports digital patient records, and streamlines communication via patient portals—leading to better care coordination and financial efficiency.
Artificial intelligence tools, such as automated phone agents, can handle patient calls quickly and securely, improving patient-provider contact and reducing front desk workload. This ensures consistent communication even with limited staff and helps maintain patient access to care.
Telehealth platforms bridge geographic barriers, allowing rural patients to connect with specialists remotely. For instance, Sanford Health's tele-emergency services let rural staff consult specialists in real-time for critical cases like stroke or trauma, improving outcomes and compensating for local specialist shortages.
Despite facing a Ryuk-variant ransomware attack in October 2020, both CalvertHealth and St. Lawrence Health were able to implement continuity of care and never lost EHR access in their clinics during the attack. These incidents serve as learning opportunities, helping these health systems to strengthen their cybersecurity measures.
In a challenging rural healthcare landscape, where over 135 hospitals closed between 2010 and 2021, according to the American Hospital Association, with more hospitals at risk in the coming years, technology is proving to be a valuable asset. By enabling smarter scheduling, reducing administrative burden, improving communication, and expanding remote care capabilities, technology helps rural healthcare facilities overcome staffing challenges and deliver better care to underserved communities.
- CalvertHealth, in its evolution from a single facility to multiple modernized ones, has tackled unique cybersecurity challenges, proactively addressing them by implementing a cloud-based backup solution for its electronic health records (EHR) system.
- In the realm of health and wellness, artificial intelligence (AI) tools like automated phone agents are being utilized to handle patient calls efficiently, improving patient-provider contact, and reducing front desk workload.
- Amidst the increase in cyberattacks, St. Lawrence Health, in response, has made significant investments in technology, such as managed detection and response from Arctic Wolf, secure remote access with multifactor authentication, and governance, risk management, and compliance software.
