Safeguarding Patient Care: Info-Tech Research Group Publishes Insights on Business Continuity Plan Benefits in the Healthcare Industry

In its latest research, Info-Tech Research Group explains the intricate challenges inherent in the healthcare industry's pursuit of business continuity planning (BCP). Amid regulatory complexities, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and supply chain disruptions, healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies grapple with unique obstacles. The global IT research and advisory firm delves into these complexities in a new industry resource, offering tailored strategies to IT leaders to fortify resilience and navigate the ever-evolving healthcare landscape effectively.

TORONTO, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - As the healthcare industry continues to face unprecedented challenges, including recovery from global health outbreaks and cyberattacks, having a well-defined business continuity plan (BCP) is becoming increasingly important. To address the industry's critical need, Info-Tech Research Group has published its latest blueprint, Develop a Business Continuity Plan for Healthcare, a research-backed resource that is intended to empower IT leaders in the healthcare industry with the necessary skills and organizational knowledge to successfully lead BCP initiatives.

This research highlights the intricate nature of business continuity planning within the highly regulated healthcare industry, underscoring its complexity compared to other sectors. Moreover, the industry's heavy reliance on crucial technologies, including telecommunications, electronic medical records (EMR), and cybersecurity tools, underscores the imperative for robust business continuity and disaster recovery planning.

"In the healthcare industry, the commitment to and investment in business continuity planning play pivotal roles in ensuring the availability of resources during crises," explains Andrew Sharp, senior research analyst at Info-Tech Research Group. "A lack of commitment can lead to insufficiencies in staff, technology, and overall BCP investment, hampering a business' ability to effectively respond to potential disruptions. This situation highlights the critical need for healthcare organizations to prioritize and allocate resources for robust BCP strategies, safeguarding their ability to maintain essential healthcare services in times of uncertainty."

In addition, pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers heavily depend on vendors and suppliers, emphasizing the need for meticulous management of logistics to ensure the seamless operation of diverse departments and business units even during times of crisis.

"The spectrum of potential threats to business processes is vast and interconnected, from pandemics to supply chain disruptions. Attempting to address all these challenges at once can feel overwhelming," says Frank Trovato, research director at Info-Tech Research Group. "IT leaders must streamline their BCP project by focusing on one business unit at a time and keeping efforts manageable while establishing a repeatable process. Rather than exhaustive risk analysis, it's important to prioritize strategies for swift recovery following disruptions. It's also important to keep BCP documentation concise, using flowcharts, checklists, and diagrams to facilitate clear guidance."

The Develop a Business Continuity Plan for Healthcare blueprint emphasizes the importance of a structured and repeatable approach for BCP. The firm advocates for the creation of a template that the rest of the organization can use, enabling business leaders to actively engage in and own BCP efforts. To create an effective BCP, Info-Tech Research Group recommends for healthcare IT leaders the following approach, which is outlined in the new resource:

• Start with one critical business unit to manage scope, establish a repeatable process, and generate deliverables that become a template for the remaining business units.
• Resolve critical gaps as they are identified to generate early value and risk mitigation.
• Create concise, practical documentation to support recovery.

By embedding a culture of strategic resilience and proactive planning, healthcare organizations can navigate beyond the traditional challenges of business continuity management. The collaboration between IT leaders and healthcare executives in building comprehensive business continuity plans ensures not just an immediate safeguard against operational disruptions but also a long-term enhancement of healthcare delivery resilience. This approach can help address the current spectrum of challenges and lays out a foundation for thriving in the ever-changing healthcare landscape.

For exclusive and timely commentary from Andrew Sharp or Frank Trovato, experts in the healthcare industry, and access to the complete Develop a Business Continuity Plan for Healthcare blueprint, please contact [email protected].

Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading information technology research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 professionals. The company produces unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For more than 25 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with IT teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected]. 

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.

SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group