Maimonides Medical Center Turns to Verizon to Boost Security of Health Care Data

Partnering with Verizon, Maimonides Medical Center continues to pioneer the transformation of health information technology and the protection of patient information.

The Brooklyn-based hospital system recently turned to Verizon Connected Healthcare Solutions to conduct a comprehensive review of its network infrastructure to address complex patient data privacy requirements as mandated by the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Verizon Connected Healthcare Solutions, a newly formed practice group drawing from expertise and resources across Verizon, delivers advanced IT solutions and professional services designed for the health care industry, including hospitals, medical providers and insurers/payers, as well as pharmaceutical and life science companies.

(Note:  Listen to an audio podcast on Verizon Connected Healthcare Solutions.)

Verizon Connected Healthcare Solutions IT professionals reviewed Maimonides' wired and wireless network architecture to help address HIPAA security requirements.  Additionally, specialized penetration testing was conducted on the hospital's wireless network to help protect against rogue or unauthorized access that could compromise patient and other critical data.

"As the health care industry moves toward the widespread adoption of electronic medical records, patient privacy and the protection of data from cyber attacks have become major concerns," said Blair Crump, group president - worldwide sales, Verizon Business.  "By leveraging Verizon's broad portfolio of health care-oriented services, as well as our security and professional services expertise, Maimonides is advancing its operations and enhancing health care for patients."

A long-standing Verizon customer, Maimonides uses a wide range of advanced Verizon wireline and wireless services to enhance the speed, security and reliability of access to critical health care data in order to help streamline delivery and access to health care services.  In addition, the Maimonides-led Brooklyn Health Information Exchange (BHIX), a consortium of 10 Brooklyn-based health care organizations representing the full continuum of medical care, is using the Verizon-provided Maimonides network to transform the delivery of health care services through ongoing regional collaboration.

"Maimonides takes great pride in the progress it has made to truly transform the delivery of health care through the use of advanced information technologies," said Walter Fahey, chief information officer, Maimonides Medical Center.  "Our long-standing collaboration with Verizon is one of the keys to our success.  Working closely with Verizon, we have deployed advanced networks and integrated critical health care applications.  This important work touches every area of our operations, and helps us effectively deliver health care to our patients."

New Wireless Applications Lead to Gains for Maimonides and Its Patients

An early adopter of wireless technology, Maimonides continues to innovate by deploying this flexible technology to enhance patient care.  Working with Verizon Connected Healthcare Solutions, the hospital has added wireless capabilities, including providing emergency room staff with personal digital assistants and using hospital carts equipped with laptop computers to streamline the gathering of patient data. 

Wireless technology is also used to power electronic "chalkboards" that keep emergency room staff updated on patient status and inform physicians when radiology and other test results are ready for review.  By eliminating the use of paper-based documentation and forms, physicians, nurses and lab technicians are able to collaborate and share information more effectively, helping to shorten diagnostic intervals and reduce the possibility of medical errors.

Regional Health Information Exchange Attracts 20,000 Patients in Five Months

A high-capacity, resilient optical network provided by Verizon also connects Maimonides with the BHIX, a regional health information exchange spearheaded by Maimonides.  Designed to meet the federal call to action to transform health care delivery, BHIX members securely share patient information, including laboratory test results, medication records and patient care background, via electronic medical records transferred between participating health care organizations. 

By spurring the adoption of a common health care information platform, supported by shared policies, as well as privacy and security standards, the BHIX has created a sustainable and replicable business model.  Launched in October 2008, the BHIX enrolled more than 20,000 patients in just five months, exceeding the original target by more than 20 percent.

By leveraging its IT expertise and world-class networks, Verizon Connected Healthcare Solutions provides innovative wireless and wired solutions to help transform the delivery of patient care, better manage costs, enhance access to services, and provide data privacy.  The Verizon IT services portfolio includes a broad array of security, hosting, storage, collaboration, networking and managed and professional services, as well as customized applications, to meet the unique, and often complex requirements of the health care industry.

(Note:  See related announcement on new health care security offerings available through Verizon Connected Healthcare Solutions.  A case study on Maimonides Medical Center is also available.)

About Maimonides Medical Center
Maimonides Medical Center is a thriving non-profit, non-sectarian hospital that is the pre-eminent treatment facility and academic medical center in Brooklyn - and among the best in the country. Serving people of all faiths and backgrounds from the incredibly diverse population of Brooklyn, the Medical Center has 705 beds, a staff of renowned physicians and more than 70 primary care and sub-specialty programs. In 2008, the Medical Center serviced nearly 100,000 emergency room visits, received more than 240,000 ambulatory care visits, and delivered over 7,200 babies - more than any other single-campus hospital in the state of New York.

About Brooklyn Health Information Exchange
The Brooklyn Health Information Exchange (BHIX) is part of an innovative statewide and nationwide effort to improve our healthcare system through the use of secure and interoperable health information technology.  BHIX empowers consumers to allow doctors, nurses and other health care professionals more timely access to their electronic health information.  By getting the right information to the right place at the right time, BHIX promotes improvements in the quality, safety and efficiency of medical care.

About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a global leader in communications and IT solutions. We combine professional expertise with the world's most connected IP network to deliver award-winning communications, IT, information security and network solutions.  We securely connect today's extended enterprises of widespread and mobile customers, partners, suppliers and employees - enabling them to increase productivity and efficiency and help preserve the environment.  Many of the world's largest businesses and governments - including 96 percent of the Fortune 1000 and thousands of government agencies and educational institutions - rely on our professional and managed services and network technologies to accelerate their business. Find out more at www.verizonbusiness.com.

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